Upgrade to macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. Get even more transparency around your privacy.

Mac Pro (2013 or later)

To see which model you have, click the Apple icon in your menu bar and choose About This Mac.

Learn more about which models are compatible

Make sure you’re ready to upgrade.

Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. If your Mac is running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Big Sur. You’ll need the following:

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra or later*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Learn how to back up your Mac

Upgrading is free and easy

Upgrading from macOS Catalina 10.15 or Mojave 10.14?

Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find macOS Big Sur. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions.

Upgrading from an older version of macOS?

If you’re running any release from macOS 10.13 to 10.9, you can upgrade to macOS Big Sur from the App Store. If you’re running Mountain Lion 10.8, you will need to upgrade to El Capitan 10.11 first.

If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.

Learn more about how to upgrade

Dictation, Voice Control, and Voice Memos

Requires a microphone (built‑in or external).

Spotlight Suggestions

Requires a broadband internet connection.

Gestures

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.

Photo Booth

Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built‑in or external) or USB video class (UVC) camera.

FaceTime

Audio calls require a microphone (built‑in or external) and broadband internet connection.

Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built‑in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera, and broadband internet connection.

Apple TV

High dynamic range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:

MacBook Pro (2018 or later)

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro (2019) with Pro Display XDR

Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:

MacBook Air (2018 or later)

MacBook Pro (2018 or later)

Sidecar

Supported by the following Mac models:

MacBook (2016 or later)

MacBook Air (2018 or later)

MacBook Pro (2016 or later)

Mac mini (2018 or later)

iMac (late 2015 or later)

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro (2019)

Supported by all iPad models with Apple Pencil support:

12.9-inch iPad Pro

11-inch iPad Pro

10.5-inch iPad Pro

9.7-inch iPad Pro

iPad (6th generation or later)

iPad mini (5th generation)

iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation)

Continuity Camera

Requires an iPhone or iPad that supports iOS 12 or later.

Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup

Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 13 or later.

Handoff

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector or with USB-C and iOS 8 or later.

Instant Hotspot

Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector or USB-C, and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.

Universal Clipboard

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector or with USB-C and iOS 10 or later.

Auto Unlock

Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later, or an iPhone 5 or later.

Approve with Apple Watch

Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 6 or later, or an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 or later.

Phone Calling

Requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.

Requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.

Requires an iPhone with iOS 12 or later and a configured Home app.

AirDrop

AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector, or with USB-C and iOS 7 or later.

AirPlay

AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).

AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.

Time Machine

Requires an external storage device (sold separately).

Learn more

Maps electric vehicle routing

Requires an iPhone with iOS 14 and a compatible electric vehicle.

Boot Camp

Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10 on supported Mac models.

Learn more

Exchange Support

Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.

Windows Migration

Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows 7 or later.

App Store

Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries and regions.

Photos

The improved Retouch tool is supported on the following Mac models:

MacBook Pro (15-inch and 16-inch models) introduced in 2016 or later

iMac (Retina 5K models) introduced in 2014 or later

iMac (Retina 4K models) introduced in 2017 or later

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

*If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, macOS Big Sur requires 35.5GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, macOS Big Sur requires up to 44.5GB of available storage.

Some features may not be available for all countries or regions. View complete list .

iCloud requires an Apple ID, an active internet connection, and up-to-date software. Learn more about specific iCloud feature requirements