Written by
Sherry Song
Summary: Keeping MacBook running the most suitable version is important. If you are using macOS High Sierra and wanna do updates or upgrades, follow us with the methods. For a successful action, you'd better clear enough space and iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac is an excellent tool.
Is your MacBook running macOS High Sierra? Keeping your Mac up-to-date is essential for security, performance, and compatibility in daily usage.
I need to update my MacBook with High Sierra 10.13.6, but I can't find any updates, How can I update? -apple.discussion.com
I am planning to upgrade from High Sierra to higher version but I can't find a compatible version of my current version. Is there a way to update or upgrade? -reddit.com
Whether you're looking for how to update MacBook High Sierra to the latest version or upgrade to a newer macOS, this guide covers everything useful you need to know.
A summary table to update or upgrade from macOS High Sierra
Before diving into the steps, let's first identify whether you need to do these or which way to utilize them:
| Scenario | Solution |
| Stay on macOS High Sierra but apply security patches and fixes | Update High Sierra |
| Move from macOS High Sierra to a newer macOS version (e.g., Mojave, Catalina.) | Upgrade to a newer macOS |
| Want a fresh installation of High Sierra or another macOS version | Use a bootable installer |
Choose the solution based on your case, and follow the detailed instructions below.
The preparation to update or upgrade from MacBook High Sierra
Proper preparation ensures a smooth update or upgrade from MacBook High Sierra. First, know which macOS or OS X can your Mac run, then use Time Machine or an external hard drive to back up your files to avoid losing important data.
To avoid potential errors during installation or can't succeed in upgrading at last, you'd better clean up and optimize your disk storage space using iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac.
iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac is a macOS optimization tool designed to clear unnecessary clutter from your drives. The Clean Junk feature identifies and eliminates junk files from the startup disk, enhancing your MacBook's performance.
(Note: Having sufficient free space at least 20GB is critical for updates or upgrades.)
Let's clear more space for update/upgrade with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac:
- Free download, install, and open it.
- Select the volume from the left sidebar (usually named Macintosh HD/Macintosh HD - Data/macOS - Data).
- Click Clean Junk from the toolbar.
- Select a folder from the left then select the unwanted data, and click Clean > Ok.
So easy and convenient! Or you can use Space Analyze to see the files from big to small to give a complete clean. Moreover, this tool can backup APFS drives, test Mac drive speed, and so on...
How to update MacBook High Sierra?
If you want to stay on macOS High Sierra but apply the latest security updates and patches, you could update MacBook High Sierra to the latest version:
- Apple menu > System Settings > General.
- Click Software Update then check whether there is something new in Available Updates.
- Click Update Tonight or Update Now.
- Wait for the download and install, then restart your Mac when prompted to complete the process.
If you see nothing or get a message "Unable to check for updates", read to find answers.
How to upgrade MacBook from High Sierra?
For the newer macOS version compared with High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina seems to be the most suitable, you can do High Serria upgrade Mac to take advantage of new features and enhanced performance.
Commonly, reinstalling macOS from macOS Recovery mode can work. Other methods are talked about here:
# Use Software Update/App Store
macOS versions can be found in some old or ancient macOS, you may do:
- Apple menu > System Settings > General.
- Click Software Update then check whether there is Upgrade Now.
(Or you can open the App Store, search for macOS, and after finding the right version, click the Get or Download button. Then downloading it, click Continue.)
- Follow the installation instructions.
Also, you can go to Apple's website, you can look for and click your desired macOS version > Open App Store and click Get/Download. If this fails, please download macOS High Sierra here.
# Use a bootable installer
A bootable installer is handy for installing macOS on multiple devices without repeatedly downloading the installer or when macOS Recovery or other installation methods aren't viable. Here is how to upgrade macOS High Sierra:
- Search for macOS High Sierra in the App Store and download it.
(Or click this site to find the wanted version > Open App Store > Get/Download.)
- Insert a USB drive (at least 16GB).
- Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB and press the Enter key.
(Replace MyUSB with your USB drive's name, learn it with the command diskutil list.) - Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key during boot.
- Select the USB drive from the boot menu.
- Choose to upgrade or perform a clean install.
Want to the latest macOS? Or you can know how to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac. After learning how to update MacBook High Sierra or upgrade it, please share our post to help more Mac users.
Some tips for MacBook High Sierra updates
You can take these tips for reference when updating or upgrading macOS High Sierra:
- Ensure a stable network: Use a reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection during downloads.
- Check for sufficient storage: Free up space using tools like iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac or manually delete large files.
- Update third-party software: Ensure apps are compatible with the new macOS version.
- Reset SMC and NVRAM (if needed): If you experience issues after updating, reset the System Management Controller (SMC) and NVRAM.
- Keep your Mac plugged in: Prevent interruptions by connecting to a power source during updates or upgrades.
Conclusion
Updating or upgrading macOS High Sierra doesn't have to be daunting. Whether you're staying on High Sierra or moving to a newer macOS version, following these steps ensures a seamless process. Don't forget to prepare your Mac with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac to get optimal results.
Stay up to date for better performance and security!
