Can I upgrade to Big Sur instead of Monterey?

The age of your Mac will determine what you can upgrade too. View the Apple () menu > About this Mac panel and note the contents in parenthesis on that panel. Compare that to the hardware requirements for Big Sur, and failing that, Catalina on How to get old versions of macOS. Use only the Safari browser on that link. If your Mac is hardware compatible with Big Sur, there is a link on that webpage that will take you to the full Big Sur installer location in the Mac App Store, where you can download it into your /Applications folder.

Note: You will need 35.5 GB of available storage on your Mac in order to install Big Sur. Also, unlike Mojave, it supports no 32-bit applications which could leave some application dependencies behind. Use the free Go64 application to get a list of these 32-bit applications before you upgrade.

Perform a Time Machine backup prior to your upgrade, and then do not reuse that drive with the new operating system.

Tips How to Upgrade to Big Sur 

There are several points to consider before attempting the upgrade to Big Sur. The most important is Due Diligence on the part of the User and is a Prerequisite for a smooth upgrade.  

The below points should all be consider Before attempting the upgrade.

Point # 1 - Are there pre-existing Unresolved Software Issues. They should be resolved prior to upgrading - they may carryover to Big Sur making the system unstable / unusable.

Point # 2 - Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation. The The Built in Security  is all that is required.

Point # 2 A - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect.

Point # 3 - What are the How to get old versions of macOS  ie: Empty Space Requirements specific to the Big Sur. Apple states 35.6 GB Empty Space but suggest 50 GB

Point # 4 - Does the intended computer qualify for the upgrade.

Point # 5 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Big Sur. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extension or do they offer updates. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.

Point # 6 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Big Sur does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.

Point # 6A - To check for 32 bit Applications - a good application to use is Go64 - safe to use.

Point # 7 - Do I have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS. For addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site

Point # 8  - To upgrade to Big Sur will requires a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. 

If not available and using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Big Sur.

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful information!

When I try to upgrade to Big Sur (via the link How to get old versions of macOS), it opens the Mac App Store and shows Big Sur page. I click "Get" and it opens the update panel inside of System Preferences > it goes "Checking updates..." and says that the version is not available and returns me to Monterey.

Is there any other legit way of getting the install files of Big Sur? (by legit, I obviously mean not using any of the fishy third-party websites that propose to download the .dmg files from even fishier file sharing services...).

Thanks!

There is a a Senior Contributor who has tested and confirmed - the error message is not accurate. If one tries again and allow it to process normally, if will eventually start the download of Big Sur.

Have not attempted to duplicate this but the Contributor is very reliable and trustworthy.

Please refer to this posting and look for contributor @Barney-15E https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253329756

i had same issues, but i try to update to catalinabeforen then i try to open this link https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683 and choose the big sur link, then app store showing bigsur download window, and now i updated to big sur

FWIW I just upgraded from Big Sur 11.6.1 to Monterey and the Monterey OS fixed some bugs in Big Sur and works much better.