About Software Updates
Updates to the system software can be installed via the 'Software Update' panel in the 'System Settings.app' (called 'System Preferences.app' before macOS 13).
Users that are not running the latest major macOS version usually will see two options, as shown in the screenshot below:
- Upgrade to the latest major macOS version e.g. macOS 14 to macOS 15
- Update the currently installed major macOS version. e.g. macOS 15.6.1 to macOS 15.7
1. Upgrading to the latest major macOS Version
To upgrade from the currently installed major macOS version to the latest major version you should first take note the information About macOS Versions. Once you decided that you want to upgrade the OS, and you did the recommended preparations outlined in Apples HT211683 you just click on 'Upgrade Now'.
2. Updating the currently installed major macOS Version
To update the currently installed major macOS version instead of upgrading to the latest major version you need to click on the 'More Info...'/'i' icon link below the 'Also available'.
The window will now change to something like this:
Be sure to select the right version and click on 'Update Now' to proceed.