Updating macOS High Sierra 10.13.6: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re clinging to the venerable macOS High Sierra 10.13.6? There’s a good chance you have your reasons, be it legacy software compatibility or simply the desire to avoid the ever-churning upgrade cycle. Updating within High Sierra itself is thankfully straightforward, and this guide will walk you through it.

How to Update macOS High Sierra 10.13.6:

The process for updating macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 involves using the Mac App Store. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: This is critical. A dropped connection mid-update can corrupt files and leave your system in a precarious state. Use a reliable Wi-Fi network or a wired Ethernet connection if possible.
2. Back Up Your Data (Seriously!) Before any system update, create a full backup. Use Time Machine (Apple’s built-in backup tool) or a third-party backup solution like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!. Imagine the heartbreak of a failed update without a backup – trust me, it’s avoidable.
3. Open the Mac App Store: Find it in your Dock or use Spotlight Search (Command + Spacebar) to quickly locate it.
4. Navigate to the “Updates” Tab: In the App Store window, look for the “Updates” tab. It’s usually located at the top of the window.
5. Check for Available Updates: The App Store will scan your system and display available updates for macOS High Sierra, as well as any apps you’ve installed through the App Store.
6. Install the macOS Update: If a macOS update is listed (it might be a security update or a minor version increment within 10.13.6), click the “Update” button next to it.
7. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The update process will guide you through the installation. This may include downloading files, preparing the update, and restarting your Mac.
8. Be Patient: macOS updates can take a considerable amount of time, depending on the size of the update and the speed of your internet connection and Mac. Avoid interrupting the process. Let the progress bar complete its journey.
9. Automatic Restart: Your Mac will automatically restart several times during the update process. This is normal.
10. Login After Restart: After the final restart, log in to your account.
11. Verify the Update: Once you’re logged in, verify that the update was successful. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac. The version number should reflect the update you just installed (e.g., macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, with a specific build number).

Troubleshooting Update Issues

What to do if the Update Fails

If the update process stalls or fails, don’t panic. Here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Restart Your Mac in Safe Mode: Hold down the Shift key during startup. This will boot your Mac with minimal extensions and drivers, which can help isolate the problem. Try running the update from Safe Mode.
• Check Your Disk Space: Ensure you have enough free disk space for the update. A full hard drive can prevent the update from completing.
• Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Sometimes, resetting the NVRAM or PRAM can resolve update issues. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R keys until you hear the startup chime a second time.
• Download the Combo Update: Instead of using the App Store, download the combo update directly from Apple’s support website. This is a full installer of macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, which can sometimes overwrite corrupted system files. Search for “macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update” on Apple’s support pages.
• Reinstall macOS from Recovery: As a last resort, you can reinstall macOS from the recovery partition. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R keys until you see the macOS Utilities window. Choose “Reinstall macOS.” Warning: This will erase your hard drive, so ensure you have a backup before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about updating macOS High Sierra 10.13.6:

1. Why Should I Update macOS High Sierra 10.13.6?

Even though it’s an older operating system, updating to the latest available version of 10.13.6 is crucial for security. Apple releases security updates to patch vulnerabilities and protect your Mac from malware and other threats. These updates also often include bug fixes that can improve performance and stability.

2. Can I Upgrade Directly to a Newer macOS Version from High Sierra 10.13.6?

Yes, you can. You can directly upgrade to a newer macOS version that your Mac is compatible with. You would typically upgrade to macOS Mojave (10.14), macOS Catalina (10.15), macOS Big Sur (11), macOS Monterey (12), or macOS Ventura (13). However, before upgrading to a completely new macOS version, always check for compatibility issues with your applications and hardware.

3. How Do I Find Out Which macOS Versions My Mac Supports?

To determine the latest macOS version your Mac can handle, go to Apple Menu > About This Mac. Note the year of your Mac model (e.g., “MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)”). Then, search online for “macOS compatibility” along with your Mac model to find a list of supported operating systems. Apple’s website has official documentation on this.

4. What is a Combo Update, and When Should I Use It?

A Combo Update is a complete installer package for macOS. It contains all the files needed to update from any previous version of the same macOS release (in this case, any version of macOS High Sierra) to the latest. Use it if the standard update method through the App Store fails or if you want to ensure a clean and complete update.

5. How Much Free Disk Space Do I Need to Update macOS High Sierra?

Ideally, you should have at least 20GB to 30GB of free disk space to comfortably update macOS High Sierra. Insufficient space can cause the update to fail or lead to other system issues.

6. What Should I Do if My Mac is Running Slowly After Updating?

If your Mac feels sluggish after the update, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Restart Your Mac: A simple restart can often resolve minor performance issues.
• Run Disk Utility: Use Disk Utility to repair any disk errors.
• Close Unnecessary Apps: Quit any apps you’re not actively using.
• Check Activity Monitor: Open Activity Monitor (found in /Applications/Utilities/) to identify resource-intensive processes and close them.
• Free Up Disk Space: Delete unnecessary files and applications.
• Reindex Spotlight: Rebuilding the Spotlight index can sometimes improve search performance.
• Consider a Clean Install: As a last resort, consider performing a clean install of macOS (after backing up your data, of course).

7. Can I Downgrade Back to a Previous Version of macOS After Updating?

Downgrading is possible but complex. It typically involves erasing your hard drive and reinstalling the previous macOS version from a backup or bootable installer. It’s highly recommended to have a Time Machine backup from before the update if you anticipate the need to downgrade. The process isn’t straightforward and can lead to data loss if not done correctly.

8. How Long Does it Take to Update macOS High Sierra 10.13.6?

The update duration varies depending on your internet speed, the size of the update, and the performance of your Mac. It can range from 30 minutes to several hours. Avoid interrupting the process.

9. My Mac Won’t Turn On After the Update. What Should I Do?

If your Mac is unresponsive after the update, try these steps:

• Force Restart: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart.
• Safe Mode: Try booting into Safe Mode (hold down the Shift key during startup).
• macOS Recovery: Start your Mac in Recovery Mode (hold down Command + R during startup) and try reinstalling macOS.
• Contact Apple Support: If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized Apple service provider.

10. Are My Apps Still Compatible with the Latest macOS High Sierra Update?

Most applications that worked with previous versions of High Sierra should be compatible with the latest update. However, it’s always a good idea to check the developer’s website for any known compatibility issues, especially for older or specialized software.

11. What is Time Machine, and How Do I Use It?

Time Machine is Apple’s built-in backup utility. It automatically creates incremental backups of your Mac’s data. To use Time Machine, you need an external hard drive. Go to System Preferences > Time Machine, select your backup disk, and turn Time Machine “On.” It will then automatically back up your data regularly.

12. Is it safe to update macOS High Sierra without an external display connected to my Mac mini?

Yes, it is perfectly safe. An external display is only required to view the update process. If your Mac mini is set up for headless operation (using screen sharing or SSH), you can initiate and monitor the update remotely, provided you have a stable network connection.