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Every year, Apple introduces a new macOS update with exciting features, but upgrading isn’t always seamless. From Reddit stories and personal experience, I’ve seen how updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues or slowdowns.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to properly prepare your Mac for an update, the best way to upgrade, and some apps that can make the process smoother.
| What went wrong? | Why did it happen? | How is it fixed? |
|---|---|---|
| Broken apps after update | Mac updated to incompatible software | Disable automatic system updates in System Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Setapp solution: Use CleanMyMac from Setapp to bulk-update all apps to their latest compatible versions after the OS update. |
| Mac running poorly after update | Outdated operating system or residual junk | Update via System Settings > General > Software Update. Setapp solution: Run CleanMyMac's Smart Care scan to clear caches, broken preferences, and leftover files the update left behind. |
| No update option for your Mac | Your Mac model is not supported by the new macOS | Check Apple's macOS compatibility list. Third-party patchers like OpenCore Legacy Patcher exist but are risky, unsupported by Apple, and may void your warranty — see the disclaimer section below. |
| Too many redundant files backed up | Used Time Machine (backs up everything by default) | Use Get Backup Pro from Setapp to create incremental backups and bootable clones — back up only the files you choose, on any schedule you set. |
| Progress stopped during update | Unreliable internet connection | Check your connection with WiFi Explorer from Setapp before starting the download — visual signal graphs, channel analysis, and interference detection. |
| Not enough storage for the update | macOS needs 26–44 GB free | Run CleanMyMac > Smart Care > Scan > Run. Removes system junk, caches, and large hidden files in minutes. |
Let's start with the simplest things. Apple designs its OS and software with the user in mind, ensuring everything is easy and intuitive. Updating macOS is no exception — it’s designed to be a straightforward process that anyone can handle.
Here is how to update a Mac:
That's all you need to do. Next time you're thinking "How do I upgrade my operating system on my Mac?" remember this simple process.
You can trigger your Mac to update automatically, but first, a word of caution. Many set their Mac to update automatically so they don't ask themselves "How do I update macOS?" every few months. It's typically fine to have your Mac update automatically, but there have been some features that break old apps in newer macOS builds. I would caution you to consider your needs; if you can't risk apps not working or perhaps files being shifted around, I would advise against automatic updates.
But for most, it's fine to automatically upgrade your Mac. Here's how to do that on macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma:
Note! For a Mac to automatically update, it must be connected to power.
As you can see, you have a bit of control here. You can choose to have your Mac check for updates automatically, but not download them. This is a smart choice for those who want a bit more control over when their Mac updates.
If your Mac runs macOS 13 Ventura and later, you have the privilege of receiving real-time security updates separately from regular macOS updates. Apple introduced this change to ensure your Mac always complies with the latest security standards and is less vulnerable to security breaches and malware, even if you don't update your macOS in time.
One thing to remember when you update your Mac is that the next step should be updating your apps for them to work properly on a new system. You will find some pending software updates in the App Store (if you install your apps from App Store) but not all. I have my favorite method to do that. I prefer to bulk update all apps with CleanMyMac.
CleanMyMac from Setapp (a free 7-day trial with Setapp Membership) is a smart and effortless Mac care app that has a dedicated Updater tool. Here's how to use it:
macOS needs 26-44 GB free to install. CleanMyMac finds the junk taking up that space in one scan. Remove system clutter, large hidden files, and app leftovers before the update. Takes minutes. Rated 97% by 17,417+ users on Setapp. Try CleanMyMac free. Or get CleanMyMac standalone via Marketplace from $65.40/yr — no membership needed.
Hardware compatibility: macOS 26 Tahoe requires Apple silicon (M1 or newer) or a 2019+ Intel Mac. This is the last macOS version to support any Intel Macs. Older models cannot natively update — check Apple's macOS compatibility list.
In September 2025, Apple released a new macOS Tahoe that brings multiple improvements and new features to your Mac. If you haven’t updated to Tahoe yet and are considering making the switch, I’ll guide you through the process.
Here is how Tahoe looks on my Mac:
Hardware compatibility: macOS 27 Golden Gate drops Intel Mac support entirely. Only Apple silicon Macs (M1 or newer) can install Golden Gate. No Intel Mac, regardless of year, will receive this update.
Before upgrading: Back up with Get Backup Pro, free up storage with CleanMyMac, and check your Wi-Fi with WiFi Explorer — all apps from Setapp (free for 7 days).
If your Mac is too old for the latest macOS, a third-party tool called OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) can sometimes force-install newer macOS versions. Here's what you need to know:
| macOS version | OCLP support status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| macOS 27 Golden Gate | Not supported | Apple Silicon only — no patcher can override this hardware requirement |
| macOS 26 Tahoe | Not yet supported | OCLP developers are working on it; expected winter 2026 at earliest |
| macOS 15 Sequoia | Supported on select models | Check OCLP's compatibility list |
| macOS 14 Sonoma and earlier | Supported on select models | Follow OCLP's install guide on their website |
Recommendation: If your Mac is no longer supported by the latest macOS, the safer path is to stay on the newest macOS your Mac officially supports, keep it updated with security patches, and use CleanMyMac from Setapp to keep it running at peak performance.
Unlike recent macOS, High Sierra and earlier versions can’t be installed directly from the Software Update pane in the Mac menu.
Here's how to run updates for old (or shall I say ancient) versions:
Knowing how to update the latest Mac system is one thing – preparing your machine is equally important. To prepare your Mac for an upgrade, you'll want to make sure your files are organized properly, all of your system settings are correct, and that your file system is backed up. It's also important to know if your Mac is eligible for an update.
To see what specs your Mac has, follow these steps:
This will tell you what year your Mac was made, the version of macOS or OS X you're currently on, the computer's RAM (Memory), processor, and which graphics card your Mac has. These are important to know, as upgrading macOS can require up to 44 GB of storage available on your Mac.
NoteTo see how much available storage space you have, follow the two-step process above, then go to the Storage tab at the top of the window. |
When you want to upgrade macOS, keep in mind the Mac models this macOS version is compatible with. You can find this information on Apple's official website under the macOS compatibility section and by visiting the "About This Mac" menu on your Mac and comparing your model with the list of supported devices for the macOS version you want to install.
When it's time to back your Mac up, Apple has an official method dubbed Time Machine. When you use Time Machine, it keeps what's called an "image" of your Mac, which is what a backup really is.
The purpose of creating a backup is most often to have a recent safe point you can reboot from. It's important to run backups as often as possible. The problem is, Time Machine creates too many redundant copies and often backs up the files you don’t want to back up. There's a much better way to back up your Mac: Get Backup Pro.
Get Backup Pro from Setapp (a free 7-day trial with Setapp Membership) makes the backup process simple, and you remain in total control. One issue many have with Time Machine is it often starts backing up during the day, which consumes resources on your Mac, and things you're working on may not save in your backup. Get Backup Pro lets you back your Mac up to any device you like, and you can set the schedule you want for backing your Mac up. 
You can even choose how many backups you want to keep; Time Machine doesn't allow such customizations.
Apple recommends you have a minimum of 26 GB of available storage when upgrading your Mac from macOS Sierra and even more — 44 GB — for older macOS versions. It's also wise to have a strong internet connection, as the download can take quite a bit of time!
| Upgrading to | Minimum free storage required |
|---|---|
| macOS 27 Golden Gate (2026) | ~26 GB (Apple silicon only) |
| macOS 26 Tahoe (2025) | ~26 GB |
| macOS 15 Sequoia (2024) | ~26 GB |
| macOS 14 Sonoma (2023) | ~25 GB |
| Upgrading from macOS Sierra (10.12) or earlier | Up to 44 GB |
Here's how to check your system to see if your Mac has enough space for an Apple OS update:
Which team are you on?Here’s a quick statement for you: “I regularly update my software and operating system”. How would you respond — Always, Sometimes, Rarely, or Never? We at MacPaw asked this very question in our 2024 Scams and Disinformation Survey, and the results were pretty interesting:
So… which group are you in? |
When you think "How do I update my Mac operating system?," you should also be thinking about how to prepare your Mac for the update.
Here's how to clean your Mac before a macOS update using CleanMyMac:
For a deeper clean before a major update:
While your macOS will remind you to plug in your device if the charge is not high enough for the update process, the quality of your internet connection will remain overlooked as long as it's there.
This means you are better off checking your WiFi with tools like WiFi Explorer from Setapp and doing your best to help everything work nicely for your large update to fully download without a hitch. This WiFi analyzer and monitor can help you check your connection parameters.
Know your Wi-Fi signal is strong before downloading gigabytes of macOS — visual graphs, channel analysis, no guessing. Start your 7-day Setapp trial and get WiFi Explorer + 300+ apps included.
New versions of macOS are exciting for Mac enthusiasts, but don't rush to download them. Always make sure you've cleaned your Mac using CleanMyMac, and back up your machine with Get Backup Pro.
Get Backup Pro, CleanMyMac, and WiFi Explorer are all on Setapp — with 300+ other curated Mac apps. Start my 7-day free trial. Need just CleanMyMac? Get it standalone via Marketplace from $65.40/yr.
Drivers are what allow your Mac to communicate with peripherals like graphics cards, speakers, or printers. You can't directly update drivers on a Mac; your best bet is to update your operating system, which has all the necessary drivers. If you're using a specific app to communicate with peripherals, like an app for a printer, updating the app itself may install new drivers.
If your Mac simply won't update, it's likely a hardware issue with your Mac. As I noted, you'll need quite a bit of storage to update your Mac. If you don't have the space for a new OS, you will be unable to run the latest version of macOS. Your Mac may also be too old. Though the system requirements help avoid this, Apple only supports older machines for a certain amount of time; this is often because other specs, like graphics cards, are no longer adequate for newer versions of macOS. It's also possible the update was interrupted; this is why we advise you to have a strong internet connection before updating your Mac. These are core issues with a Mac that won't update. If you're experiencing issues, get hold of Apple for support.
The short answer is yes. Updating macOS is not only a path toward new features and Mac capabilities, it’s also an important security measure. While Apple updates privacy and security features with each new update, getting those updates is vital.
To run Catalina on an older Mac, you can use the patcher. Download the Catalina patcher from the website of the developer, DOSDude1. On the website, you’ll find a detailed video tutorial on how to install Catalina using this patcher. Make sure you prepare a flash drive for a bootable installer — this will be necessary to carry out the installation.
Similar to Catalina, you can install Mojave on an unsupported Mac with a patcher. Download the Mojave patcher from DOSDude1's website here. It also contains all the requirements and a step-by-step guide on how to use the patcher. By the way, these websites usually have a Donate link, so feel free to reward the devs for their hard work creating the patchers!
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