How to Update macOS High Sierra: A Foolproof Step-by-Step Guide

So, How to Update macOS High Sierra? A macOS High Sierra update needs up to 44GB of storage space on your Mac. This space requirement equals more than 10,000 high-resolution photos!

The process to update macOS High Sierra is quite straightforward. Apple designed it to be user-friendly even if you’re not tech-savvy. Your Mac from late 2009 or newer can run this powerful update that brings improved file systems, faster browsing, and better graphics performance with VR support.

This detailed guide will help you through each step of updating your Mac to High Sierra. You’ll find everything needed for a smooth upgrade experience, from checking compatibility to finishing the installation. Your macOS High Sierra update journey starts here!

Checking Mac Compatibility for High Sierra Update

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Your Mac must meet specific requirements before you can update to macOS High Sierra. High Sierra works with older Mac models, making it available to many users.

System requirements for macOS High Sierra

Your computer needs these simple requirements to run High Sierra:

OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later as your current operating system
At least 2GB of RAM to function properly
Minimum 14.3GB of available storage space to complete the installation

Your Mac must be one of these compatible models to run High Sierra:

MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

Most Macs from 2009 or newer support High Sierra updates. The technical specifications are similar to the previous macOS Sierra version, which makes this update straightforward for most users.

How to verify your current macOS version

You need to know your current macOS version before updating to High Sierra. Here’s how to check:

Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen
Select About This Mac from the dropdown menu
The macOS name and version number appears on the Overview tab

Version numbers follow a major.minor.patch format. To name just one example, in version 10.13.4, “10.13” represents macOS High Sierra, and “4” shows the fourth update to this release.

Finding your Mac model and year

Checking your Mac’s model and year is a vital step to ensure compatibility with High Sierra:

Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner
Select About This Mac
The window shows your Mac’s model and year of manufacture

The “System Report” button in the About This Mac window provides more details about your Mac model.

After confirming compatibility, you can move forward with the High Sierra update. Note that while system requirements are minimal, better hardware will improve performance with High Sierra’s new features.

Essential Preparations Before Updating High Sierra

Getting ready is vital to ensure a smooth experience while updating macOS High Sierra. A few precautionary steps before the High Sierra update will protect your data and aid a trouble-free installation process.

Creating a complete backup of your Mac

Making a backup is essential to update macOS High Sierra. Apple’s Time Machine provides the simplest backup solution and needs an external storage device with at least twice your Mac’s storage capacity. Your optimal protection comes from:

Connecting a USB drive or Thunderbolt drive to your Mac
Letting Time Machine configure the drive exclusively for backups
Enabling backup encryption if you have sensitive data

A bootable backup provides extra security during the macOS High Sierra update. Tools like Carbon Copy Cloner ($39.99) or Data Backup 3 ($19.00) can create bootable backups that include the recovery partition.

Checking available storage space

You need adequate free space to update macOS High Sierra. Apple requires a minimum of 8.8GB, but experts suggest keeping around 15GB for a smoother update experience. Here’s how to check your storage:

Click the Apple icon in the menu bar
Select “About This Mac”
Click “More Info” then view the Storage tab

Updating your current apps

Your current software should be up-to-date before starting the High Sierra update. Latest versions of your operating system and applications reduce compatibility issues during the update process. Follow these steps:

Check the App Store Updates folder for system updates
Update App Store applications through the same interface
Manually update third-party applications from their respective sources

Closing all running applications

The installer needs all active applications closed as the final preparation step. Here’s how to close apps:

Choose App Name > Quit App from the menu bar
Alternatively, press Command+Q
Press Command+Option+Escape to force quit unresponsive apps

Note that closing windows doesn’t quit applications – look for dots beneath icons in the Dock that show running apps.

Step-by-Step Process to Update macOS High Sierra

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The macOS High Sierra update process consists of three main stages. This guide will walk you through each step to ensure your Mac updates smoothly without any data loss or installation problems.

Downloading the High Sierra installer

Getting the High Sierra installer is your first step. The Mac App Store offers a direct download through this link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12. If you face issues with the App Store download, here are some alternatives:

A grayed-out App Store button might indicate your Mac isn’t compatible with High Sierra
Download from another High Sierra-compatible Mac and transfer the installer
Use a direct catalog link or the macOS High Sierra Patcher tool to resolve persistent problems

Note that the complete installer needs about 5.4GB of free space on your Mac.

Running the installation process

The next phase starts after you get the installer:

Launch the installer from Applications if it doesn’t start automatically
Click Continue at the prompt
Follow the installer’s on-screen instructions
Use a cable connection to your router instead of WiFi for better stability

Your Mac needs about 30 minutes to complete the installation. The process works best when you avoid using your Mac or other devices on the same network.

Navigating setup options

The final stage involves setting up your system:

Click Agree to accept the license agreement
Choose your destination disk when asked
SSD users can opt for APFS as their file system
Standard HDDs work best with macOS Extended (Journaled) format

After these steps, your Mac will update automatically and restart with the new operating system installed.

Optimizing Your Mac After the High Sierra Update

The macOS High Sierra update process requires several significant steps to optimize your system’s performance. Your system needs proper verification and adjustments right after the update to ensure smooth operation.

Verifying successful installation

The system information check comes first after your High Sierra update. The Apple icon in the top-left corner leads to “About This Mac,” where version 10.13.x should appear. APFS conversions might cause firmware verification problems. Disk Utility’s First Aid function helps solve these issues quickly. Recovery Mode (Command+R at startup) provides more repair options if errors continue to persist.

Restoring important settings

Your system might need additional software updates after the High Sierra installation. System Preferences > Software Update shows available patches and security fixes. Storage optimization plays a vital role in system performance. The Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage offers recommendations to free up space. Your Mac’s performance might improve if you close unnecessary background applications through Activity Monitor.

Checking app compatibility

Many applications face compatibility issues with High Sierra. Microsoft Office 2011 users need to upgrade to version 2016 (15.35 or later) since the older version lacks official support. Adobe programs, particularly CS6 and earlier versions, might not work properly. Java SE 6 runtime-dependent apps could require a fresh installation. Creative Cloud users should update their apps to the latest versions before running them.

App updates solve most compatibility problems. A clean installation using a bootable installer might help if essential apps continue to malfunction. This approach needs data restoration from backups afterward, so choose your solution based on your specific needs.

Conclusion on How to Update macOS High Sierra

Updating macOS High Sierra needs proper planning and attention to detail. Each step must be followed carefully – from checking compatibility to post-update optimization. This will give a smooth upgrade experience.

Backing up your data is crucial before any system update. Your Mac’s compatibility needs to be verified first. Make sure you have enough storage space and update all existing apps. These steps will protect you from potential risks during the High Sierra installation.

Becoming skilled at updating macOS High Sierra goes beyond the basic installation. The system needs regular maintenance, compatibility checks, and storage optimization to perform at its best. Apple’s support resources and recovery tools can help solve the problems of updates if you run into trouble during or after the process.

FAQs on How to Update macOS High Sierra?

Is my Mac compatible with macOS High Sierra?

macOS High Sierra is compatible with most Mac models from 2009 or later. To check compatibility, ensure your Mac has at least 2GB of RAM, 14.3GB of available storage space, and is running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later. You can verify your Mac’s model and specifications by clicking the Apple icon and selecting “About This Mac.”

How do I download and install macOS High Sierra?

To download macOS High Sierra, visit the Mac App Store and search for “macOS High Sierra.” Click “Download” to begin. Once downloaded, the installer will launch automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. It’s recommended to connect your Mac to a power source and have a stable internet connection during the update.

What should I do before updating to macOS High Sierra?

Before updating, create a complete backup of your Mac using Time Machine or a third-party tool. Check for available storage space (at least 15GB recommended), update all your current apps, and close all running applications. It’s also a good idea to verify your Mac’s compatibility and ensure you have a stable internet connection.

How long does the macOS High Sierra update take?

The update process for macOS High Sierra typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your Mac’s specifications and internet speed. However, it’s best to set aside a few hours for the entire process, including preparation and post-update optimization.

What should I do after updating to macOS High Sierra?

After updating, verify the successful installation by checking your macOS version in “About This Mac.” Install any additional software updates that may be available. Check the compatibility of your apps and update them if necessary. If you experience any issues, consider running Disk Utility’s First Aid function or booting into Recovery Mode for additional repair options.