I do not see Software Update on the System Preferences. How do I check for an update on a Mac?

What does it say in the App Store app? Note it may only look for updates to the El Capitan you are running, not upgrades to other major OS versions. If you want those...

We can provide more specific advice if we know more about your computer model, age, and specifications. To get more information about your computer choose Apple menu  > 'About This Mac' in the upper left corner of any window, then "More Info..." or "System Report". Copy and paste the information here, but omit the serial number and UUIDs (if present). More about this in "About System Information [Profiler] on your Mac" - https://support.apple.com/HT203001

You can also use your computer information and the links below to yourself determine what is possible with your computer.

Click on this link to read how to get other versions of macOS - https://support.apple.com/HT211683

- This article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. Note some of the model identifier articles are outdated. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements for each OS version links instead. Also make sure you have more RAM than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.

- You may find you need to use Safari to get any links using the Mac App Store application to open a functioning page.

Back up your data in case something goes wrong --> Back up your Mac with Time Machine - https://support.apple.com/HT201250 or use a cloning tool.

Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer.

Karen4Karen Said:

"I do not see Software Update on the System Preferences. How do I check for an update on a Mac? There is no Software Update in the System Preferences. How do I check for an OS update on a Mac?"

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Updating from Yosemite:

Upgrade to High Sierra First:

If updates are not showing up, then you need update to High Sierra (macOS 10.13) first. Then proceed with an update to something thereafter (if an option). Get the installs here: How to Get Old Versions of macOS - Apple Support

IMPORTANT: Create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac, that way you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong with the upgrade.

I'm sorry, did I miss something in my post half an hour previously? If so, please add any new information. The links I already provided have information for upgrading to all supported system versions with information on how to get the current computer configuration and see what it can run. Incidentally, according to the documentation all can be upgraded directly from El Capitan.

Limnos Said:

"I'm sorry, did I miss something in my post half an hour previously? If so, please add any new information. The links I already provided have information for upgrading to all supported system versions with information on how to get the current computer configuration and see what it can run. Incidentally, according to the documentation all can be upgraded directly from El Capitan."

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Nothing of High Sierra was mentioned. That is the point being of my reply.

please can you help me because i have the same question. my iMac is mid-2011 and running on MacOS Sierra.

Below is the system report. Please point me to the right direction on how to upgrade.

Model Name: iMac

  Model Identifier: iMac12,2

  Processor Name: Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed: 2.7 GHz

  Number of Processors: 1

  Total Number of Cores: 4

  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

  L3 Cache: 6 MB

  Memory: 4 GB

  Boot ROM Version: 87.0.0.0.0

  SMC Version (system): 1.72f2

Hi teeguy,

It will be a lot easier and less confusing if you post about your computer in a new topic, otherwise instructions we provide to guide the original poster may be confused with yours. Thanks!

P.S. Personally with only 4 GB RAM I don't know if I would upgrade OS. 4 has always been on the low end for any OS in the past 10 years. I guess it is okay if you only keep one app open at a time and it isn't a very demanding one.

Didn't think it needed addressing specifically. All higher system versions are discussed in the link just a click away. The OP's information says the computer is currently running El Capitan.

Upgrade to High Sierra First:

Would you please post a link stating that one needs to upgrade to High Sierra first? None of the articles I am familiar with show that requirement.