How To Update your Mac OS

To update your Mac OS, you just have to find your way to your Apple Menu  in the corner of your screen, and from there follow through with the onscreen prompts, it is that easy, once you are committed to following the guidelines, which we will be discussing here.

Mac is short for Macintosh, a family of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Inc. Mackintosh was first introduced in 1984, and what makes them groundbreaking was the fact that they were  the first computer to use a graphical user interface(GUI) which is  program that enables a person to communicate with a computer through the use of symbols and pointing devices.

The GUI has since become the standard computer interface because it makes it easier for users to use programs and devices.

There are different models of the Mac brand, ranging from;

•  Compact Macs.
•  eMac.
•  iBook.
• Macintosh II.
• Macintosh LC. 6.1 68k desktops. 6.2 68k all-in-ones. 6.3 PowerPC all-in-ones.
• Macintosh Performa.
•  Macintosh Quadra.
•  Mac mini.

An update of your Mac OS works to enhance the operating system by allowing you access to its latest features, thereby guaranteeing you a better user experience.

For perspective, an operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of programs.

So, if your operating system becomes obsolete because you failed to update it, it can result in issues such as; your device lagging, bug infestations, your device becoming vulnerable to ransomware attacks, malware and data breaches.

In fact, an out of date OS, leaves your system very vulnerable to hackers  and we know you don’t want that, so buckle up and learn how to update your Mac OS ASAP.

Asides discussing how to update your Mac OS, this article will also walk you through what you need to do before you update your Mac OS, as well as what you can do if your Mac OS is failing to update. So stay tuned.

What To Do Before You Update Mac OS

Below are what to do before you choose to update your Mac OS computer.

1.  Be Sure You Have a Reliable Network Connection

I am sure you know how frustrating it can be, when you have to download a software or app with a weak network. So, save yourself the trouble and ensure your network connection is strong enough before embarking on an update of your Mac OS. Also, it is wise to avoid carrying out your update in public spaces so as not to expose your operating system to risks.

2. Check for Enough Disk Space

You will need enough space to successfully update your Mac OS and that is because, the Mac OS update installer needs extra room to work in. As the update installs, it copies files and expands folders, taking up much more space than it needed to download. So, to be on the save side, try and free uo as much as 20 GB on your Mac to update the operating software.

3. Back Your Mac Up

Before you begin, please ensure to back up your files and folders to avoid accidental loss of files. You can do this by using the  Time Machine tool, which is  the built-in backup feature of your Mac, to automatically back up your personal data. 

4.  Stay Logged in on iCloud

Because several  Apple apps and system softwares are linked to icloud, it is necessary that you stay logged in order to have a smooth and glitch-free installation.

5. Visit The Mac App Store And Download the OS

Go to the Mac App Store and download Mac OS. To download Mac OS, you will start by;

• Visiting the Mac App Store on your Mac.
• Search for the particular Mac OS you wish to download(Apparently, is should be the latest version).
• Click on ‘Download’
• Enter your Mac OS username and password if asked.
• Once downloaded, a page will pop up, asking you to continue.

Note:  Mac OS allows you to continue other activities, while the activation is still going on,  although the installation can take quite a while to complete.

6. Install The Mac OS

Once you have it downloaded, the next thing is to install your OS. So, you will;

• Click on ‘continue’. Remember the continue, we said will pop up earlier.
• You’ll be asked to select your disk, but if you don’t see it, click Show All Disks. 
• Then, click Install and your Mac restarts after installation is complete.
  

How To Update your Mac OS

Having done all that is necessary to do before updating your Mac OS, this is how you now properly update your Mac OS.

• Go to Apple Menu, usually it is found at the top-left corner of the screen.
• Then, select Software Update option by clicking About This Mac. From there, click Software Update in the window that opens.
• Check for available Mac OS updates, That is where the System Preferences will appear and  you can search for new Mac OS updates.
• If it finds any, (which it should if they are new updates available), click Update Now to download and install that update.

• If the update is already downloaded,  simply click Restart Now to install it instead.

Did you know, that you can also update your Mac OS automatically, which is actually a better idea, so the update just happens whenever they are new updates available without you having to stress your head. To do this;

•  Open the Software Update page in the System Preferences.
• Check the box that says Automatically keep my Mac up to date, and voila!

That is how to automatically update your Mac OS.

Mac OS Update Not Responding

If your Mac OS update keeps failing, you should try the following quick fixes;

Restart Your Mac: An ordinary restart is capable of fixing the issue.  So, give it a try and when your Mac has rebooted, go to the System Preferences, then Software Update and try to install the update.

Be Sure Your Internet Connection is Secured: A good internet is necessary to have a glitch-free update. So, you want to be sure your internet connection is secured because poor connections can cause the update to stop abruptly.

Try Updating Your Mac in Safe Mood: Updating in Safe Mood is one reliable way to fix updating issues.  This is how you can go about that;

• Turn off your Mac and, but immediately press and hold the Shift key until the login screen appears.
• Then, you can let go of the Shift key and log in, normally.
• Once your Mac has entered the safe mode, try to update it.
• After your Mac has successfully updated, restart your Mac normally to exit the safe mode and voila!

There you are, a complete rundown on how you can update your Mac OS.