Sierra is a node in Apple's continuing journey to dumb down the OS, and ultimately the Mac, by eliminating useful features and make the Mac a less capable machine. As of September 25, 2017, macOS 10.13 High Sierra is publicly available for all Mac users to install. Office 2016 for Mac is fully supported on High Sierra. For the best experience, we recommend you update Office to version 15.38 or later. For updates regarding macOS 10.14 Mojave, see Microsoft Office support for macOS 10.14 Mojave.
Check compatibility
You can upgrade to macOS High Sierra from OS X Mountain Lion or later on any of the following Mac models. Your Mac also needs at least 2GB of memory and 14.3GB of available storage space.
MacBook introduced in late 2009 or later
MacBook Air introduced in late 2010 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in mid 2010 or later
Mac mini introduced in mid 2010 or later
iMac introduced in late 2009 or later
Mac Pro introduced in mid 2010 or later
MacBook Air introduced in late 2010 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in mid 2010 or later
Mac mini introduced in mid 2010 or later
iMac introduced in late 2009 or later
Mac Pro introduced in mid 2010 or later
To find your Mac model, memory, storage space, and macOS version, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu . If your Mac isn't compatible with macOS High Sierra, the installer will let you know.
Make a backup
Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.
Get connected
It takes time to download and install macOS, so make sure that you have a reliable Internet connection. If you're using a Mac notebook computer, plug it into AC power.
Download macOS High Sierra
For the strongest security and latest features, find out whether you can upgrade to macOS Catalina, the latest version of the Mac operating system.
If you still need macOS High Sierra, use this App Store link: Get macOS High Sierra.
Begin installation
After downloading, the installer opens automatically.
Click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You might find it easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.
If the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool, enter the administrator name and password that you use to log in to your Mac, then click Add Helper.
Allow installation to complete
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart, show a progress bar, or show a blank screen several times as it installs both macOS and related updates to your Mac firmware.
Learn more
- If you have hardware or software that isn't compatible with High Sierra, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as Sierra or El Capitan.
- macOS High Sierra won't install on top of a later version of macOS, but you can erase your disk first or install on another disk.
- You can use macOS Recovery to reinstall macOS.
Apple have released a developer beta of their upcoming operating system named macOS High Sierra, which will be macOS 10.13. The name High Sierra continues on with their California landmarks with the name after a scenic CA region, it should be publicly available between September to November.
Lucklily for most the new macOS High Sierra 10.13 will run on the same machines as its predecessor macOS Sierra 10.12. Apple had already dropped support for any models pre late 2009 for MacBook and iMac. And anything pre 2010 for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and Mac Pro.
You’ll still require a 64bit Intel processor, 8GBs of free disk space – if upgrading, as appose to clean install min plus at least 2GB of RAM.
The Macs that will run macOS Sierra
- iMac – all models from late 2009, iMac 10,1 – 17,1
- MacBook & MacBook Retina – all models from late 2009, MacBook 6,1 – 9,1
- MacBook Pro – all models from 2010, MacBook Pro 7,1 – 11,5
- MacBookAir – all models from 2010, MacBook Air 3,1 – 7,2
- Mac Mini – all models from 2010, Mac Mini 4,1 – 7,1
- Mac Pro – all models from 2010, Mac Pro 5,1 – 6,1
Which means most devices made prior to 2008 won’t be able to run it.
The ones that fall short…
– macOS High Sierra won’t runon –
- iMac 4,1 – 9,1
- MacBook 1,1 – 5,1
- MacBook Pro 1,1 – 5,2
- MacBookAir 1,1 – 2,1
- Mac Mini 1,1 – 3,1
- Mac Pro 1,1 – 4,1
- Xserve 1,1 – 3,1
How you find your Mac Model Number
>Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info … > System Report … Model Identifier
Or for you terminal freaks…
HEVC | H.265 | MPEG-H Part 2 Decoding
The new operating system supports High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) but only machines with the Intel Kaby Lake take full advantage of it.
- iMac: late 2015 27″ or newer, mid-2017 21.5″ or newer
- MacBook Pro: late 2016 or newer
- MacBook Retina: early 2016 or newer