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

The latest version of macOS is today out

(Image: © Apple)

macOS 12 Monterey is disposable to download, showcasing umpteen refinements and improvements to Mac users.

When macOS 12 Monterey was announced back in June during the WWDC 2021 keynote, it turned out to non be as astronomical of an update as its predecessor, macOS 11 Big Sur, but that didn't mean there International Relations and Security Network't plenty to the new OS update.

There had been a lot of interest in how to download macOS 12 Monterey even out in its public beta form, and now that macOS 12 Monterey has its full release, you are able to download the much many stable version of Apple's latest operating system on compatible machines, without having to worry about a whole Host of bugs to spot and report that risked crashing your MacBook and Mac devices.

This can still happen, of course, for the first few weeks of macOS 12 Monterey being released, so if stableness's your thing, you might want to expect a few weeks after IT launches for more bug fixes to roll out.

Unlike the earlier Developer Preview of macOS 12 Monterey, which you needed to enroll in the Apple Developer Broadcast to access (which costs $99, about £69, AU$140), the common beta for macOS 12 Monterey was completely disengage, as is the ladened release of the OS.

Can your Mac run macOS 12 Monterey?

Before you get to download macOS 12 Monterey, you should make doomed your Mac can incline the software. These are the Macs that you commode install macOS 12 Monterey on:

iMac late 2015 and tardive
iMac Pro 2017 and later
MacBook Air early 2015 and later
MacBook Pro early 2015 and afterwards
Mac Pro late 2013 and later
Mac mini late 2014 and future
MacBook early 2016 and later

Safari 15 in macOS 12 Monterey — (Image credit: Apple)

Back up your Mac before upgrading to macOS 12 Monterey

Whenever you upgrade your operating system, even if it's a total exit and non a beta reading, we still highly recommend backing up the files on your Mac, so if anything goes wrong you tush speedily reinstate your machine to its previous working order.

Before you download and install the macOS 12 Monterey, make a point your Mack is backed in the lead. For information on how to do this, head over to our ultimate guide to backing up your Mac.

How to download macOS 12 Monterey

Downloading macOS 12 Monterey — (Trope credit: Apple)

Today that Apple is resonating out the new operating system update, downloading and installing macOS 12 Monterey can be fairly easy and pain free.

Open System Preferences and then select 'Software Update'. The macOS 12 Monterey update should cost there.

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

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

How to download and install future macOS 12 Monterey public beta updates

As Apple release .1 updates across the year for macOS, the public beta will nevertheless be on hand these updates. Nevertheless, get into't forget that this remains an early version of the operating system, so some bugs may remain.

For about people, IT'll be worthy just downloading the net version of macOS 12 Monterey for directly. However, if you simply cannot wait to put in the latest and superior, Here's how to download and install macOS 12 Monterey public beta.

Screenshot of the Apple Beta Software Program web page — (Image recognition: Apple)

1. Join the Apple Beta Software package

To set up the public exploratory of macOS Monterey, you first indigence to sign adequate to the Apple Important Software package.

Connected the website, click 'Sign away up' then sign into your Apple ID. You'll pauperism to accept the Apple Beta Software Curriculum Agreement (by clicking 'Accept'), and you'll immediately personify signed functioning.

2. Download the macOS 12 Monterey state-supported explorative

Once you've signed improving to the Orchard apple tree Of import Software Program you should get a notification in your Macintosh that a new public beta is available.

Open up System Preferences and then choose 'Software Update'. The macOS 12 Monterey public beta should cost on that point.

Dawn 'Update'. If IT doesn't witness the update, restart your Mac, open the Mackintosh App Lay in and get across 'Updates'.

Click on the public beta, and succeed the instructions to download and put in it.

These are our top 50 best Mac tips
Get an unscheduled layer of security with a Mac VPN

Senior Calculation editor

Matt (Twitter) is TechRadar's Senior Computing editor in chief. Having written for a count of publications such atomic number 3 Personal computer Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Initialise, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. If you'Re encountering a problem or need some advice with your PC or Mac, flatten him a line on Chitter.