How To Update Macos High Sierra 10.13.6 To 10.15 Link
Important assumptions made: you have a Mac that supports macOS Catalina (2012–2019 Macs generally; see Apple compatibility list below). This guide prescribes a safe, actionable upgrade path and fallback steps.
Moving from macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to Catalina 10.15 is a multi-step but entirely doable process. By backing up, checking 32-bit app compatibility, freeing disk space, and carefully following the installation steps, you can breathe new life into an older Mac.
Once on Catalina, enjoy the modern macOS interface, tighter integration with iOS devices, and the comfort of knowing you’re no longer running an OS that’s half a decade old. Just remember: always keep a Time Machine backup, and if performance is sluggish after a week, consider clean-installing Catalina (erase and install from scratch) – but that’s a guide for another day.
Final checklist before clicking “Install”:
Good luck, and enjoy macOS Catalina!
To update from macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to macOS Catalina 10.15, you must first confirm your hardware is compatible. If it is, you can download the installer directly from the Mac App Store. 1. Check Hardware Compatibility
Your Mac must be one of the following models to officially run macOS Catalina: MacBook: Early 2015 or newer MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer Mac mini: Late 2012 or newer iMac: Late 2012 or newer iMac Pro: 2017 or newer Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer 2. Prepare for the Update
Back up your data: Use Time Machine to back up your Mac before starting.
Check 32-bit apps: Catalina does not support 32-bit apps. Many older programs (like older versions of Microsoft Office or Adobe CS6) will stop working.
Free up space: You need at least 15–20 GB of available storage. how to update macos high sierra 10.13.6 to 10.15
Check internet: Ensure you have a stable broadband connection for the 8 GB download. 3. Download and Install
Since 10.13.6 is an older version, the update will not appear in "Software Update." You must use the App Store. Open the macOS Catalina page in the Mac App Store. Click Get or Download.
The Software Update window in System Preferences will open; click Download again.
Once the download finishes, the installer will open automatically.
Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire upgrade process: How to Upgrade to Catalina Mac OS X 10.15 Gemsbok Apple Tips and Tricks YouTube• Dec 4, 2019 Troubleshooting & Tips macOS - How to Upgrade - Apple (SI)
Upgrading from macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to macOS Catalina 10.15 is a significant jump. This transition not only modernizes your system but also fundamentally changes how your Mac operates—most notably by ending support for 32-bit applications.
Below is a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for and complete this upgrade safely. 1. Check Hardware Compatibility
Before starting, ensure your Mac model officially supports Catalina. Because Catalina requires a Metal-capable GPU, some older machines that ran High Sierra cannot move forward to 10.15. Compatible Models: MacBook: Early 2015 or newer MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer Mac mini: Late 2012 or newer iMac: Late 2012 or newer iMac Pro: 2017 Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer Minimum System Requirements: Memory: At least 4GB of RAM. Important assumptions made: you have a Mac that
Storage: Approximately 15GB to 18.5GB of available disk space for the installation. 2. Critical Pre-Upgrade Steps
Do not skip these steps, as the upgrade to Catalina changes your drive format to APFS and removes 32-bit app support.
Backup Your Data: Use the built-in Time Machine tool to create a full system backup to an external drive. This is your safety net if the installation fails.
Check App Compatibility: Catalina will not run 32-bit apps. Use a tool like Go64 or check About This Mac > System Report > Legacy Software to see which apps will stop working.
Check Your Drive Health: Open Disk Utility (found in Applications > Utilities) and run First Aid on your startup disk to ensure there are no errors before the OS rewrite begins. 3. How to Update: Step-by-Step
On High Sierra 10.13.6, you will often not see the Catalina update in the standard "Software Update" window. You must typically find it in the Mac App Store. Upgrade to macOS Catalina. - Apple
Upgrading from macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to macOS Catalina 10.15 is a significant jump that transitions your system from a 32-bit/64-bit hybrid to a strictly 64-bit
architecture. This update is free and generally straightforward if your hardware is compatible. Apple Support Community 1. Check Hardware Compatibility
Before starting, ensure your Mac model supports Catalina. Officially, it requires a Metal-capable GPU Early 2015 or newer MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer Late 2012 or newer Late 2012 or newer 2017 or newer Late 2013 or newer Apple Support Upgrade to macOS Catalina. - Apple Good luck, and enjoy macOS Catalina
Important Note: As of 2026, both macOS High Sierra (10.13) and macOS Catalina (10.15) are considered obsolete and no longer receive security updates from Apple. Furthermore, Catalina is a 64-bit only operating system. Before proceeding, understand that you will permanently lose the ability to run any 32-bit applications.
Updating from High Sierra to Catalina requires a manual download of the installer, but the process is straightforward. Just remember to check for 32-bit apps before you start, as this is the one update that breaks legacy software compatibility.
For users still running macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), moving to macOS Catalina (10.15) represents a significant architectural shift. This is not a minor patch but a complete operating system upgrade that changes how your Mac handles apps, media, and security.
However, unlike modern macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia), upgrading from High Sierra to Catalina can be technically tricky because Apple has removed the direct "Software Update" path for many older machines. Here is the definitive guide to making the jump.
A minimum of 12.5 GB of available storage is required for the installation process. It is recommended to have at least 20 GB free to account for temporary files and post-installation caches.
If you open System Preferences > Software Update on High Sierra 10.13.6, you might see "Your Mac is up to date." This is because Apple's CDN (Content Delivery Network) often deprecates upgrade paths for older OS versions.
You cannot upgrade directly from High Sierra to Catalina using the modern System Settings panel.
Major operating system upgrades carry an inherent risk of data loss. A robust backup strategy is mandatory.
