How to download and install macOS

Use any of these methods to download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers. Each macOS includes the latest built-in apps available for that macOS, including Safari, Notes, Messages, and Apple Music.

• Use Software Update

• Use macOS Recovery

• Use Terminal

• Use a bootable installer

• Other methods for older macOS versions

• Check macOS compatibility

Use Software Update

Software Update is the fastest and easiest way to get macOS updates, and it shows only updates that are compatible with your Mac. Software Update can also use less storage space to download and install updates compared to other methods.

How to update or upgrade macOS using Software Update

Use macOS Recovery

If you want to reinstall macOS, or installation using Software Update is unsuccessful, or your Mac doesn't start up all the way because it doesn't have a working operating system, you can start up from macOS Recovery, then reinstall macOS from there.

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery

Use Terminal

You can use Terminal to download the installer for compatible macOS versions no earlier than the version that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

1. Make sure that your Mac is using macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.

2. Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of the Applications folder. Or Use Spotlight or Siri AI in the menu bar to find and open Terminal.

3. Type or paste this command in Terminal, replacing "[number]" with the latest macOS version number for the compatible macOS that you want to download: softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version [number]

   • Example: softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.6.2

4. Press Return to enter the command.

   • As macOS downloads to the Applications folder, Terminal shows the percentage it’s installing (downloading).

   • If Terminal says update not found, that version of macOS is not available for your Mac. You can enter softwareupdate --list-full-installers to get a list of macOS versions that are currently available for your Mac model.

5. When Terminal says that the install finished successfully, the download is complete. Open the Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name], then follow the onscreen installation instructions. Or leave the installer in the Applications folder for later use.

Use a bootable installer

A bootable installer can be useful when you want to install macOS on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time, or when you can't install using other methods.

1. Download the macOS installer using Terminal or one of the other methods for older macOS versions.

2. Follow the steps to create the bootable installer, which include instructions for using it to install macOS.

Other methods for older macOS versions

Some older macOS versions are also available via the App Store or as direct downloads via web browser.

Download via the App Store

1. Make sure that the Mac you’re using to download macOS is compatible with that macOS.

2. If you're downloading macOS in order to create a bootable installer, make sure that your Mac is using macOS Mojave 10.14 or later.

3. Use these links to find macOS in the App Store. If they don't work as expected, try again using Safari, which is in the Applications folder.

   • macOS Sequoia 15

   • macOS Sonoma 14

   • macOS Ventura 13

   • macOS Monterey 12

   • macOS Big Sur 11

   • macOS Catalina 10.15

   • macOS Mojave 10.14

   • macOS High Sierra 10.13

4. Click the Get button in the App Store to begin downloading.

   • If Software Update opens and asks if you want to download macOS, allow the download via Software Update.

   • If the macOS you’re trying to download isn’t compatible with your Mac, the App Store might dim the Get button or say that the macOS is not compatible with this device, or that the requested version of macOS is not available.

5. After downloading to the Applications folder, the installer opens automatically. Follow the onscreen installation instructions, or quit the installer to leave it in the Applications folder for later use.

Download via web browser

1. Make sure that the Mac you’re using to download macOS is compatible with that macOS. If it isn't compatible, you won't be able to complete these steps.

2. Use these links to download a macOS disk image (.dmg) file. If these links don't work as expected, try again using Safari, which is in the Applications folder.

   • Sierra 10.12

   • El Capitan 10.11

   • Yosemite 10.10

   • Mountain Lion 10.8

   • Lion 10.7

3. By default, Safari downloads the disk image to your Downloads folder, which you can open from the Dock or the sidebar of a Finder window. Learn more about downloading with Safari.

4. Double-click the .dmg file to open it and see the package (.pkg) file within.

5. Double-click the .pkg file, then follow the onscreen instructions to install the macOS installer into the Applications folder.

6. Open the Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name]. Follow the onscreen installation instructions.

Check macOS compatibility

Find out which computers are compatible with the most recent versions of macOS:

• macOS 27 Golden Gate is compatible with these computers

• macOS Tahoe 26 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Sequoia 15 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Sonoma 14 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Ventura 13 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Monterey 12 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Big Sur 11 is compatible with these computers

• macOS Catalina 10.15 is compatible with these computers

Learn more

• Learn about Apple software updates, including why it’s important to update your software and how software updates work.

• If an error occurs while updating or installing macOS

• If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

• How to use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk

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