Upgrade From Mountain Lion

1. Upgrade From Mountain Lion To Catalina
2. How To Upgrade To Mavericks
3. Upgrade From Mountain Lion To Catalina

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.

If you search for OS X Lion in the Mac App Store you'll only find Mountain Lion, and Apple no longer sells an OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive (part number MD256Z/A) in its online store. One of your options is to buy from Amazon or another online retailer. Well the Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 is the dawn update for MacBook users especially. Apple focused on decoding and solving the bugs that erupted among the various MacBook users with the Beta version release of the Mac OS X Mountain lion. The Mountain Lion OS also improved the user interface of the MacBook interface.

Chances are your Mac can run macOS Big Sur

The following models are supported:

• MacBook (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro (late 2013 or later)
• Mac mini (2014 or later)
• iMac (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later)
• Mac Pro (2013 or later)

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

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 of 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.

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.

• OS X 10.9 or later
• 4GB of memory
• 35.5GB of 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.

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Big Sur:

• MacBook (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro (late 2013 or later)
• Mac mini (2014 or later)

• iMac (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later)
• Mac Pro (2013 or later)

Siri

Requires a broadband internet connection and microphone (built-in or external).

Hey Siri

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later)

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 a 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)

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 USB-C, and iOS 8 or later.

Instant Hotspot

Requires an iPhone or iPad with mobile 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 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.

Apple Pay on the Web

Requires a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air with Touch ID; an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or later; or an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later.

Phone Calling

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

SMS

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

Home

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 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).

Maps electric vehicle routing

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

Maps licence plate restrictions

Requires an iPhone running iOS 14 or an iPad running iPadOS 14.

Boot Camp

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

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 aged 13 or older in the US 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

• Apple Books
• Apple News
• App Store
• Automator
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Chess
• Contacts
• Dictionary
• DVD Player
• FaceTime
• Find My
• Font Book
• Home
• Image Capture
• Launchpad
• Mail
• Maps

• Messages
• Mission Control
• Music
• Notes
• Photo Booth
• Photos
• Podcasts
• Preview
• QuickTime Player
• Reminders
• Safari
• Siri
• Stickies
• Stocks
• System Preferences
• TextEdit
• Time Machine
• TV
• Voice Memos

• Activity Monitor
• AirPort Utility
• Audio MIDI Setup
• Bluetooth File Exchange
• Boot Camp Assistant
• ColorSync Utility
• Console
• Digital Color Meter
• Disk Utility

• Grapher
• Keychain Access
• Migration Assistant
• Screenshot
• Screen Time
• Script Editor
• Sidecar
• System Information
• Terminal
• VoiceOver Utility

• Arabic
• Catalan
• Croatian
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Traditional) (Hong Kong)
• Czech
• Danish
• Dutch
• English (Australia)
• English (UK)
• English (US)
• Finnish
• French
• French (Canada)
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Hindi
• Hungarian

• Indonesian
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Malay
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Portuguese
• Romanian
• Russian
• Slovak
• Spanish
• Spanish (Latin America)
• Swedish
• Thai
• Turkish
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese

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Upgrading to OS X Yosemite

If you're thinking about upgrading to Yosemite, you'll need to make sure your computer meets all of the software and hardware requirements. Here are the things you'll need to have:

• Apple Macintosh computer (Mac): Generally, you'll need to have a Mac in order to install OS X Yosemite. Installing Yosemite on a PC is possible, but it requires more advanced techniques.
• OS X Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks: If you are using an older version of OS X such as Leopard, you will need to upgrade to Snow Leopard (version 10.6.8) before upgrading to Yosemite.
• Internet access: To install Yosemite, you will need to download it from the Mac App Store, which requires a working Internet connection. Yosemite is not available on CD or DVD.
• Hardware requirements: Your Mac will need to meet certain processor, memory, and hard drive requirements to install Yosemite. Below are the models that can be upgraded:
• iMac (mid-2007 or newer)
• MacBook (late 2008 Aluminum or early 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 or newer)
• MacBook Air (late 2008 or newer)
• Mac mini (early 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (early 2008 or newer)
• Xserve (early 2009)

For a full list of hardware requirements, view the OS X Yosemite How to Upgrade page.

Viewing information about your Mac

To upgrade to Yosemite, you'll need to know what type of hardware your Mac has, as well as which version of OS X you are using. Then you can compare it with the requirements above to decide whether you'll be able to upgrade. On a Mac, all of your system information is visible from the About This Mac window.

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen, then select About This Mac.

   
   

   Selecting About This Mac
2. A window will appear that shows information about your hardware and software.

   
   

Software compatibility

In order for software to work, it must be compatible with the operating system; therefore, you may not be able to use all of your existing software if you switch to a different operating system. Before you switch, ask yourself if there's any software that you can't do without. Then conduct some research to find out if it is compatible with Yosemite.

Upgrading from earlier versions of OS X

If you are upgrading from an earlier version of OS X, most of your apps should still work. However, it's possible that some might not. A simple Google search will often be enough to tell if an app will be compatible in Yosemite.

Switching from Windows to OS X

Some PC software will not work in OS X, but there may be a Mac version you can buy or download. For example, Microsoft Office 2013 does not run in OS X, but you can buy Microsoft Office for Mac to view and edit your documents. However, not all software has a Mac version, and you may need to do some research to find out if there are Mac versions for your most important programs.

Installing Windows on a Mac

If you absolutely need to use PC software and there isn't a Mac version, you can use a feature called Boot Camp. Boot Camp comes pre-installed in OS X, and it allows you to install Windows on your Mac (if you have the Windows installation discs). You can then install any PC software you need.

The main disadvantage of Boot Camp is that you have to restart your computer whenever you want to switch between OS X and Windows. If you need to run PC and Mac software at the same time, you will need to buy additional software such as Parallels or VMware.

Installing OS X Yosemite

OS X Yosemite is free to download and install if you have already have Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks. If you have an earlier version, you may be able to buy and install Snow Leopard, which will then allow you to download Yosemite; you'll first need to make sure your hardware will support Yosemite. For more information, contact an Apple retailer or call (800) MY-APPLE (in the United States).

Upgrade From Mountain Lion To Catalina

About the Apple ID

In order to download Yosemite, you'll need an Apple ID. The Apple ID is used to sign on for many different Apple services, including the Mac App Store, iTunes Store, and the Apple Online Store.

You may already have an Apple ID, especially if you've purchased music from the iTunes Store or owned a Mac before. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one when you download Yosemite. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your mailing address and credit card number.

If you don't have an Apple ID, you can read our guide to Creating an Apple ID for more information.

To download and install OS X Yosemite:

1. Click the App Store icon on the Dock. The App Store will open.

   
   

2. Locate and select OS X Yosemite, then click Free Upgrade.
3. Type your Apple ID and Password to sign in. If you don't have an Apple ID, click Create Apple ID and follow the steps on the screen to create one.
   Creating a new Apple ID
4. Once you've entered your Apple ID, your computer will begin downloading Yosemite. This may take several minutes or longer, depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
5. After Yosemite has finished downloading, follow the instructions on the screen to install it.

Moving your files from another computer

Yosemite makes it easy to transfer all of your files to your new Mac using the built-in Migration Assistant. It lets you choose which folders and accounts you want to copy, and it can then transfer the files using an external hard drive, an existing home network, a FireWire cable, or an Ethernet cable. Migration Assistant can also transfer files from a PC to your new Mac.

How To Upgrade To Mavericks

If you are using a brand new Mac, the Migration Assistant will appear when you first turn on the computer. If you would prefer to run it later, you can get to it by opening Launchpad and clicking the Utilities folder. Alternatively, you can search for it with Spotlight by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

Upgrade From Mountain Lion To Catalina

For full instructions on migrating your files, view the Migration Assistant page on the Apple website.