macOS - How to Upgrade (2024)

When you upgrade to macOSCatalina, you get more of everything you love about Mac. Experience dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features in the apps you use every day. And Sidecar, which lets you use iPad as a second Mac display. Best of all, upgrading is free and easy.

Chances are, yourMaccan run macOSCatalina.

Mac computers with Metal-capable graphics processors (GPUs) can upgrade tomacOSCatalina.

Check yourMac hardware

Make sure you’re ready toupgrade.

Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up yourMac. Then, if yourMac is running OSXMavericks10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOSCatalina.

Learn how to back up yourMac

Upgrading is free. And easier than youthink.

Upgrading from macOSMojave?

Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find the macOSCatalina upgrade. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade.

Upgrading from an older version of macOS?

If you’re running HighSierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or ElCapitan (10.11), upgrade to macOSCatalina from the AppStore. If you’re running Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8), you will need to upgrade to ElCapitan (10.11) first.

Learn more about how to upgrade to macOSCatalina

• OSX10.9 or later
• 4GB ofmemory
• 12.5GB of available storage (OSXElCapitan10.11.5 orlater)*

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

Dictation and Voice Memos

Requires a microphone (built-in or external).

Spotlight Suggestions

Requires a broadband internet connection.

Gestures

Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, ForceTouch trackpad, MagicTrackpad, or MagicMouse.

ForceTouch gestures require a ForceTouch trackpad.

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.

AppleTV

High Dynamic Range(HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBookPro(2018 or newer)
• iMacPro (2017)
• MacPro (2019) with ProDisplayXDR

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

• MacBookAir(2018 or newer)
• MacBookPro(2018 or newer)

Sidecar

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook (2016 or newer)
• MacBookAir (2018 or newer)
• MacBookPro(2016 or newer)
• Macmini (2018 or newer)
• iMac (late 2015 or newer)
• iMacPro (2017 or newer)
• MacPro (2019)

Supported by all iPad models with ApplePencil support:

• 12.9-inch iPadPro
• 11-inch iPadPro
• 10.5-inch iPadPro
• 9.7-inch iPadPro
• iPad (6th generation or later)
• iPadmini (5th generation)
• iPadAir (3rd generation)

ContinuityCamera

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS12 or later.

Continuity Sketch and ContinuityMarkup

Requires an iPhone with iOS13 or an iPad withiPadOS.

Handoff

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS8 or later.

Instant Hotspot

Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector, and iOS8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through yourcarrier.

Universal Clipboard

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS10 orlater.

Auto Unlock

Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 orlater.

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

Approve with Apple Watch

Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 orlater.

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

ApplePay on theWeb

Requires MacBookPro with TouchBar, an iPhone6 or later with iOS10 or later, or an AppleWatch with watchOS3 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 Lightning connector 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

Power Nap

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBookAir (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBookPro with Retina display (Mid 2012 ornewer)
• Macmini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMacPro (2017)
• MacPro (Late 2013 or newer)

Boot Camp

Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows10 on supported Macmodels.

Learnmore

Exchange Support

Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.

Windows Migration

Supports OSX 10.7 or later and Windows7 or later.

AppStore

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