I am trying to update my MacBook Air 2017 13" from OS 10 to a higher OS that can support Microsoft teams, etc. I click the apple button, then to system preferences, but there is no where that says "Software Update", and it offers nothing in the app store.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13
System Preferences> Software Update did not come to macOS until the introduction of macOS Mojave 10.14 in 2018.
The App Store Updates page only offers updates for the macOS you are running.
Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.
A MacBook Air from 2017 can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15
and macOs Big Sur 11.5
For Mojave or Catalina,
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.
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.
System Preferences> Software Update did not come to macOS until the introduction of macOS Mojave 10.14 in 2018.
The App Store Updates page only offers updates for the macOS you are running.
Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.
A MacBook Air from 2017 can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15
and macOs Big Sur 11.5
For Mojave or Catalina,
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.
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.
Click Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update
See the information in How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support
including the following in step 2:
Or use this link to open the macOS Big Sur page on the App Store: Get macOS Big Sur. Then click the Get button or iCloud download icon.
Issues with updating my MacBook Air 2017
