Can I upgrade directly from Mojave to Monterey?

I recently went from mojave to bug sur 11.6 when it came out. Performance was a bit degraded but wasn't as bad as the earlier bug sur versions. It was definitely tolerable so I decided to stay

Moved to montelame since reddit/this site was praising it. It's substantially better performing and even better than Mojave.

That being said, i still have a copy of my mojave install archived just in case

If you're using macOS Mojave or later, you can get macOS Monterey via Software Update: Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Software Update. Or use this link to open the macOS Monterey page on the App Store: Get macOS Monterey. Then click the Get button or iCloud download button.

After downloading, the installer opens automatically. Click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar or blank screen several times. It might be easier to begin in the evening so that installation can complete overnight.

After installing macOS Monterey, you will be notified when updates to macOS Monterey are available. To check for updates, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Software Update.

[Link Edited by Moderator]

In addition to all of the above, you may need to either change your HD to an SSD or add an NVMe to get faster response in startup and opening applications. You still have not said which year / model Mac Mini you have, so your results may vary.

When trying to upgrade from Mojave to Montery with a 27" iMac, (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)

3.2 GHz Intel Core i5

16 GB 1867 MHz DDR3

AMD Radeon R9 M380 2048 MB

I am getting the message that I don't have enough space to do it. I need to move or get rid of 28Gb of data. I have an iCloud account of 50 Gb, but have never used it and don't know how to access it. also, my wife heard that data can disappear from the cloud if "the cloud isn't left open". What does that mean? Can I not put things there and leave them safely?

You can upgrade directly if your computer's capable of Monterey.

(214293)

if you have a compatible mac , open this link in Safari Browser macOS Monterey - Apple (CA)

on top right corner it has upgrade button.

You can but remember that your older 32bit apps will no longer work so you will need to get updates for them or just delete if no longer needed.

iCloud should be used for syncing and not storing. If you delete files from your Mac then you may lose them in iCloud. If you need more room I would off load to another drive.