Should You Update Your Mac To The Latest Software

To install the latest software updates on your Mac computer please follow these steps. Click on the Apple ( ) menu in the upper left hand corner and then select the Software Update menu option. Oct 06, 2019  Although Apple makes new software updates available to as many older devices as possible, there are always some reasons why it may not be in your best interest to install the latest and greatest right on day-one, even if your Mac is compatible. These are instructions on how to update the operating system of your Mac to the latest version of OS X. If you aren't already on OS X 10.9 Mavericks you can upgrade for free by visiting this link. Feb 02, 2020  Apple has released the third major Catalina update to the sixteenth version of MacOS. Released earlier this week. Should you be updating your Mac, iMac, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro?

Software

By default, your Mac checks with the mothership (Apple) once per week to look for any new or updated software for your Mac. If there is, your Mac informs you that a new Software Update is available and asks whether you’d like to install it. In almost all cases, you do. Apple issues Software Updates to fix newly discovered security concerns, to fix serious bugs in macOS, or to fix bugs in or add functionality to Apple applications.

You can perform this check manually by opening the App Store app and displaying its Updates tab. If any updates are available, you’ll see them here.

Should You Update Your Mac To The Latest Software 2017

Use the App Store System Preferences pane to disable automatic checking completely, and/or instruct your Mac to automatically download and install updates.

Once in a blue moon, one of these Software Updates has an unintended side effect; while fixing one problem, it introduces a different problem. Apple is generally pretty careful, and this doesn’t happen very often, but if you want to be safe, don’t install a Software Update until you visit Macworld, The Mac Observer, or other authoritative site and look at what they have to say about the update you have in mind.

Latest

If there are widespread issues with a particular Software Update, sites like these will have the most comprehensive coverage (and possible workarounds).

Apps need updates, too. So make a habit of launching the Mac App Store application now and then, clicking the Updates tab, and then updating any apps that require it.

Many third-party programs, including Microsoft Office and most Adobe products, use their own update-checking mechanism. Check and make sure that you have yours enabled. Many third-party apps offer a Check for Updates option in the Help (or other) menu or as a preference in their Preferences window.

One last thing: If you see a little number on the App Store icon in the Dock, you have that many updates waiting. Launch the Mac App Store, and click the Updates tab.

Is your Mac up to date with the latest version of the Mac operating system (macOS or OS X)? Is it using the version required by some product or feature? Which versions are earlier (older) or later (newer, more recent) than the version currently installed? To find out, learn which version is installed now.

If your macOS isn't up to date, you may be able to update to a later version.

Which macOS version is installed?

From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You'll see the macOS name, such as macOS Mojave, followed by its version number. If some product or feature requires you to know the build number as well, click the version number to see it.

Should You Update Your Mac Software

This example shows macOS Catalina version 10.15 build 19A583.

Which macOS version is the latest?

Should You Update Your Mac To The Latest Software Windows 10

Should You Update Your Mac To The Latest Software

These are all Mac operating systems, starting with the most recent. When a major new macOS is released, it gets a new name, such as macOS Catalina. And as updates that change the macOS version number become available, this article is updated to show the latest version of that macOS.

If your Mac is using an earlier version of any Mac operating system, you should install the latest Apple software updates, which can include important security updates and updates for the apps installed by macOS, such as Safari, Books, Messages, Mail, Music, Calendar, and Photos.

macOSLatest version
macOS Catalina
10.15.5
macOS Mojave10.14.6
macOS High Sierra10.13.6
macOS Sierra10.12.6
OS X El Capitan10.11.6
OS X Yosemite10.10.5
OS X Mavericks10.9.5
OS X Mountain Lion10.8.5
OS X Lion10.7.5
Mac OS X Snow Leopard10.6.8
Mac OS X Leopard10.5.8
Mac OS X Tiger10.4.11
Mac OS X Panther10.3.9
Mac OS X Jaguar10.2.8
Mac OS X Puma10.1.5
Mac OS X Cheetah10.0.4

Learn more

Can You Update Your Mac Software

  • Always use the macOS that came with your Mac, or a compatible newer version.
  • Learn how to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery.

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