Can you download Mac for free?

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system.

Apple recommends using the latest (newest) macOS that is compatible with your Mac. macOS updates and upgrades help to maintain your computer's security, stability and compatibility, and they include the latest features and built-in apps.

Before installing, it's a good idea to back up your Mac. While installing, avoid putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac will restart, and it may display a progress bar or blank screen several times. 

Use Software Update

Using Software Update is faster and easier than upgrading by other methods, and it may require less storage space to download and install the upgrade. Software Update will only display upgrades that are compatible with your Mac.

Update macOS on your Mac

Or use the App Store or your browser

When you use these methods instead of Software Update, your Mac may need more storage space to download macOS and complete the installation.
  

1. Click the link to open the App Store page for that macOS. 
2. In the App Store, click the Get button to start downloading the macOS installer.
3. After downloading to your Applications folder, the installer will open automatically. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.

1. Click the link to download a disk image (.dmg) file for that macOS.
2. Double-click the .dmg file to open it and see the .pkg file within.
3. Double-click the .pkg file, then follow the onscreen instructions. This will install the macOS installer into your Applications folder.
4. Open your Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name]. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.

If you need help

If you're having difficulty getting the links to work, try again using Safari. It's in your Applications folder.

If you need more storage space to download or install, find out how to free up storage space.

If the macOS that you want isn't compatible with your Mac or the currently installed macOS, the installer will let you know and the App Store may prevent you from downloading it. For example, it may dim the Get button, say that the macOS is not compatible with this device or say that the requested version of macOS is not available.

Find out what to do if you receive an error message saying that an error occurred while downloading, preparing or installing, or that the installer is damaged or could not be verified.

Other ways to update or upgrade macOS include using macOS Recovery or using a bootable installer.

Published Date: November 03, 2022

This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET's complete coverage from and about Apple's annual developers conference.

Apple's latest operating system MacOS Big Sur is now available for download as a free software update for all users, so long as your Mac is compatible. The newly designed operating system includes major updates to the Safari web browser, and refreshed Maps and Messages apps (we've rounded up some of the best new MacOS Big Sur features and how to use them here). 

MacOS Big Sur was first revealed at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. At a virtual event on Nov. 10, Apple unveiled new Mac computers featuring Apple's M1 chips running the latest version of Big Sur, which is optimized to run on these machines. Apps will run faster and more smoothly, Apple executives said during the event, and you'll also see increased device security. 

Now playing: Watch this: MacOS Big Sur: Check out these 5 great new features now

3:44

See also

• MacOS Big Sur review: The software side of Mac's rebirth
• MacOS Big Sur: Here's how to download Apple's newest operating system
• Big Sur compatibility: Find out if your device will work with the new MacOS
• Check out the 5 best new features of MacOS Big Sur now

How to download and install MacOS Big Sur

If you want to download MacOS Big Sur, follow these steps:

1. Back up your Mac, just to be safe. You don't want to risk losing everything when you upgrade. 

2. Make sure that you are running OS X 10.9 or later, and have 4GB of memory available, and 35.5GB available storage. 

3. On your Mac, go to apple.com/macos/big-sur. Or, go to System Preferences > Software Update, and find MacOS Big Sur. Either way, click Upgrade Now. The download will start immediately, but may take while -- for my MacBook Air, it estimated about an hour. 

Once you download and install the update and restart your computer, you'll be running on MacOS Big Sur.

One word of warning: Some users reported slow or failed downloads last week. But as of Tuesday, Apple's system status page had the update marked as "available."

You can also download iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 now, too, if you haven't already.

Now playing: Watch this: Apple's new M1 chip engineered for MacOS Big Sur

3:27

Where can I download Mac software for free?

Is the new macOS free?

Where can I download Mac?

Can I download macOS without App Store?