How to Update Mac without Derailing Your Day (macOS Ventura Update)

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Updates on your MacBook can be easy to ignore or miss, but they're critical to the health and function of your computer. Sometimes you'll get a notification on your screen letting you know about an available macOS update, but other times you might need (or want) to check for updates manually. Here's how to update a MacBook or Mac to the latest software: macOS Ventura.

Jump To:

• How to Update a Mac on Monterey & Earlier
• How to Update a Mac on Venture

How to Update MacBook & Mac Computers on Monterey & Earlier

It can be a good idea to back up your Mac before you run a Mac update, in case you experience any issues or data loss. For more tips for keeping your Apple devices running smoothly, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

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Here's how to update macOS to the latest Mac software:

1. Click the Apple Menu icon on in the upper-left corner of your Mac's screen.
   
   
2. Click System Preferences.
   
   
3. Click Software Update.
   
   
4. If a software update is available, click the button that says Update Now.
   
   
5. Click Agree for the Software License Agreement.
   
   
6. A progress bar will appear to show you how far along your Mac update is.
   
   
7. Once the update is downloaded, a bubble will appear informing you that you will need to restart your computer.
   
   
8. Hover your cursor over the bubble until you see Restart, then click it.
   
   
9. Enter your computer passcode to restart your computer.
   
   

How to Update a Mac on Ventura

With macOS Ventura, the process changes a bit because the Settings menu changed entirely to more closely resemble the iPhone and iPad Settings. Here's how to update a MacBook or other Mac computer on macOS Ventura:

1. Click on your Apple Menu icon.
   
   
2. Click System Settings.
   
   
3. Click General.
   
   
4. Click Software Update.
   
   
5. Your computer will search for updates. If there's one available, the name will appear under Updates Available.
   
   
6. Click Restart Now.
   
   
7. Enter your passcode and click OK to restart the computer and install the update.
   
   
8. Your computer will restart and install the update in the process.

Updates to macOS software are frequent, whether they're the larger updates that occur once every year or so, or the smaller updates in between the larger ones. You will generally get a notification to do a Mac or MacBook update when it's time, but it's always a good idea to check for Software Updates manually as well, as demonstrated above. Next, check out this article on setting up Universal Control, one of the most exciting macOS Monterey features! Or take it easy and learn how to how to download movies for free on your MacBook.