Apple has released macOS Sierra, the latest major update to the Mac operating system. Versioned as Mac OS 10.12, the new Macintosh system software release includes a variety of new features, enhancements, and improvements to the Mac.
Some of the major new features of macOS Sierra include having Siri on the desktop, an ability to unlock and login to a Mac using an Apple Watch as authentication, enhanced iCloud integration with the file system, a cross Mac-to-iOS clipboard feature, Picture in Picture video mode, Apple Pay in Safari, greater compatibility with iOS 10 devices and features, as well as many other smaller improvements and feature enhancements.
Most modern Macs built after 2010 support the release, but you can check the list of Macs compatible with macOS Sierra here if you are uncertain about your machine.
Download macOS Sierra
All Mac users can download macOS Sierra now from the Mac App Store. Whether you’re on a final GM build or an earlier version of Mac OS X, the installer is available in the same location. The link below jumps directly to the App Store page to download Sierra:
The download is about 5 GB and the installer launches immediately. If you want to make a macOS Sierra USB install drive be sure to quit out of the application installer first, otherwise you’d have to re-download the Sierra installer from the Mac App Store.
Updating to MacOS Sierra
You’ll want to backup before updating to macOS Sierra, whether that is configuring and using Time Machine or using a different solution is your choice, but don’t skip a backup.
- Did you backup the Mac first? Don’t skip a backup
- Download the macOS Sierra installer from the App Store
- Go through the simple update process, choose the disk to update and install
Installing and updating to MacOS Sierra takes a little over an hour or so, but it could be longer or faster with some Macs depending on performance and prior Mac OS X version.
If you decide to wait until the weekend or a later date, you can take a few more steps to prepare for MacOS Sierra.
Did you update to MacOS Sierra yet? Are you waiting? Let us know in the comments.