Whether you can upgrade the macOS system of an older Mac depends on whether the device supports it. Specific operations include confirming model compatibility, preparing for upgrades, and considering alternatives. First, click on the Apple menu ? "About this Mac" ? Check the model logo and compare it with the "Latest version of macOS supported models" announced by Apple's official website; secondly, before upgrading, you need to back up data, check the disk space at least 20GB, connect the power supply and keep the network unobstructed; if you cannot upgrade, you can choose to stay in the current version and apply security patches, use a third-party browser, install a lightweight operating system such as Linux, or upgrade to the last macOS version that is still supported. As long as it does not affect usage, old Macs are still practical.
Apple system updates are usually for improving security and stability, but if you are using an older Mac, upgrading macOS may encounter some limitations and challenges. Whether it can be increased, how, and whether it is worth it, we must first figure out a few key points.
Check whether your Mac supports the latest version of macOS
Not all old Macs can install the latest macOS version. Apple updates its compatible device list every year, and many models five years ago or even earlier will be excluded.
You can do this:
- Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner ? “About this Mac” ? View the “Model Identification”, such as “MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015”.
- Go to Apple's official website or search for "macOS latest version supported models" to compare whether your machine is on the list.
For example: macOS Sonoma supports MacBook Air until 2018 and later, while 2015 models may only be upgraded to macOS Ventura or earlier.
Preparations before upgrading cannot be saved
Old Macs have limited hardware performance, and the risk of failure or lag is higher, so it is important to prepare in advance.
A few suggestions:
- Backup data : Use Time Machine or external hard drive to make a complete backup to prevent problems during the upgrade process.
- Check disk space : macOS update package generally requires at least 20GB of free space, clean up useless files.
- Connect the power supply and keep the network open : power outage or network disconnection during the upgrade process may cause failure. It is best to plug in the charger and use a wired network to make it safer.
If you find that the disk capacity is really insufficient, you can consider deleting large files, uninstalling unused software, or using the "Optimize Mac Storage" function to free up space.
If you can't upgrade to the latest version, try these methods
If your Mac is no longer officially supported, it does not mean you have to change your computer. There are several alternatives to continue using:
- Stay in the current version and only use security patches : Apple sometimes provides security updates to the old system for a period of time after stopping the major version update.
- Using third-party browsers and applications : Even if the system is old, browsers such as Chrome and Firefox usually support it, and can ensure basic web page usage.
- Consider installing a lightweight operating system : such as Linux (such as Ubuntu), but this is a bit of a threshold for ordinary users and is suitable for tossing players.
Some users will choose to upgrade to the last version that can still be supported, such as from High Sierra to Catalina or Ventura. Although it is not the latest, it is better than using old systems all the time.
Basically that's it. Updating the system of an old Mac is actually not complicated, but you need to pay more attention to compatibility and hardware conditions. Sometimes it’s not that you don’t want to rise, it’s that you can’t rise. As long as it does not affect daily use, old Macs can also be very practical.
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