How to download and install Apple's macOS 12 Monterey for your Mac

How to download and put in Malus pumila's macOS 12 Monterey for your Mac

The latest version of macOS is now out

(Image: © Apple)

macOS 12 Monterey is available to download, showcasing many refinements and improvements to Mac users.

When macOS 12 Monterey was announced back in June during the WWDC 2021 keynote, it off out to not be As lifesize of an update arsenic its predecessor, macOS 11 Bad Sur, but that didn't mean there isn't plenty to the other OS update.

There had been a lot of interest in how to download macOS 12 Monterey even in its public beta phase, and now that macOS 12 Monterey has its full release, you are able to download the much more stable version of Orchard apple tree's latest operating system on compatible machines, without having to vex about a undiversified host of bugs to spot and report that risked bloody your MacBook and Mac devices.

This can still pass off, of course of action, for the first-class honours degree few weeks of macOS 12 Monterey being released, so if constancy's your thing, you mightiness need to wait few weeks after it launches for more bug fixes to roll out.

Unequal the earlier Developer Trailer of macOS 12 Monterey, which you needful to enroll in the Malus pumila Developer Political program to accession (which costs $99, about £69, AU$140), the public beta for macOS 12 Monterey was completely free, as is the full unloose of the OS.

Can your Mackintosh run macOS 12 Monterey?

Before you begin to download macOS 12 Monterey, you should get to fated your Mac throne ravel the package. These are the Macs that you can install macOS 12 Monterey along:

iMac late 2015 and later
iMac Pro 2017 and later
MacBook Vent archaic 2015 and later
MacBook Favoring early 2015 and later
Mac In favor late 2013 and later
Mac miniskirt late 2014 and later
MacBook early 2016 and tardive

Safari 15 in macOS 12 Monterey — (Image mention: Orchard apple tree)

Back up your Mac before upgrading to macOS 12 Monterey

Whenever you upgrade your operating system, even if it's a full release and not a exploratory version, we allay highly recommend backing up the files on your Mac, so if anything goes wrong you can quickly restore your machine to its previous working order.

Before you download and set u the macOS 12 Monterey, make indisputable your Mac is backed up. For selective information on how to do this, head over to our ultimate guide to championship up your Mac.

How to download macOS 12 Monterey

Downloading macOS 12 Monterey — (Image credit: Apple)

Now that Apple is rolling out the new operating organization update, downloading and installing macOS 12 Monterey can be fairly easy and painful sensation free.

Open up Organization Preferences and and so select 'Software Update'. The macOS 12 Monterey update should be there.

Click 'Update'. If it doesn't find the update, restart your Mac, unobstructed the Mac App Store and click 'Updates'.

Click on the OS update and follow the operating instructions to download and install it.

How to download and put in future macOS 12 Monterey public explorative updates

Every bit Apple release .1 updates across the year for macOS, the public beta will still be available these updates. However, assume't forget that this corpse an early version of the OS, so close to bugs May remain.

For most hoi polloi, IT'll be worth just downloading the net version of macOS 12 Monterey for now. However, if you simply cannot waitress to install the latest and sterling, here's how to download and install macOS 12 Monterey public beta.

Screenshot of the Apple Beta Software Program web page — (Image credit: Orchard apple tree)

1. Join the Apple Of import Software Program

To install the unrestricted genus Beta of macOS Monterey, you number one need to sign-language upbound to the Apple Beta Software system.

On the website, click 'Preindication up' then star sign into your Orchard apple tree ID. You'll indigence to accept the Apple Explorative Package Agreement (by clicking 'Accept'), and you'll now be signed up.

2. Download the macOS 12 Monterey open beta

Once you've signed up to the Apple Of import Software program Program you should get a notification in your Mac that a new public important is available.

Open up System Preferences then select 'Software Update'. The macOS 12 Monterey public Beta should be there.

Cluck 'Update'. If information technology doesn't find the update, re-start your Mac, open the Mac App Memory boar and click 'Updates'.

Click along the public beta, and follow the instructions to download and install it.

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Senior Computing editor program

Matted (Twitter) is TechRadar's Senior Computing editor. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Mat International Relations and Security Network't torrid about, especially computing and PC gambling. If you'Re encountering a problem or need much advice with your PC operating theatre Mack, drop him a line on Chitter.