Apple does a giant replace of macOS (the working system that runs on Macs) annually, bringing new options and interface tweaks. Considered one of these main macOS updates is due on September 16, 2024. On this article, we’ll give you steerage on the way to set up macOS Sequoia. We’ll additionally clarify what to do if you happen to expertise any of the standard points that may come up when a brand new model of macOS is put in and the way to keep away from these points within the first place.
Updating your Mac is straightforward, free, and never almost as time-consuming because it was, however there are some things we advocate you do first to organize your Mac, so we advocate that you simply additionally learn the way to get your Mac prepared for macOS Sequoia.
Regardless of the convenience of set up for many, some folks do encounter points, so we’ll run via the potential complications and any issues it’s possible you’ll encounter and the way to repair any issues encountered whereas updating your Mac. If issues get actually difficult we even have: Fixes for Macs that received’t replace macOS.
However we aren’t solely considering Sequoia. There are different older variations of macOS, together with Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey that you could be additionally want to replace, maybe on an older Mac, or on a Mac that may’t run Sequoia. So, we additionally embody recommendation under to assist with that, in addition to in a separate story about Methods to obtain previous variations of macOS.
You may additionally like to seek out out: what model of macOS your Mac runs and the way to run new macOS on an previous Mac.
If you happen to fancy attempting out new macOS options earlier than they’re launched to most of the people, you would possibly prefer to be part of Apple’s beta-testing program. We cowl Methods to set up the macOS beta individually.
When is macOS Sequoia popping out?
Sequoia arrived on September 16, 2024. Mac customers with suitable Macs will be capable of obtain and set up it, however Apple usually rolls a serious replace like this out in phases to handle the site visitors to its servers, so its availability to you is probably not speedy.
Ought to I replace my Mac to Sequoia?
Questioning if you happen to ought to replace to Sequoia in any respect? Earlier than you begin the replace we advocate you do the next:
Examine our macOS Sequoia vs Sonoma information to learn how it compares to the earlier model.
Affirm that your Mac can run Sequoia. See: macOS 15 Sequoia compatibility: Can your Mac run the brand new model of macOS?
You might be involved that you’ve got some software program that you should use that won’t work within the new working system. Fortunately there are a couple of methods you’ll be able to check out Sequoia with out eradicating an older model of macOS out of your Mac, discover out Methods to run macOS on an exterior arduous drive or Methods to dual-boot two Mac Working Techniques in your Mac.
Even when not one of the above are causes for you to not set up, you should still wish to wait some time. It’s usually the case that the primary folks to obtain a brand new working system expertise issues, regardless of the beta program that has seen hundreds of individuals run the software program on their Macs already. Our recommendation is that if you’re in any respect cautious then wait a couple of weeks earlier than you obtain the brand new working system. Ready some time additionally has the additional benefit of it that means you aren’t attempting to obtain the software program from Apple’s servers similtaneously everybody else, which may make the entire course of very gradual and irritating. We might be logging any points or issues we hear about in our macOS Sequoia information.
Learn on to learn how to replace your Mac and set up Sequoia.
Methods to set up macOS Sequoia in your Mac
We’ll run via all of the steps to obtain and set up Sequoia in your Mac under. The method depends upon the model of macOS you might be at present working, so we’ll cowl the other ways.
Step 1: Discover the macOS Sequoia Replace
You may even see a notification in your Mac that an replace is offered, during which case you’ll be able to click on on Set up.
In Sonoma or Ventura: If you’re working Sonoma, click on on the Apple emblem within the menu on the prime of your display screen and select System Settings > Common > Software program Replace and your Mac will seek for the replace. You may additionally see a Sofware Replace Out there alert within the left column of System Settings.

Software program Replace in System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) will provide you with a warning to the Sequoia replace,
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Pre Ventura: Click on on the Apple emblem within the menu on the prime of your display screen and select Software program Replace and your Mac will seek for the replace. Alternatively, open System Preferences and select Software program Replace. Wait whereas your laptop checks for updates.
A lot older variations of macOS replace through the Mac App Retailer.
Step 2: Obtain the macOS replace
Assuming you see the macOS replace, the method to obtain it really works as follows:
- Click on on Improve Now to obtain the installer for the brand new model of macOS.
- Whereas the installer is being downloaded it is possible for you to to proceed to make use of your Mac. It could take some time to obtain, particularly if it’s very massive and your community is gradual.
- As soon as the installer has downloaded you must see a window pop up in your Mac asking you to start out the set up course of. If you’re prepared to put in transfer to the following step.
- If you happen to don’t wish to set up the software program but, maybe since you are making a bootable installer of macOS, you could find the installer file within the Functions folder through the Finder.
Step 3: Set up the macOS replace
If you’re all set to put in the replace to macOS, and don’t thoughts your Mac being out of motion for some time (it could possibly take hours on a launch evening!) begin the set up.
- Click on to put in the brand new model of macOS.
- Observe the onscreen directions to complete putting in the software program replace.
What to do in case your Mac received’t replace macOS
When you shouldn’t encounter issues when you’ve got made certain your Mac is ready for the macOS replace and browse the way to get your Mac prepared for macOS, it’s potential you’ll encounter points. Right here’s an evidence of the issues you would possibly encounter–most often one of the best answer is to strive once more later.
- Be sure you have loads of area in your SSD or arduous drive. Your Mac wants numerous area accessible to unpack the installer and set up the replace. If there isn’t sufficient area issues can go unsuitable and also you would possibly see a message like, “macOS couldn’t be put in in your laptop. ” Learn: How to create space on Mac.
- Just remember to have a very good community connection. In case your Wi-Fi is flakey then transfer nearer to the router, and even higher, swap to ethernet if that’s an choice. If you happen to see a message like, “The community connection was misplaced,” your community is probably going the issue. Learn: Methods to repair Wi-Fi issues on a Mac
- Generally a macOS replace received’t obtain or instances out as a result of too many individuals are attempting to obtain it on the similar time. If you’re attempting to put in an replace across the time it launches anticipate points like this. If Apple’s servers are overloaded it’s possible you’ll even discover the set up stops because it tries to confirm your particulars with Apple.
- Your obtain could freeze: right here’s what to do in case your Mac freezes through the set up course of.
- Examine Apple’s system standing to see if something has gone unsuitable at Apple’s finish: see Apple’s System Standing web page.
For extra recommendation about what to do if you happen to encounter issues learn Fixes for Macs that received’t replace macOS.
How lengthy will the macOS replace take?
It may possibly fluctuate, primarily based in your web connection and the way many individuals are additionally attempting to get the replace. For instance, once we tried updating macOS Massive Sur 4 years in the past, our Mac mentioned it might take 10 hours to obtain the 11.98GB file. When upgrading to Ventura in 2022, the obtain was 6.37GB. So be ready to attend some time for Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey or some other model of macOS downloads, particularly if you’re on a poor Wi-Fi community.
You might wish to go away your Mac downloading the working system replace in a single day. And that’s earlier than you even begin the set up at which level you received’t even be capable of use your Mac. Count on the precise set up to take as much as an hour–it could possibly go sooner than that, however don’t anticipate it to be carried out in a couple of minutes.
Methods to replace an older model of macOS
Not everyone seems to be updating to the newest model of macOS, so we’ll cowl the opposite choices under.
Methods to replace to Sonmoa (not Sequoia)
If you’re working Ventura in your Mac and might replace to Sequoia you’ll solely see the Sequoia replace as an choice. What if you wish to replace to Sonoma as an alternative? Right here’s what to do:
- Click on on this hyperlink which is able to open the the Mac App Retailer on the web page for Sonoma.
- Click on on Get.
- You will note a message: “Are you certain you wish to obtain macOS Sonoma”. Click on on Obtain.
- Wait whereas your Mac downloads the installer. As soon as the installer is downloaded it is possible for you to to put in macOS Sonoma in your Mac.
Methods to replace to Ventura (not Sonoma)
If you’re working Monterey in your Mac and might replace to Sonoma you will note the Sonoma replace as an choice. What if you wish to replace to Ventura as an alternative? Right here’s what to do:
- Click on on this hyperlink which is able to open the the Mac App Retailer on the web page for Ventura.
- Click on on Get.
- You will note a message: “Are you certain you wish to obtain macOS Ventura”. Click on on Obtain.
- Wait whereas your Mac downloads the installer. As soon as the installer is downloaded it is possible for you to to put in macOS Ventura in your Mac.
Updating from Monterey, Massive Sur, Catalina or Mojave
If you’re working any of the above variations of macOS it is possible for you to to put in a brand new model of macOS through System Preferences > Software program Replace following the method outlined above, so long as your Mac helps the replace.
For assist getting maintain of these variations of the macOS learn: Methods to obtain previous variations of macOS.
Updating macOS utilizing the Mac App Retailer
If you happen to’re working Excessive Sierra or an older model of macOS you have to to replace macOS through the Mac App Retailer. It’s best to be capable of discover the model of macOS you might be after utilizing one of many hyperlinks under (if you happen to don’t see it we advocate closing and re-opening the Mac App Retailer).
You might want to acquire the macOS installer utilizing this methodology when you’ve got already put in the model of macOS in your Mac and wish to make a bootable macOS installer so you’ll be able to set up it on plenty of Macs.
- Seek for Sonoma or click on on the hyperlink to the model of macOS you require: Ventura, Monterey and Massive Sur.
- This may launch the App Retailer in your Mac.
- Click on on Get (older variations of the App Retailer might need a Obtain button).
- If you have already got this model put in in your Mac you will note a warning: Are you certain you wish to obtain…” Click on on Obtain.
- Fill out your Apple ID info if prompted.
- The Installer will begin to obtain, you’ll be able to see how lengthy it should take if you happen to have a look at the bar underneath Downloading. Fortunately the obtain occurs within the background, so you’ll be able to proceed to work or surf the net.
- As soon as the installer file has downloaded a window will pop up in your Mac telling you and asking you to Proceed…
- If you wish to set up then click on Proceed and wait whereas the replace installs in your Mac.
- If you happen to don’t wish to set up the replace don’t click on Proceed and simply shut the installer. The Installer file will be present in Functions.
If you’re hoping to put in a fair older model of the Mac working system we clarify how to do that right here: Methods to become older variations of macOS or OS X. The part under will clarify the way to replace through the Mac App Retailer.
For details about Apple’s phrases and circumstances for utilizing macOS learn: Must you conform to Apple’s phrases and circumstances?

Apple retains older variations of macOS which can be suitable together with your Mac within the App Retailer.
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