Can I upgrade directly from El Capitan to Monterey?

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system.

Apple recommends using the latest (newest) macOS that is compatible with your Mac. macOS updates and upgrades help to maintain your computer's security, stability and compatibility, and they include the latest features and built-in apps.

Before installing, it's a good idea to back up your Mac. While installing, avoid putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac will restart, and it may display a progress bar or blank screen several times. 

Use Software Update

Using Software Update is faster and easier than upgrading by other methods, and it may require less storage space to download and install the upgrade. Software Update will only display upgrades that are compatible with your Mac.

Update macOS on your Mac

Or use the App Store or your browser

When you use these methods instead of Software Update, your Mac may need more storage space to download macOS and complete the installation.
  

1. Click the link to open the App Store page for that macOS. 
2. In the App Store, click the Get button to start downloading the macOS installer.
3. After downloading to your Applications folder, the installer will open automatically. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.

1. Click the link to download a disk image (.dmg) file for that macOS.
2. Double-click the .dmg file to open it and see the .pkg file within.
3. Double-click the .pkg file, then follow the onscreen instructions. This will install the macOS installer into your Applications folder.
4. Open your Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name]. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.

If you need help

If you're having difficulty getting the links to work, try again using Safari. It's in your Applications folder.

If you need more storage space to download or install, find out how to free up storage space.

If the macOS that you want isn't compatible with your Mac or the currently installed macOS, the installer will let you know and the App Store may prevent you from downloading it. For example, it may dim the Get button, say that the macOS is not compatible with this device or say that the requested version of macOS is not available.

Find out what to do if you receive an error message saying that an error occurred while downloading, preparing or installing, or that the installer is damaged or could not be verified.

Other ways to update or upgrade macOS include using macOS Recovery or using a bootable installer.

Published Date: November 03, 2022

Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.

Click on the  top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.

If you find your mac can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15, 

macOs Big Sur 11.6 or the latest macOS Monterey 12.0 I would recommend you upgrade to 

macOS High Sierra 10.13 first.

For High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur,

Open Safari and click on this link, 

How to get older versions of macOS

Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Use Safari to download macOS section and click on the OS you want to install.

Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.

Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.

Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.

If you want to or are able to upgrade to Monterey open Safari and click on the link below,

How to upgrade to macOS Monterey – Apple Support (UK)

If you are considering upgrading to Catalina, Big Sur or Monterey be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this free app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

Can I upgrade from El Capitan to latest version?

Why can't I upgrade my macOS to Monterey?

What Macs can upgrade to Monterrey?

Is Mac El Capitan still supported?