macOS - How to Upgrade (2024)

macOSBigSur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. Geteven more transparency around yourprivacy.

Chances are, your Mac can run macOSBigSur

The following models are supported:

• 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)

To see which model you have, click the Apple icon in your menu bar and choose About This Mac.

Learn more about which models are compatible

Make sure you’re ready toupgrade.

Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. If your Mac is running OSXMavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOSBigSur. You’ll need the following:

• OSX10.9 or later
• 4GB of memory
• 35.5GB available storage on macOSSierra or later*
• Some features require an AppleID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Learn how to back up your Mac

Upgrading is free and easy

Upgrading from macOSCatalina 10.15 or Mojave 10.14?

Go to Software Update in SystemPreferences to find macOSBigSur. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreeninstructions.

Upgrading from an older version of macOS?

If you’re running any release from macOS 10.13 to 10.9, you canupgrade to macOSBigSur from the AppStore. If you’re running Mountain Lion 10.8, you will need to upgrade to ElCapitan10.11first.

If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any AppleStore.

Learn more about howtoupgrade

• OSX10.9 or later
• 4GB ofmemory
• 35.5GB available storage on macOSSierra orlater*

• Some features require an AppleID; termsapply.
• Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees mayapply.

Dictation, Voice Control, and VoiceMemos

Requires a microphone (built‑in orexternal).

Spotlight Suggestions

Requires a broadband internet connection.

Gestures

Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, ForceTouch trackpad, MagicTrackpad, orMagicMouse.

Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.

VoiceOver gestures require a Multi-Touch trackpad, ForceTouch trackpad, orMagicTrackpad.

Photo Booth

Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built‑in or external) or USB video class (UVC) camera.

FaceTime

Audio calls require a microphone (built‑in or external) and broadband internetconnection.

Video calls require a built-in FaceTimecamera, an iSightcamera (built‑in or external), or a USB video class (UVC)camera, and broadband internetconnection.

Apple TV

High dynamic range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBookPro(2018 or later)
• iMacPro (2017 or later)
• MacPro (2019) with Pro Display XDR

Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBookAir(2018 or later)
• MacBookPro(2018 or later)

Sidecar

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook (2016 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• MacBookPro(2016 or later)
• Mac mini (2018 or later)
• iMac (late 2015 or later)
• iMacPro (2017 or later)
• MacPro (2019)

Supported by all iPad models with ApplePencil support:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• 11-inch iPad Pro
• 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro
• iPad (6th generation or later)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation)

ContinuityCamera

Requires an iPhone or iPad that supports iOS 12 or later.

Continuity Sketch and ContinuityMarkup

Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 orlater, or an iPad with iPadOS 13 orlater.

Handoff

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightningconnector or with USB-C and iOS8 or later.

Instant Hotspot

Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightningconnector or USB-C, and iOS8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through yourcarrier.

Universal Clipboard

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightningconnector or with USB-C and iOS10 orlater.

Auto Unlock

Requires an AppleWatch with watchOS3 or later, or an iPhone5 orlater.

Approve with Apple Watch

Requires an AppleWatch with watchOS6 or later, or an iPhone6s or later with iOS13 orlater.

Phone Calling

Requires an iPhone with iOS8 or later and an activated carrier plan.

SMS

Requires an iPhone with iOS8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.

Home

Requires an iPhone with iOS12 or later and a configured Homeapp.

AirDrop

AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightningconnector, or with USB-C and iOS7 or later.

AirPlay

AirPlay Mirroring requires an AppleTV (2nd generation or later).

AirPlay for web video requires an AppleTV (2nd generation or later).

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an AppleTV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with AppleTV software 7.0 or later.

Time Machine

Requires an external storage device (soldseparately).

Learnmore

Maps electric vehicle routing

Requires an iPhone with iOS14 and a compatible electric vehicle.

Boot Camp

Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows10 on supported Macmodels.

Learnmore

Exchange Support

Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latestService Packs is recommended.

Windows Migration

Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows7 or later.

AppStore

Available only to persons age 13 or older inthe U.S. and many other countries andregions.

Photos

The improved Retouch tool is supported on the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro (15-inch and 16-inch models) introduced in 2016 or later
• iMac (Retina 5K models) introduced in 2014 or later
• iMac (Retina 4K models) introduced in 2017 or later
• iMac Pro (2017 or later)
• Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later