how do i update my mac

Click or tap on the following blue-text link for info > How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

If you post the specific Mac model and sub-model and year from 🍎 > About This Mac, somebody here can tell you what your upgrade options are, too.

Have a backup prior to upgrade.

If you upgrade past macOS 10.14 Mojave, you must have all your apps updated. 32-bit apps including Microsoft Office 2011 and earlier will not work on macOS 10.15 Catalina and later, for instance. If you need access to Office documents on macOS 10.15 or later, you will need Office 2016, Office 2019, the upcoming Office 2021, an Office 365 subscription, or an alternative such as the (free) LibreOffice app, or the Apple iWork apps that can read and write many Office documents.

The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are running.

Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.

Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.

Click on the  top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.

For older OS’s,

Open Safari and click on this link, 

How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support

Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.

Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.

Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.

Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.

If you want to or are able to install Big Sur, open Safari and click on the link below.

How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support

If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

gesan_90 Said:

"how do i update my Mac: how do i get the latest software"

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