Apple does a big update of macOS (the operating system that runs on Macs) once a year, bringing new features and interface tweaks. One of these major macOS updates is due on September 26, 2023. In this article, we will offer you guidance on how to install it and what to do if you experience any of the usual issues that can arise when a new version of macOS is installed.
Updating your Mac is easy, free and not nearly as time-consuming as it used to be, but there are a few things we recommend you do first to prepare your Mac – so we recommend that you also read How to get your Mac ready for macOS Sonoma.
Despite the ease of installation for most, some do encounter issues, so we’ll run through the potential headaches and any problems you may encounter and how to fix any problems encountered while updating your Mac. If things get really complicated we also have: Fixes for Macs that won’t update macOS.
But we aren’t only interested in Sonoma. There are other older versions of macOS, including Ventura and Monterey for which you might wish to install an update, perhaps on an older Mac, or on a Mac that can’t run Sonoma. We also include advice below to help with that.
If you haven’t updated to Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina or one of the older versions of macOS yet, we also cover how to update to those. Find out: what version of macOS your Mac runs. We also cover how to run new macOS on an old Mac.
If you fancy trying out unreleased versions of macOS you might like to join Apple’s beta-testing program. We cover how to do this in detail here: How to get the macOS beta.
When is macOS Sonoma coming out?
Prior to the release of macOS Sonoma the only way to get Ventura on your Mac is to install the beta, which is currently in the release candidate version, so it could be safe to install if you want to risk it.
Sonoma is set to arrive on September 26, 2023. It’s likely to start to appear on Macs after 10am PT, 1pm ET, and 5pm GMT, although it’s often later. After that time Mac users will be able to download and install it.
Should I update my Mac to Sonoma?
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Wondering if you should update to Sonoma at all? Before you start the update we recommend you do the following:
Check our macOS Ventura vs Sonoma guide to find out how it compares to the previous version.
Confirm that your Mac can run Sonoma. See: macOS 14 Sonoma compatibility: Can your Mac run the latest version?
You may be concerned that you have some software that you need to use that may not work in the new operating system. Luckily there are a few ways you can try out Sonoma without removing an older version of macOS from your Mac, find out How to run macOS on an external hard drive or How to dual-boot two Mac Operating Systems on your Mac.
Even if none of the above are reasons for you not to install, you may still want to wait a while. It’s often the case that the first people to download a new operating system experience problems – despite the beta program that has seen thousands of people run the software on their Macs already. Our advice is that if you are at all cautious then wait a few weeks before you download the new operating system. Waiting a while also has the added benefit of it meaning you aren’t trying to download the software from Apple’s servers at the same time as everyone else, which can make the whole process very slow and frustrating. We will be logging any issues or problems we hear about in our macOS Sonoma guide.
Read on to find out how to update your Mac and install Sonoma.
How to install macOS Sonoma on your Mac
We’ll run through all the steps to download and install Sonoma on your Mac below. The process depends on the version of macOS you are currently running, so we will cover the different ways.
Step 1: Find the macOS Sonoma Update
You may see a notification on your Mac that an update is available, in which case you can click on Install.
In Ventura: If you are running Ventura, click on the Apple logo in the menu at the top of your screen and choose System Settings > General > Software Update and your Mac will search for the update.
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Pre Ventura: Click on the Apple logo in the menu at the top of your screen and choose Software Update and your Mac will search for the update. Alternatively, open System Preferences and choose Software Update. Wait while your computer checks for updates.
Much older versions of macOS update via the Mac App Store.
Step 2: Download the macOS update
Assuming you see the macOS update, the process to download it works as follows:
- Click on Upgrade Now to download the installer for the new version of macOS.
- While the installer is being downloaded you will be able to continue to use your Mac. It may take a while to download, especially if it’s very large and your network is slow.
- Once the installer has downloaded you should see a window pop up on your Mac asking you to start the install process. If you are ready to install move to the next step.
- If you don’t want to install the software yet, perhaps because you are making a bootable installer of macOS, you can find the installer file in the Applications folder via the Finder.
Step 3: Install the macOS update
If you are all set to install the update to macOS, and don’t mind your Mac being out of action for a while (it can take hours on a launch night!) start the installation.
- Click to install the new version of macOS.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to finish installing the software update.
What to do if your Mac won’t update macOS
While you shouldn’t encounter problems if you have made sure your Mac is prepared for the macOS update and read How to get your Mac ready for macOS, it is possible you will encounter issues. Here’s an explanation of the problems you might encounter – in most cases the best solution is to try again later.
- Make sure you have plenty of space – your Mac needs a lot of space available to unpackage the installer and install the update. If there isn’t enough space things can go wrong and you might see a message like ‘macOS could not be installed on your computer’. Read: How to make space on Mac.
- Make sure that you have a good network connection – if your Wi-Fi is flakey then move nearer the router, or even better switch to ethernet if that is an option. If you see a message like ‘The network connection was lost’ your network is likely the problem. Read: How to fix Wi-Fi problems on a Mac
- Sometimes a macOS update won’t download or times out because everyone is trying to download it at the same time. If you are trying to install an update around the time it launches expect issues like this.
- Your download may freeze: here’s what to do if your Mac freezes during the installation process.
- If Apple’s servers are overloaded you may even find the installation stops as it tries to verify your details with Apple.
- Check Apple’s system status to see if anything has gone wrong at Apple’s end: see Apple’s System Status page.
For more advice about what to do if you encounter problems read Fixes for Macs that won’t update macOS.
How long will the macOS update take?
When we started downloading macOS Big Sur our Mac said it would take 10 hours to download the 11.98GB file, so be prepared to wait a while for Ventura, Monterey or any other version of macOS downloads – especially if you are on a poor Wi-Fi network. You may want to leave your Mac downloading the operating system update over night.
And that’s before you even start the installation at which point you won’t even be able to use your Mac. Expect this to take up to an hour.
Ventura was about 6.37GB, which can take a long time to download on a slow network. Once it has downloaded the installation process can also take a very long time.
macOS updates take AGES!
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How to update an older version of macOS
Not everyone is updating from Ventura to Sonoma, so we will cover the other options below.
Updating from Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina or Mojave
If you are running any of the above versions of macOS you will be able to install a new version of macOS via System Preferences > Software update following the process outlined above, as long as your Mac supports the update.
Updating macOS using the Mac App Store
If you’re running High Sierra or an older version of macOS you will need to update macOS via the Mac App Store. You should be able to find the version of macOS you are after using one of the links below (if you don’t see it we recommend closing and re-opening the Mac App Store).
You may prefer to obtain the macOS installer using this method if you have already installed the version of macOS on your Mac and want to make a bootable macOS installer so you can install it on a number of Macs.
- Search for Sonoma or click on the link to the version of macOS you require: Ventura, Monterey and Big Sur.
- This will launch the App Store on your Mac.
- Click on Get (older versions of the App Store might have a Download button).
- If you already have this version installed on your Mac you will see a warning: Are you sure you want to download…” Click on Download.
- Fill out your Apple ID information if prompted.
- The Installer will start to download, you can see how long it will take if you look at the bar under Downloading. Luckily the download happens in the background, so you can continue to work or surf the web.
- Once the installer file has downloaded a window will pop up on your Mac telling you and asking you to Continue…
- If you want to install then click Continue and wait while the update installs on your Mac.
- If you don’t want to install the update don’t click Continue and just close the installer. The Installer file can be found in Applications.
If you are hoping to install an even older version of the Mac operating system we explain how to do this here: How to get older versions of macOS or OS X. The section below will explain how to update via the Mac App Store.
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For information about Apple’s terms and conditions for using macOS read: Should you agree to Apple’s terms and conditions?
