Should I upgrade macOS on an older MacBook?
My son keeps telling me I should update my MacBook Air to the newest macOS. It is the thin silver one with the Retina screen, a 2018 model according to the "About This Mac" window. It currently says macOS Sonoma, and when I open System Settings and look at Software Update it says everything is up to date. There is no big banner offering anything newer.
Cite
Geek With Laptop Forum, "Should I upgrade macOS on an older MacBook?", https://geekwithlaptop.com/forum/thread/should-i-upgrade-macos-on-an-older-macbook/, accessed 2026-11-10.I am not very technical, so I would like to understand two things. First, is something wrong with my laptop because it is not offering the new version, or is that normal for a computer this age? Second, when a laptop does offer a bigger update, is it wise to take it, or can an update make an older machine slower and harder to use? I mostly use email, photos and video calls with my grandchildren, and I would hate to break something that works.
Thank you in advance, everyone has been very patient with my questions here.
1 more reply
Most helpful first- Sophie LinMember ·
Beth, nothing is wrong. Apple publishes a list of which Macs each macOS version can be installed on, and older machines simply fall off the end of it. The laptop is not being awkward, it just is not on the list for the newest version.
On the "should I" question, on a machine that is on the list I would always back up first and then update, but I would not rush the very first day a big new version appears.
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