Download and Install Mac OS X Sierra: A Complete Guide
Download Mac OS X Sierra Installer
Mac OS X Sierra is the thirteenth major release of Apple's desktop operating system for Mac computers. It was released in September 2016 and introduced many new features and improvements, such as Siri, iCloud Drive, Universal Clipboard, Apple Pay, and more. If you are still using an older version of Mac OS X, you might want to upgrade to Mac OS X Sierra to enjoy the latest functionality and security updates. In this article, we will show you how to download Mac OS X Sierra installer and how to install it on your Mac.
Download Mac Os X Sierra Installer
What is Mac OS X Sierra and why you should upgrade
Mac OS X Sierra is the successor of Mac OS X El Capitan, which was released in September 2015. Mac OS X Sierra is based on the same Unix-based core as its predecessors, but it also brings some significant changes and enhancements to the user interface and the built-in apps. Here are some of the main features of Mac OS X Sierra:
The main features of Mac OS X Sierra
Siri: Siri, Apple's voice assistant, finally makes its way to the Mac with Mac OS X Sierra. You can use Siri to search for information, find files, play music, check the weather, set reminders, and more. You can also use Siri to control your smart home devices, if they are compatible with Apple's HomeKit platform. Siri can be accessed from the Dock, the menu bar, or a keyboard shortcut.
iCloud Drive: iCloud Drive, Apple's cloud storage service, becomes more integrated with the desktop in Mac OS X Sierra. You can now access your Desktop and Documents folders from any of your devices using iCloud Drive. This means you can easily sync your files across your Macs, iPhones, iPads, and even Windows PCs. You can also optimize your storage space by letting iCloud Drive automatically store your older files in the cloud and keep only the recent ones on your local drive.
Universal Clipboard: Universal Clipboard is a feature that lets you copy and paste text, images, photos, and videos between your Mac and your iOS devices. For example, you can copy a link from Safari on your iPhone and paste it into an email on your Mac, or vice versa. Universal Clipboard works automatically when your devices are near each other and signed in with the same Apple ID.
Apple Pay: Apple Pay, Apple's mobile payment service, is now available on the web with Mac OS X Sierra. You can use Apple Pay to securely pay for online purchases using Safari on your Mac. You just need to click the Apple Pay button on a supported website and confirm the payment with your iPhone or Apple Watch. Apple Pay does not store or share your credit card information with the merchants or Apple.
Picture in Picture: Picture in Picture is a feature that lets you watch a video in a small window while doing other tasks on your Mac. You can use Picture in Picture with videos from Safari or iTunes. You just need to click the Picture in Picture button on the video player and then drag the window to any corner of your screen. You can also resize and reposition the window as you like.
Photos: Photos, Apple's photo management app, gets smarter and more powerful in Mac OS X Sierra. Photos can now automatically organize your photos into Memories based on people, places, events, and dates. You can also edit your photos with new tools and filters, create slideshows and albums, and share your photos with your friends and family.
Messages: Messages, Apple's messaging app, gets more fun and expressive in Mac OS X Sierra. You can now use rich links, Tapback, and emoji in your conversations. Rich links let you preview web pages, videos, and photos without leaving the app. Tapback lets you quickly respond to a message with a symbol, such as a heart, a thumbs up, or a question mark. Emoji are now bigger and easier to access from the keyboard.
Other improvements: Mac OS X Sierra also includes many other improvements and bug fixes, such as improved security, performance, and stability; enhanced Spotlight search; better support for multiple displays; new keyboard shortcuts; and more.
The compatibility and requirements of Mac OS X Sierra
Mac OS X Sierra is compatible with most Mac models from late 2009 or later. Here is the list of Mac models that can run Mac OS X Sierra:
MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
To install Mac OS X Sierra, you need to have at least 2 GB of memory and 8.8 GB of available storage space. You also need to have a good internet connection to download the installer and install the updates.
The benefits and drawbacks of Mac OS X Sierra
Like any software update, Mac OS X Sierra has its pros and cons. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of upgrading to Mac OS X Sierra:
The benefits of Mac OS X Sierra
You can enjoy the new features and improvements that Mac OS X Sierra offers, such as Siri, iCloud Drive, Universal Clipboard, Apple Pay, Picture in Picture, Photos, Messages, and more.
You can keep your Mac up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes that Apple releases regularly.
You can take advantage of the new technologies and standards that Mac OS X Sierra supports, such as Metal 2, HEVC, APFS, eGPU, VR, AR, and more.
You can use your Mac more seamlessly with your other Apple devices, such as your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod, and more.
The drawbacks of Mac OS X Sierra
You might encounter some compatibility issues with some of your apps or peripherals that are not updated for Mac OS X Sierra. You might need to update them or find alternatives that work with Mac OS X Sierra.
You might experience some performance issues or bugs with Mac OS X Sierra on your older Mac models. You might need to tweak some settings or optimize your system to make it run smoother.
You might lose some features or functionality that you liked or used in your previous version of Mac OS X. You might need to adjust to the changes or find workarounds to restore them.
You might not like some of the design choices or user interface changes that Apple made in Mac OS X Sierra. You might need to customize your preferences or use third-party tools to modify them.
How to download Mac OS X Sierra installer
If you have decided to upgrade to Mac OS X Sierra, you need to download the installer first. There are several ways to download Mac OS X Sierra installer on your Mac. Here are some of the most common methods:
Use Software Update to download Mac OS X Sierra installer
The easiest way to download Mac OS X Sierra installer is to use Software Update on your Mac. Software Update is a built-in feature that checks for available updates for your system and apps. To use Software Update to download Mac OS X Sierra installer, follow these steps:
Click the Apple menu on the top left corner of your screen and select About This Mac.
Click the Software Update button on the Overview tab. This will launch the Software Update app.
If you see an update for macOS Sierra in the list of available updates, click the Update button next to it. If you don't see it, click the More Info button and look for it in the App Store.
Wait for the download to complete. The installer will be saved in your Applications folder as Install macOS Sierra app.
Note: You can also access Software Update from the System Preferences app or by clicking the Apple menu and selecting Software Update.
Use the App Store or your browser to download Mac OS X Sierra installer
Another way to download Mac OS X Sierra installer is to use the App Store or your browser. The App Store is a built-in app that lets you download and install apps from Apple and third-party developers. You can also use your browser to visit Apple's website and download the installer from there. To use the App Store or your browser to download Mac OS X Sierra installer, follow these steps:
Open the App Store app on your Mac or launch your browser and go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202.
Search for macOS Sierra in the App Store or click the Download button on the website.
Click the Get button or the Download button to start the download. You might need to enter your Apple ID and password to confirm.
Wait for the download to complete. The installer will be saved in your Applications folder as Install macOS Sierra app.
Use Terminal to create a bootable installer for Mac OS X Sierra
A third way to download Mac OS X Sierra installer is to use Terminal to create a bootable installer. Terminal is a built-in app that lets you access and control your Mac using command-line interface. A bootable installer is a removable device, such as a USB flash drive, that contains the installer and can be used to install Mac OS X Sierra on any compatible Mac. To use Terminal to create a bootable installer for Mac OS X Sierra, follow these steps:
Download the Install macOS Sierra app from the App Store or the website as described above.
Connect a USB flash drive or another removable device with at least 12 GB of storage space to your Mac. Make sure it does not contain any important data, as it will be erased during the process.
Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
Type or paste the following command in Terminal and press Enter. Replace MyVolume with the name of your USB flash drive or removable device.
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app
Enter your administrator password when prompted and press Enter. This will start the process of creating the bootable installer.
Wait for the process to complete. It might take several minutes. You will see a message saying "Done" when it is finished.
Eject your USB flash drive or removable device and keep it in a safe place. You can now use it to install Mac OS X Sierra on any compatible Mac.
How to install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac
Once you have downloaded Mac OS X Sierra installer, you can proceed to install it on your Mac. There are different ways to install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac, depending on how you downloaded the installer and whether you want to upgrade your existing system or perform a clean install. Here are some of the most common methods:
Backup your Mac before installing Mac OS X Sierra
Before you install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac, it is highly recommended that you backup your Mac first. A backup is a copy of your data and settings that you can use to restore your Mac in case something goes wrong during or after the installation. You can use Time Machine, Apple's built-in backup feature, or another backup software of your choice, to backup your Mac. To use Time Machine to backup your Mac, follow these steps:
Connect an external hard drive or another storage device with enough space to your Mac. Make sure it does not contain any important data, as it will be erased during the process.
Open the System Preferences app on your Mac and click Time Machine.
Click Select Backup Disk and choose your external hard drive or storage device from the list.
Click Use Disk and confirm that you want to erase and format the disk for Time Machine.
Wait for Time Machine to start backing up your data. It might take several hours depending on how much data you have.
When Time Machine finishes backing up your data, eject your external hard drive or storage device and keep it in a safe place. You can now use it to restore your Mac if needed.
Install Mac OS X Sierra from Software Update or the App Store
The simplest way to install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac is to use Software Update or the App Store. This method will upgrade your existing system to Mac OS X Sierra without erasing your data and settings. However, you should still backup your Mac before installing Mac OS X Sierra, just in case something goes wrong. To install Mac OS X Sierra from Software Update or the App Store, follow these steps:
Open the Install macOS Sierra app from your Applications folder.
Click Continue and agree to the terms and conditions.
Select your Mac's startup disk as the destination for the installation and click Install.
Enter your administrator password and click OK.
Wait for the installation to begin. Your Mac will restart several times during the process. It might take an hour or more depending on your Mac model and internet speed.
When the installation is complete, your Mac will boot into Mac OS X Sierra. You might need to follow some on-screen instructions to set up some features and preferences.
Install Mac OS X Sierra from a bootable installer
Another way to install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac is to use a bootable installer. This method will let you perform a clean install of Mac OS X Sierra, which means erasing your startup disk and installing a fresh copy of the operating system. This can be useful if you want to start from scratch, fix some issues, or sell or give away your Mac. However, you should backup your data and settings before installing Mac OS X Sierra, as they will be deleted during the process. To install Mac OS X Sierra from a bootable installer, follow these steps:
Connect your USB flash drive or removable device with the bootable installer to your Mac.
Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key while it boots up.
Select your USB flash drive or removable device from the list of startup disks and press Enter.
When you see the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
Select your Mac's startup disk from the sidebar and click Erase.
Choose a name, format, and scheme for your disk and click Erase. Wait for the process to complete.
Click Done and quit Disk Utility.
Select Install macOS and click Continue.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Mac OS X Sierra on your erased disk. Wait for the installation to complete. Your Mac will restart several times during the process. It might take an hour or more depending on your Mac model and internet speed.
When the installation is complete, your Mac will boot into Mac OS X Sierra. You will need to follow some on-screen instructions to set up some features and preferences.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have shown you how to download Mac OS X Sierra installer and how to install it on your Mac. We have also discussed some of the features, compatibility, benefits, and drawbacks of Mac OS X Sierra. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Mac OS X Sierra:
Conclusion
Mac OS X Sierra is a great operating system that offers many new features and improvements for your Mac. You can download Mac OS X Sierra installer from Software Update, the App Store, or Apple's website. You can also create a bootable installer using Terminal. You can install Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac by upgrading your existing system or performing a clean install. However, you should always backup your data and settings before installing Mac OS X Sierra, as there might be some risks involved. We hope you enjoy using Mac OS X Sierra on your Mac!
FAQs
Q: How can I check if my Mac is compatible with Mac OS X Sierra?
A: You can check if your Mac is compatible with Mac OS X Sierra by clicking the Apple menu on the top left corner of your screen and selecting About This Mac. Then, compare your Mac model and year with the list of compatible models that we have provided in this article.
Q: How can I update my apps for Mac OS X Sierra?
A: You can update your apps for Mac OS X Sierra by opening the App Store app on your Mac and clicking Updates on the toolbar. Then, click Update All or Update next to each app that you want to update. You can also check the websites of the app developers for any updates or patches that they might have released for Mac OS X Sierra.Q: How can I downgrade from Mac OS X Sierra to an older version of Mac OS X?
A: You can downgrade from Mac OS X Sierra to an older version of Mac OS X by using a bootable installer of the older version or using Time Machine to restore your Mac from a backup. However, you should backup your data and settings before downgrading, as they might not be compatible with the older version. You should also check the compatibility of your apps and peripherals with the older version.
Q: How can I troubleshoot some common problems with Mac OS X Sierra?
A: You can troubleshoot some common problems with Mac OS X Sierra by following some basic steps, such as restarting your Mac, resetting the PRAM and SMC, repairing disk permissions, updating your software, and running diagnostics. You can also check Apple's support website or forums for more specific solutions or contact Apple's customer service for assistance.
Q: How can I learn more about Mac OS X Sierra and its features?
A: You can learn more about Mac OS X Sierra and its features by visiting Apple's website or reading their user guides and manuals. You can also watch some tutorials and videos on YouTube or other platforms. You can also join some online communities or blogs that discuss Mac OS X Sierra and share tips and tricks.
dcd2dc6462