How do I update my Mac?

To be clear, software update generally means to install software that revises the macOS currently running on the Mac; update Catalina 10.15.1 to Catalina 10.15.7, for example.

To update your current macOS, click the Apple  icon > About This Mac and then click Software Updates.... If there are any updates available for your Mac, they will be listed and you can apply them when you like.  Software updates may be set to occur automatically.  If no updates are presented, then it may be assumed that none are available for your current OS.

A software upgrade is usually a generational step up to a newer macOS; upgrade from 10.13 High Sierra to 10.14 Mojave, for example, or from 10.15 Catalina to macOS 11 Big Sur.

Upgrades do not happen automatically. They must be initiated by a user with admin privileges.

❗️ Do NOT upgrade until you have made a Time Machine or other backup of your startup drive.

Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine

How to Upgrade  macOS:

The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the year your Mac was released.

Click the  (Apple) menu at the top of your screen and choose About This Mac.

Check the Compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS:

➡️ macOS 10.15 Catalina is compatible with the Macs listed here

➡️ macOS 11 Big Sur is compatible with the Macs listed here

➡️ macOS 12 Monterey is compatible with the Macs listed here

❗️ – IMPORTANT – None of your 32-bit apps will work in Catalina, Big Sur or Monterey.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436

If you currently run macOS Mojave or earlier, use the free utility Go64 to check compatibility of your apps:

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

✅ - IF your Mac and apps are compatible, then using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer app:

Click > Catalina,  Big Sur  or  Monterey.

Once downloaded, double-click the “Install macOS…” app in the Applications folder to begin the upgrade.

The model year of a MacBook Pro is available at Apple menu > About This Mac.

An Early 2008 through mid 2009 MacBook Pro can be upgraded to El Capitan 10.11.6 but no later version. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

A mid 2010 through late 2011 MacBook Pro can be upgraded to High Sierra 10.13.6 but no later version. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

A mid 2012 through early 2013 MacBook Pro can be upgraded to Catalina 10.15.7 but no later. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

A late 2013 and mid 2014 can be upgraded to the latest  version of Big Sur but no later. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

An early 2015 or later can be upgraded to the current version of Monterey. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212735