• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechFortune 500

Here’s How to Find and Download macOS Sierra

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 21, 2016, 2:20 PM ET
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Kicks Off In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 13: Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, introduces the new macOS Sierra software at an Apple event at the Worldwide Developer's Conference on June 13, 2016 in San Francisco, California. Thousands of people have shown up to hear about Apple's latest updates. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)Andrew Burton — Getty Images

The time has finally come to download Apple’s latest desktop operating system.

The operating system, macOS Sierra, is available for free through Apple’s Mac App Store starting today. New Macs will come with macOS Sierra already installed.

Sierra is the first desktop operating system from Apple (AAPL) to come with its new “macOS” branding. Earlier versions of the software, including last year’s El Capitan, were named OS X. In addition to a new name, Sierra comes with several important features including compatibility with Apple’s virtual personal assistant Siri across the operating system, the ability to copy-and-paste content from a Mac to an iPhone (and back), and support for iCloud Drive so that users can store content in Apple’s cloud to save storage space on their computers.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

In announcing macOS Sierra at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple said that it would come with some of the biggest improvements in years. Since then, those who have used the software in public tests, public betas Apple offered have said that it also includes fixes of previous bugs and security enhancements.

Suffice it to say that macOS Sierra is a nice upgrade, and one that existing and new Mac owners should consider using. For current Mac owners, Fortune has compiled a quick guide about the new desktop operating system.

When: Apple’s macOS Sierra is available for download now. Apple released the software to users on Tuesday via its Mac App Store, the built-in application marketplace baked into its OS X operating systems.

For more about the Mac, watch:

What devices are supported? If you’re running a relatively new Mac, chances are macOS Sierra will work just fine on your computer. The operating system is compatible with MacBooks built in late-2009 or later, MacBook Pros released since mid-2010, and any MacBook Air that hit store shelves in late-2010 or later. On the desktop side, Sierra will run on a Mac Mini as old as the mid-2010 model, as well as any iMac or Mac Pro released since late-2009 and mid-2010, respectively.

However, there is a caveat to consider. Some Sierra features, including support for the Universal Clipboard that allows users to copy-and-paste content to and from a Mac from an iOS device are only available on certain newer models. For instance, that feature will only work on a MacBook released in early 2015 or sooner. It also requires the Mac Pro released in late-2013.

How: Before you start downloading macOS Sierra, it’s a good idea to back up the data on your Mac. While users haven’t noted any major troubles updating to the new operating system, it’s always a risk. Save important information to an external hard drive or even a USB drive, if you have one handy. If not, try signing up for one of many cloud-based storage services like Carbonite or Dropbox to save critical data. Apple’s iCloud is also an option.

After you’re sure that your data has been properly backed up, head over to the Mac App Store and click on macOS Sierra. You’ll be given the option to download the operating system for free.

As soon as the download is complete—it’s a big file, so it might take some time—Apple will offer the option to install it immediately or at some time in the future. Depending on the hardware’s age and its components, the installation could take quite some time.

Once installed, Sierra will display several prompts and questions you’ll need to answer before you’re ready to go. Be sure to check your files to ensure everything is still there after completing the process. If you notice a snafu, go back to that spot where you backed up your files and restore them to the new install.

Chances are, however, everything will work just fine.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

AIchief executive officer (CEO)
Microsoft AI boss Suleyman opens up about his peers and calls Elon Musk a ‘bulldozer’ with ‘superhuman capabilities to bend reality to his will’
By Jason MaDecember 13, 2025
9 hours ago
InvestingStock
There have been head fakes before, but this time may be different as the latest stock rotation out of AI is just getting started, analysts say
By Jason MaDecember 13, 2025
14 hours ago
Politicsdavid sacks
Can there be competency without conflict in Washington?
By Alyson ShontellDecember 13, 2025
14 hours ago
InnovationRobots
Even in Silicon Valley, skepticism looms over robots, while ‘China has certainly a lot more momentum on humanoids’
By Matt O'Brien and The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
16 hours ago
Sarandos
Arts & EntertainmentM&A
It’s a sequel, it’s a remake, it’s a reboot: Lawyers grow wistful for old corporate rumbles as Paramount, Netflix fight for Warner
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 13, 2025
21 hours ago
Oracle chairman of the board and chief technology officer Larry Ellison delivers a keynote address during the 2019 Oracle OpenWorld on September 16, 2019 in San Francisco, California.
AIOracle
Oracle’s collapsing stock shows the AI boom is running into two hard limits: physics and debt markets
By Eva RoytburgDecember 13, 2025
22 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake for $800 in 1976—today it’d be worth up to $400 billion
By Preston ForeDecember 12, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs are taxes and they were used to finance the federal government until the 1913 income tax. A top economist breaks it down
By Kent JonesDecember 12, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
40% of Stanford undergrads receive disability accommodations—but it’s become a college-wide phenomenon as Gen Z try to succeed in the current climate
By Preston ForeDecember 12, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The Fed just ‘Trump-proofed’ itself with a unanimous move to preempt a potential leadership shake-up
By Jason MaDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Apple CEO Tim Cook out-earns the average American’s salary in just 7 hours—to put that into context, he could buy a new $439,000 home in just 2 days
By Emma BurleighDecember 12, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
For the first time since Trump’s tariff rollout, import tax revenue has fallen, threatening his lofty plans to slash the $38 trillion national debt
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.