How to upgrade to macOS Sierra from El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, or Lion
- sep
- 20
Even if you are still running Mavericks, you can upgrade to macOS Sierra. Here's what you need to know!
macOS Sierra is here! Are you ready to upgrade? Apple has made it easier than ever to update to the latest operating system, even if you are running an older OS X operating system on your Mac.
Step 1: Check your compatibility
First and foremost, make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Sierra. In general, most Macs from 2010 or newer are compatible. Here's a list of Macs that can run macOS Sierra:
- Mac Pro (mid 2010 or newer)
- iMac (late 2009 or newer)
- Mac mini (mid 2010 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (mid 2010 or newer)
- MacBook (late 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Air (late 2010 or newer)
Some older devices are compatible, but won't support certain features. If your Mac is from early 2012 or older, you might want to consider whether upgrading is worth it.
Should you upgrade your Mac to macOS Sierra?
Step 2: Back up your Mac!
Before downloading any major update to your Mac operating system, it is very important to back up your data. The best way to ensure a smooth transition from an older operating system to Sierra is with Time Machine. If you don't already have a backup plan in place, there are a few options you can check out.
Step 3: Download and install macOS Sierra
Apple has made it easy to download and install macOS Sierra, even if you are running an older operating system. If your Mac is running Lion (OS X 10.7.5), Mavericks, Yosemite, or El Capitan, here's how to download macOS Sierra.
- Click on the Apple icon () in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Click on App Store....
- Click on Featured.
- Click on macOS Sierra in the Mac App Store.
- Click on Download under the Sierra icon.
- Wait for macOS Sierra to finish downloading.
Click Install to begin the installation process.
If you can't find macOS Sierra under the featured section of the Mac App Store, try searching for "sierra" or going directly to the macOS Sierra download page.
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How to downgrade from macOS Sierra
Questions?
If you run into trouble during the upgrade process, give us a shout!