updating software for macbook air 2013

To be clear, software update is a revision of 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 replaces the current macOS with a newer, differently named version; 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.

Use Software Update to update or upgrade macOS, including built-in apps like Safari. 

Please see >: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

❗️ 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

Your 2013 MacBook Air can be upgraded to the latest version of macOS 11 Big Sur.

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 10.13 High Sierra is compatible with the Macs listed here

➡️ macOS 10.14 Mojave is compatible with the Macs listed here

➡️ macOS 10.15 Catalina is compatible with the Macs listed here

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

❗️ – IMPORTANT – None of your 32-bit apps will work in macOS Catalina or newer.

32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later - Apple Support

Use the free utility Go64 to check the compatibility of your apps:

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

✅ - IF your Mac is compatible, then download the macOS upgrade installer app:

Click > Mojave,  Catalina,  Big Sur.

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

Please see > How to download macOS.

Back up your data, check the application compatibility table, click here, and then on the download link for a more-recent OS. That model's maximum one is Big Sur.

Catalina and higher won't run 32-bit software; if you upgrade to one of them, use Go64 as well.

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Here are your choices my friend, make certain you have a good backup or two before you start...

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/