There are so many reasons to upgrade to macOS Sierra now. You get access to new features that make your Mac even more useful and fun. Upgrading ensures that you have the latest security features and performance enhancements. Here are two more: it’s free and it’s easy.
Mac computers introduced in late 2009 or later can be upgraded to macOS Sierra.
Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. You should also have your Apple ID and password handy. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Lion 10.7.5 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Sierra.
Visit the macOS Sierra page on the Mac App Store. Click the download button and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
Have an older version of OS X? Learn how to upgrade
If you’re running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and your Mac supports macOS Sierra, you will need to upgrade to El Capitan first. Click here for instructions.
If you’re running Leopard and would like to upgrade to macOS Sierra, first you’ll need to upgrade to OS X Snow Leopard. You can purchase OS X Snow Leopard from the Apple Online Store.
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choose About This Mac, then choose More Info. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Sierra:
Supported by the following Mac models:
Handoff requires an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later.
Instant Hotspot requires an iPhone or iPad with mobile connectivity with a Lightning connector and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 and an iPhone 5 or later.
Requires a broadband Internet connection and microphone (built-in or external).
Supported by the following Mac models:
Requires an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or an Apple Watch with watchOS 3.
Phone calling requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.
SMS requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.
AirDrop between Mac computers and iOS devices is supported by the following Mac models:
AirDrop to iOS devices requires an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.
AirDrop between two Mac computers is supported by the following Mac models:
Requires an additional hard drive or AirPort Time Capsule (sold separately).
Supported by the following Mac models:
Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera or FireWire DV camcorder.
Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera or a FireWire DV camcorder; and broadband Internet connection.Learn more
Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 on supported Mac models. Existing Boot Camp installations of Windows Vista and Windows XP Service Pack 2 are also supported.Learn more
Requires Microsoft Exchange 2013, Exchange Server 2010 or Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Update Rollup 4. Auto-setup requires enabling the Autodiscovery feature of Microsoft Exchange Server.
Requires a broadband Internet connection.
AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later). Supported by the following Mac models:
AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) with OS X Yosemite or later and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.
Supported by the following Mac models:
Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse.
Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.
VoiceOver gestures require a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad or Magic Trackpad.
Dictation requires a microphone (built in or external).
Available only to persons aged 13 or older in the US and many other countries.