Updating your MacBook is crucial because it helps prolong your Mac's lifespan, enhances security, improves compatibility, and applies bug fixes. It also helps eliminate viruses from your MacBook or fix Mac errors that might cause your computer to restart due to issues.

Primarily, Apple releases software updates frequently between major versions of macOS. Whenever one is available, your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air alerts you right away.

Regardless of which MacBook you have, it's always advisable to upgrade to the latest version. This way, you ensure you have the best features, security patches, and software fixes. Keeping your MacBook updated to the latest available version helps safeguard your system.

This guide will show you how to update your MacBook Pro or Air, as well as any issues that may arise while updating your MacBook. Let's get started!

How to update MacBook Pro or Air

Check compatibility with the latest update

When a new macOS version is released, you can find the current Mac update in the "Software Update" window within System Preferences. You can click on the "Upgrade Now" or "Update Now" button to install and update your macOS, such as the latest macOS Monterey and Ventura.

Wondering how to update your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? Before you upgrade your Mac, you'll want to check for hardware and software compatibility, back up your information, and make sure you have enough storage space to complete the update.

Check compatibility with the latest update

Here are some pointers to help us understand the importance of vetting updates for compatibility:

The Importance of Compatibility Updates

Keeping your macOS up to date is the single most important thing you can do to keep your Mac secure. That means installing macOS software and security updates, and making sure your Mac is set up to grab those background updates quickly.

Backup your MacBook Pro

You can back up your MacBook Pro through iCloud, which stores your files on Apple's remote servers. You can access iCloud quickly using your Apple ID. To back up your MacBook Pro, do the following:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon and choose “System Preferences.”

Step 2: Tap “Apple ID.”

Step 3: On the left, choose iCloud, and then choose what you want to store in iCloud.

Step 4: Select “iCloud Drive,” and then click “Options.” You can choose which apps, data, and files you're willing to store in the cloud.

Step 5. In the Mac Finder, you may find an iCloud Drive that you can manually drag files into.

Backup MacBook Air

Follow these steps to back up your MacBook Air:

Step one: Choose Finder > Preferences, and make sure Hard Disk is checked under Show these items on the Desktop.

Step 2: Format the external drive and create a folder with a name of your choice.

Step 3: Choose the files you want to back up. Open your Mac's hard drive, select all of the files you want to back up, and drag them into the folder.

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Download and install updates for MacBook Pro and Air

In addition to security patches and bug fixes, a Mac update can include firmware updates and improvements to pre-installed apps. If your MacBook is running macOS Mojave 10.14 or later, you can update your MacBook Air or Pro with these steps.

Here are the three most important things to know about downloading and installing updates for your MacBook Air or Pro. But before you update your MacBook, you need to protect your data.

Upgrade MacBook Air/Pro to the latest version

Apple releases a new version of macOS every year. These updates can make significant changes to the core operating system, including Mail and Safari. Whenever Apple releases a new version of macOS, the latest Mac update will be available in the Software Update panel of System Preferences. To upgrade your MacBook Pro or Air from Catalina to macOS Monterey, you'll need to download the macOS Monterey installer.

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Ventura

How to Install macOS Monterey on Your MacBook Pro or Air

Once the macOS installer finishes downloading, a prompt will automatically appear on your screen. It's important to back up your Mac before installing macOS. Click “Continue” when you're ready, then follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS Monterey on your MacBook Air or Pro.

If you want to install Monterey later, close the installer window and find it in the application folder named “Install macOS Monterey.” Double-click it to begin the installation process.

Install macOS Monterey on MacBook Pro/Air

How to automatically update your MacBook Air/Pro?

Considering that Apple frequently releases different macOS updates and offers a major operating system upgrade annually, you might spend quite some time manually updating your Mac. To get rid of the hassle of manual updates, you can set your Mac to install macOS updates automatically on your PC.

If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or later, follow these steps to turn on this automatic update feature:

Step 1: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.

< b > Step two: < / b > At the bottom of the Software Update window, find “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”

Software Update window

If you're using macOS High Sierra 10.13 or earlier, you'll need to enable automatic updates from the App Store. Just open the App Store, then move to the top menu bar in the App Store. Select “App Store” > “Preferences.” In the resulting window, find “Automatically update apps.”

Auto-update

Update all apps on your Mac

Just like with your operating system, it's essential to keep all of your apps on a Mac up to date. By updating Mac software, you can make sure you have the latest features and avoid any issues.

Unfortunately, updating all your apps isn't as easy as updating macOS, since you have to go through separate processes for App Store and third-party apps.

To update apps from the Mac App Store, follow these steps:

Step 1. On your Mac, open the App Store.

Step 2: Click on “Updates” in the sidebar.

If any updates are available, click Install All.

Update All

If you have apps on your Mac that you didn't get from the App Store, you must go to the developer's website to install updates. Also, these apps may offer to update themselves when you open them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Updates

The “Mac won't update” issue is a common one. After encountering and resolving it multiple times, we've narrowed down a few reliable solutions to the problem of your Mac not updating.

1. Your Mac has a different date and time set

This is one of the most common issues people encounter when updating macOS. Sometimes, for various reasons, users might alter their MacBook's time settings to display a specific time, which can cause problems with the Mac update process. To resolve this frequent issue during an update, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open “System Preferences.”

Step Two: Choose the date and time.

Step 3: Check Set date and time automatically.

Set the correct date and time:
Set date and time

2. The state of Apple's ecosystem

Apple is one of the world's largest IT companies, with a famously bug-free and stable infrastructure. Still, you may run into server maintenance precisely when you try to update your Mac software, which may be a coincidence. To address this issue during an update, try the following:

Step 1: Visit apple.com/support/systemstatus.

Step 2: You must check for available software updates for macOS to see if it is green.

Search for macOS software update and check

How to Use Software to Recover Lost Data After Updating Your Mac

A professional Mac data recovery tool can save an unlimited amount of data and restore any lost information from the emptied Trash, accidental deletion, or other possible reasons. With the help of a Mac Data Recovery Wizard, complex data loss issues can be resolved.

The main features of Data Recovery Wizard are:

    - Supports the recovery of various file types, including images, movies, audio files, documents, emails, and more. - Can recover from Mac-based storage devices like HDDs, SSD recovery on a Mac, fusion drives, Time Machine backup drives, memory cards, USB drives, cameras, and more. - Despite not having Time Machine backups, 79% of Apple users install it to repair corrupted files on their Mac. - Seamless data recovery after system crashes, unmounted disks, virus attacks, formatting, repartitioning, or user errors.

Download this professional Mac data recovery wizard right now!

Note: You can first click "Disk Backup" on the left to create a backup. This way, you can restore data from the backup image when the hard drive fails or data on it gets accidentally deleted or lost.

Step one: Choose the location.

Select the disk from which you lost data after updating to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur. Then, click “Search Lost Files.”

After updating macOS, choose the location to scan for lost data

Step 2: Look for the lost data after the scan

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan the disk volume you choose and display the scan results in the left pane. You can locate your desired data on Mac by file type and file path.

Locate lost data after scanning

Step 3: Restore Data After macOS Update

Select the target files that were accidentally lost during or after the update, and then click “Recover” to get them all back.

Recover Data after macOS Update

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In short, regular Mac updates can contribute to better system performance. For more information on how to upgrade your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, refer to this article. With this comprehensive tutorial, you can easily update your Mac's operating system and all installed applications.

However, note that the update may fail and lead to data loss, so you should back up your information first. If you encounter the “Mac update messed everything up” issue, you can use the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool to retrieve your lost data.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Update MacBook Pro/Air

Please check the following FAQ for instructions on how to update your MacBook Pro or Air:

1. How do I update my MacBook Pro to iOS 12? Please note that in your question, "MacBook Pro" should refer to "macOS" instead of "iOS." iOS is the operating system used on iPhones and iPads, while macOS is for Apple computers like the MacBook Pro. Here's how to update your MacBook Pro to the latest macOS (which might be macOS Mojave or a newer version): 1. Ensure your MacBook Pro is connected to the internet, preferably via Wi-Fi. 2. Open "System Preferences" (find it in the Dock or within Applications > Utilities). 3. In "System Preferences," click on "Software Update." 4. The system will automatically check for available updates. If there's an available macOS update, click "Update Now." 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download and installation process. You may need to enter your login password. 6. Once the download is finished, your MacBook Pro will restart automatically and begin the installation process. Be patient until it completes. If you wish to update to macOS Big Sur (11.x) or Monterey (12.x), make sure your MacBook Pro meets the minimum system requirements and backup important data before updating.

Please follow these steps to update your MacBook Pro to iOS 12:

Step 1: Connect the device to your MacBook.

Step 2: Select your device in the Finder sidebar. You should find this on your Mac.

< b > Step 3: < /b > Click the “General” button in the toolbar.

Step 4: Click the Check for Updates button.

Step 5: Choose Update to install any updates that are available.

2. How do I update my old Mac to the latest version?

If you don't see Software Update, select View > Software Update in System Preferences or Settings. You can also search for “software update” in the corner of the window. If your older Mac doesn't have Software Update, open the App Store app instead.

Why can't I update my MacBook Pro?

If you need help, make sure you have enough RAM and storage before upgrading your Mac. You can also start the download for the latest version while restarting your system. Try booting in Safe Mode as a last resort, or use Disk Utility to repair your hard drive.

4) How can you be sure that all the files and data are still there and working?

If you have already downloaded the Mac Data Recovery Wizard, you can be sure that all your data and files will be back on your MacBook Pro or Air. The tool recovers every single file that was deleted during the macOS update.