Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My Mac doesn't give the option for Software Updates in the System Preferences window and I cannot update the Software in the App Store. What should I do?

My Mac doesn't give the option for Software Updates in the System Preferences window and I cannot update the Software in the App Store. What should I do?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Mar 1, 2023 6:00 PM

Reply
2 replies

Mar 1, 2023 7:13 PM in response to DripDryDynasty

Yes SW Upd didn't show up until Mojave 10.14.

And, you're looking for an Upgrade besides.


macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

  • OS X 10.8 or later
  • 2GB of memory
  • 14.3GB of available storage to perform upgrade*
  • Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
  • Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:

  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications

https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12

macappstores://apps.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12



macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.8 or later

2GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)


https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12


Thanks to MartinR Terminal command…

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.14.6


It will place a copy of the installer in your Applications folder and you can use that to create a bootable installer.


MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

How to download macOS - Apple Support


https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12


macappstores://apps.apple.com/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support


And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...


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


macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra or later*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Big Sur:

MacBook (2015 or later)

MacBook Air (2013 or later)

MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)

Mac mini (2014 or later)

iMac (2014 or later)

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro (2013 or later)

Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12


And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...


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


Monterey…

macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support


  • iMac – all models from late 2015, iMac 16,1 – 20,2
  • iMac Pro – all models, iMac Pro 1,1
  • MacBook & MacBook Retina – all models from early 2016, MacBook 9,1 – 10,1
  • MacBook Pro – all models from early 2015, MacBook Pro 12,1 – 17,1
  • MacBookAir – all models from early 2015, MacBook Air 7,1 – 10,1
  • Mac Mini – all models from 2014, Mac Mini 7,1 – 9,1
  • Mac Pro – all models from 2013, Mac Pro 6,1 – 7,1



https://wpbeaches.com/apple-minimum-system-requirements-for-macos-monterey-12/


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-monterey/id1576738294


macOS Monterey on the App Store (apple.com)


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-monterey/id1576738294?mt=12


Mar 1, 2023 7:36 PM in response to DripDryDynasty

DripDryDynasty Said:

"My Mac doesn't give the option for Software Updates in the System Preferences window and I cannot update the Software in the App Store. What should I do?"

--------


Update Using a Temp Admin User:

If you cannot update the Mac, create a new Administrator user (for temporary use), seeing if you can then perform the upgrade. Once upgraded, log in to your current user, and trash this one you created to install the update.

My Mac doesn't give the option for Software Updates in the System Preferences window and I cannot update the Software in the App Store. What should I do?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.