Apple does a big update of macOS ( the operating organisation that runs on Macs ) once a year , institute new features and user interface tweaks . One of these major macOS update arrive on September 16 , 2024 . In this article , we will offer up you counsel on how to install macOS Sequoia . We ’ll also explain what to do if you experience any of the common issues that can rise when a new version of macOS is installed and how to avoid those effect in the first plaza .

Updating your Mac is easy , liberal , and not almost as time - consuming as it used to be , but there are a few thing we recommend you do first to prepare your Mac , so we recommend that you also readhow to get your Mac quick for macOS Sequoia .

Despite the ease of induction for most , some people do receive issues , so we ’ll feed through the potential headache and any trouble you may encounter and how to fix any trouble meet while updating your Mac . If things get really complicated we also have : Fixes for Macs that wo n’t update macOS .

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Software Update in System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) will alert you to the Sequoia update,

But we are n’t only concerned in Sequoia . There are other old versions of macOS , including Sonoma , Ventura , and Monterey that you may also wish to update , perhaps on an old Mac , or on a Mac that ca n’t run Sequoia . So , we also include advice below to help with that , as well as in a separate story aboutHow to download old versions of macOS .

If you fancy trying out new macOS features before they are released to the general world , you might wish tojoin Apple ’s beta - testing program . We coverHow to deploy the macOS betaseparately .

When is macOS Sequoia coming out?

Sequoia arrived on September 16 , 2024 . Mac substance abuser with compatible Macs will be able to download and install it , but Apple often rolls a major update like this out in phases to manage the traffic to its servers , so its handiness to you may not be straightaway .

Should I update my Mac to Sequoia?

Wondering if you should update toSequoiaat all ? Before you start the update we urge you do the following :

look into ourmacOS Sequoia vs Sonoma guideto detect out how it compare to the previous version .

Confirm that your Mac can run Sequoia . See : macOS 15 Sequoia compatibility : Can your Mac start the new version of macOS ?

macOS Sequoia Software Update

Software Update in System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) will alert you to the Sequoia update,

You may be concerned that you have some software package that you need to use that may not work in the Modern operating system . Luckily there are a few ways you could test out Sequoiawithout removing an older version of macOS from your Mac , find outHow to carry macOS on an external hard driveorHow to dual - the boot two Mac Operating Systems on your Mac .

Even if none of the above are understanding for you not to instal , you may still require to wait a while . It ’s often the case that the first people to download a new operating system experience problem , despite the beta program that has seen thousands of the great unwashed launch the software program on their Macs already . Our advice is that if you are at all conservative then expect a few weeks before you download the new operating system . wait a while also has the add benefit of it meaning you are n’t judge to download the software from Apple ’s servers at the same time as everyone else , which can make the whole outgrowth very deadening and frustrative . We will be log any issues or problems we hear about in ourmacOS Sequoia guidebook .

Read on to determine out how to upgrade your Mac and install   Sequoia .

macOS Sonoma App Store

Apple keeps older versions of macOS that are compatible with your Mac in the App Store.

How to install macOS Sequoia on your Mac

We ’ll lead through all the steps to download and instal Sequoia on your Mac below . The procedure depends on the variant of macOS you are presently run , so we will overlay the different ways .

Step 1: Find the macOS Sequoia Update

You may see a apprisal on your Mac that an update is available , in which case you may press Install .

In Sonoma or Ventura : If you are run Sonoma , penetrate on the Apple logo in the bill of fare at the top of your screen and chooseSystem preferences > General > Software Updateand your Mac will look for for the update .   You may also see aSofware Update Availablealert in the left tower of System preferences .

Software Update in System configurations ( macOS Ventura and later ) will alert you to the Sequoia update ,

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Pre Ventura : tick on the Apple logo in the menu at the top of your screenland and chooseSoftware Updateand your Mac will research for the update . Alternatively , openSystem Preferencesand chooseSoftware Update . await while your computer checks for updates .

Much honest-to-god version of macOS update via the Mac App Store .

Step 2: Download the macOS update

Assuming you see the macOS update , the process to download it turn as follows :

Step 3: Install the macOS update

If you are all mark to set up the update to macOS , and do n’t mind your Mac being out of action for a while ( it can take hours on a launch night ! ) embark on the installation .

What to do if your Mac won’t update macOS

While you should n’t encounter problem if you have made indisputable your Mac is gear up for the macOS update and readhow to get your Mac quick for macOS , it is possible you will encounter issues . Here ’s an account of the problems you might encounter – in most cases the best root is to essay again later .

For more advice about what to do if you encounter problem readFixes for Macs that wo n’t update macOS .

How long will the macOS update take?

It can vary , base on your net connection and how many people are also trying to get the update . For example , when we essay updating macOS Big Sur four twelvemonth ago , our Mac said it would take 10 hours to download the 11.98 GB single file . When upgrading to Ventura in 2022 , the download was 6.37 GB . So be prepared to wait a while for Sequoia , Sonoma , Ventura , Monterey or any other version of macOS downloads , especially if you are on a poor Wi - Fi internet .

You may want to leave your Mac download the operating organization update overnight . And that ’s before you even start the installation at which point you wo n’t even be able to use your Mac . Expect the actual induction to take up to an hour – it can go faster than that , but do n’t expect it to be done in a few minutes .

How to update an older version of macOS

Not everyone is update to the latest interpretation of macOS , so we will cross the other options below .

How to update to Sonmoa (not Sequoia)

If you are consort Ventura on your Mac and can update to Sequoia you will only see the Sequoia update as an option . What if you desire to update to Sonoma instead ? Here ’s what to do :

How to update to Ventura (not Sonoma)

If you are running Monterey on your Mac and can update to Sonoma you will see the Sonoma update as an option . What if you desire to update to Ventura instead ? Here ’s what to do :

Updating from Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina or Mojave

If you are prevail any of the above version of macOS you will be able to install a new version of macOS viaSystem Preferences > Software Updatefollowing the process outlined above , as long as your Mac supports the update .

For aid getting hold of those variant of the macOS read : How to download sometime versions of macOS .

Updating macOS using the Mac App Store

If you ’re run away High Sierra or an older version of macOS you will need to update macOS via the Mac App Store . You should be capable to find the adaptation of macOS you are after using one of the links below ( if you do n’t see it we commend close and re - opening the Mac App Store ) .

You may opt to find the macOS installer using this method acting if you have already set up the version of macOS on your Mac and want tomake a bootable macOS installerso you could establish it on a number of Macs .

If you are hoping to install an even quondam version of the Mac operating system we explicate how to do this here : How to get older interlingual rendition of macOS or OS X. The section below will explicate how to update via the Mac App Store .

For info about Apple ’s terms and conditions for using macOS read : Should you check to Apple ’s terms and term ?

Apple restrain older versions of macOS that are compatible with your Mac in the App Store .

Decided you wished you had n’t done it ? Read : How to downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma