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macOS 12 Monterey: Download and Installation Tips

  • onitaregier655t0v
  • Aug 9, 2023
  • 11 min read


How to Download macOS 12: A Complete Guide




macOS 12, also known as Monterey, is the latest version of Apple's operating system for Mac computers. It was released on October 25, 2021, and it brings new ways for users to connect, get more done, and work more fluidly across their Apple devices. Some of the highlights of macOS 12 include FaceTime upgrades, SharePlay for watching and listening together, a redesigned Safari browser, Shortcuts for automating tasks, Live Text for extracting text from images, and more.




download macos 12




If you are curious about what macOS 12 has to offer and want to try it out for yourself, you might be wondering how to download and install it on your Mac. In this article, we will show you how to do that in a few simple steps. We will also cover some of the benefits and problems of macOS 12, and how to fix them if you encounter any issues.


But before we get into that, let's first check if your Mac is compatible with macOS 12 and meets the system requirements.


What are the system requirements and compatibility for macOS 12?




According to Apple, "macOS Monterey will support the broadest lineup of Macs in history, including the latest iMac, MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, as well as Apples Intel-based Macs". Here are the devices that can run macOS 12 Monterey:


  • iMac late 2015 and later



  • Mac Pro late 2013 and later



  • iMac Pro 2017 and later



  • Mac mini late 2014 and later



  • MacBook Air early 2015 and later



  • MacBook early 2016 and later



  • MacBook Pro early 2015 and later



If your Mac is not on this list, then it cannot upgrade to macOS 12 Monterey and will only be able to upgrade to the latest compatible version respective to its model.


How to download macOS 12




There are two main ways to download macOS 12 on your Mac: using Software Update or using the App Store or your browser. We will explain both methods below.


How to check for software updates and download macOS 12 from System Preferences




This is the fastest and easiest way to download macOS 12 on your Mac. It also requires less storage space than downloading from the App Store or your browser. Here are the steps:


  • Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection.



  • Open System Preferences from the Apple menu or the Dock.



  • Select Software Update. Your Mac will check for any available updates.



  • If you see "macOS Monterey" as an option, click Update Now. If you don't see it, restart your Mac and try again.



  • Enter your administrator password if prompted Wait for the download to complete. It may take some time depending on your internet speed and the size of the update.



Congratulations, you have successfully downloaded macOS 12 on your Mac. Now, you can proceed to install it.


How to download macOS 12 Monterey for your Mac


macOS 12 Monterey download and install guide


Download macOS 12 Monterey from the App Store


macOS 12 Monterey system requirements and compatibility


How to create a bootable installer for macOS 12 Monterey


How to upgrade to macOS 12 Monterey from an older version


How to download macOS 12 Monterey beta version


How to fix macOS 12 Monterey download and installation errors


How to download macOS 12 Ventura when it is released


macOS 12 Ventura features and release date


How to download macOS 12 Monterey on a Windows PC


How to download macOS 12 Monterey on a Mac without App Store


How to download macOS 12 Monterey ISO file


How to download macOS 12 Monterey DMG file


How to download macOS 12 Monterey VMDK file


How to install macOS 12 Monterey on VMware or VirtualBox


How to install macOS 12 Monterey on a Hackintosh


How to install macOS 12 Monterey on an external drive


How to install macOS 12 Monterey on a dual boot system


How to install macOS 12 Monterey on a Mac with M1 chip


How to backup your Mac before downloading macOS 12 Monterey


How to free up storage space for downloading macOS 12 Monterey


How to speed up macOS 12 Monterey download and installation


How to resume macOS 12 Monterey download if it is interrupted


How to verify macOS 12 Monterey download and installer integrity


How to downgrade from macOS 12 Monterey to an older version


How to uninstall macOS 12 Monterey from your Mac


How to update macOS 12 Monterey to the latest version


How to troubleshoot common issues with macOS 12 Monterey


How to optimize your Mac performance after installing macOS 12 Monterey


What's new in macOS 12 Monterey and how to use it


How to enable and disable new features in macOS 12 Monterey


How to customize your Mac settings in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Universal Control and AirPlay in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use FaceTime and SharePlay in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Safari and Shortcuts in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Focus and Quick Note in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Live Text and Visual Lookup in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use iCloud+ and Private Relay in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Mail Privacy Protection and Hide My Email in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Siri and Voice Control in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Maps and Weather in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Photos and Memories in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Notes and Reminders in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Messages and Memoji in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use Music and Podcasts in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use TV and Fitness+ in macOS 12 Monterey


How to use News and Stocks in macOS 12 Monterey


How to download macOS 12 from the App Store or your browser




This is another way to download macOS 12 on your Mac. It may be useful if you want to create a bootable installer or install macOS 12 on multiple Macs. However, it requires more storage space than downloading from Software Update. Here are the steps:


  • Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection.



  • Open the App Store from the Dock or the Finder.



  • Search for "macOS Monterey" in the search bar. Alternatively, you can use this link to access the download page directly from your browser.



  • Click Get or Download. The download will start automatically and you will see a progress bar in the Launchpad.



  • Wait for the download to complete. It may take some time depending on your internet speed and the size of the update.



Congratulations, you have successfully downloaded macOS 12 on your Mac. Now, you can proceed to install it.


How to install macOS 12




Before you install macOS 12 on your Mac, it is highly recommended that you back up your data using Time Machine or another backup method. This way, you can restore your files and settings in case something goes wrong during the installation process. Here are the steps to back up your Mac using Time Machine:


  • Connect an external hard drive or a network drive to your Mac.



  • Open System Preferences from the Apple menu or the Dock.



  • Select Time Machine.



  • Click Select Backup Disk and choose your backup destination.



  • Turn on Time Machine and wait for the backup to complete.



Once you have backed up your Mac, you can proceed to install macOS 12. Here are the steps:


  • Locate the macOS Monterey installer file in your Applications folder or Launchpad. It should be named "Install macOS Monterey".



  • Double-click the installer file to launch it.



  • Click Continue and agree to the terms and conditions.



  • Select your Mac's hard drive as the destination for the installation.



  • Click Install and enter your administrator password if prompted.



  • Wait for the installation to complete. Your Mac will restart several times during the process.



Congratulations, you have successfully installed macOS 12 on your Mac. Now, you can enjoy its features and benefits.


How to enjoy macOS 12 features




macOS 12 Monterey is packed with new and improved features that make your Mac more powerful, productive, and fun. Here are some of the features that you can explore and use:


FaceTime upgrades




FaceTime is Apple's video calling app that lets you connect with your friends and family across your Apple devices. With macOS 12, FaceTime has been upgraded with new features such as:


  • Spatial audio: This feature creates a realistic sound field that makes it feel like you are in the same room as the person you are talking to.



  • Voice isolation: This feature blocks out background noise and enhances your voice so that you can be heard clearly.



  • Wide spectrum: This feature captures all the sounds around you so that you can share your environment with others.



  • Portrait mode: This feature blurs out your background and focuses on your face so that you can look more professional or personal.



  • Grid view: This feature arranges all the participants in a FaceTime call in equal-sized tiles so that you can see everyone at once.



  • FaceTime links: This feature lets you create and share links to invite anyone to join a FaceTime call, even if they don't have an Apple device. You can also schedule FaceTime calls using Calendar or Messages.



SharePlay for watching and listening together




SharePlay is a new feature that lets you watch TV shows, movies, music, podcasts, and more with your friends and family over FaceTime. You can sync up your playback, control what's playing, and chat with others while enjoying your favorite content. You can also share your screen with others to show them what you are doing on your Mac. SharePlay works with apps like Apple TV, Apple Music, Podcasts, Safari, and more. You can also use SharePlay with third-party apps that support it, such as Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, TikTok, and more.


Safari redesign




Safari is Apple's web browser that lets you browse the internet with speed, privacy, and efficiency. With macOS 12, Safari has been redesigned with a new look and feel that makes it easier and more enjoyable to use. Some of the changes include:


  • Tab bar: The tab bar has been simplified and streamlined to take up less space and show more of the web page. It also adapts to the color of the web page and shows the active tab more prominently.



  • Tab groups: Tab groups let you organize your tabs into collections that you can access from any device. You can create tab groups for different topics, projects, or interests, and switch between them easily.



  • Extensions: Extensions let you customize and enhance your browsing experience with Safari. You can find and install extensions from the App Store or from the Safari menu. You can also manage your extensions and control their permissions from the Safari preferences.



Shortcuts for automating tasks




Shortcuts is a feature that lets you create and run custom workflows that automate tasks on your Mac. You can use shortcuts to do things like open apps, send messages, play music, control smart home devices, and more. You can create shortcuts using the Shortcuts app, which has a library of pre-made shortcuts and a gallery of suggestions. You can also edit and customize your shortcuts using drag-and-drop actions. You can run your shortcuts from the menu bar, the Dock, Spotlight, Siri, or widgets.


Live Text for extracting text from images




Live Text is a feature that lets you select, copy, paste, and interact with text in photos and screenshots on your Mac. You can use Live Text to do things like scan a document, look up a phone number, translate a sign, or search for a product. Live Text works with any image on your Mac, whether it's in Photos, Messages, Mail, Safari, or Finder. You can also use Live Text with your camera to capture text in real time.


How to troubleshoot macOS 12 problems




While macOS 12 is designed to work smoothly and reliably on your Mac, you may encounter some problems or errors along the way. This is normal for any software update, especially a major one like macOS 12. Here are some of the common problems that users have reported with macOS 12 and how to fix them:


macOS 12 won't download, install, or boot




If you have trouble downloading, installing, or booting macOS 12 on your Mac, here are some possible solutions:


  • Check your internet connection and make sure it is stable and fast enough.



  • Check your storage space and make sure you have enough free space for the update.



  • Check your compatibility and make sure your Mac model is supported by macOS 12.



  • Restart your Mac and try again.



  • Delete the installer file and download it again from Software Update or the App Store.



  • Boot into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key while restarting your Mac. This will disable any third-party apps or extensions that may interfere with the update.



  • Boot into Recovery Mode by holding down Command + R while restarting your Mac. This will allow you to repair your disk using Disk Utility or reinstall macOS using Internet Recovery.



Bluetooth is not working




If you have trouble connecting or using your Bluetooth devices with macOS 12 on your Mac, here are some possible solutions:


  • Check your Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable.



  • Check your battery level and make sure your Bluetooth devices are charged.



  • Check your proximity and make sure your Bluetooth devices are within range of your Mac.



  • Unpair and pair your Bluetooth devices again from the Bluetooth menu or System Preferences.



  • Reset your Bluetooth module by holding down Shift + Option and clicking on the Bluetooth menu. Then select Debug > Reset the Bluetooth module.



  • Reset your SMC (System Management Controller) by following these instructions from Apple's support website.



Battery is draining fast




If you notice that your battery life is shorter than usual after updating to macOS 12 on your Mac, here are some possible solutions:


  • Check your battery health and make sure it is not degraded or damaged.



  • Check your power settings and make sure they are optimized for battery life.



  • Check your activity monitor and quit any apps or processes that are consuming a lot of energy.



  • Check your brightness and volume settings and lower them if possible.



  • Check your external devices and disconnect any that are not in use.



  • Update your apps and software to the latest versions.



  • Calibrate your battery by draining it completely and then charging it to 100%.



Conclusion




In this article, we have shown you how to download and install macOS 12 Monterey on your Mac. We have also covered some of the benefits and problems of macOS 12, and how to fix them if you encounter any issues. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative.


macOS 12 Monterey is a great update that brings new features and improvements to your Mac. It makes your Mac more powerful, productive, and fun to use. It also enhances your connectivity and continuity across your Apple devices. If you have a compatible Mac, we recommend that you give macOS 12 a try and see for yourself what it can do for you.


If you have any questions or feedback about macOS 12, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and happy downloading!


FAQs




How do I check which version of macOS I have?




To check which version of macOS you have on your Mac, click on the Apple menu and select About This Mac. You will see the name and version number of your macOS in the Overview tab.


How do I uninstall macOS 12 and go back to an older version?




To uninstall macOS 12 and go back to an older version of macOS, you will need to erase your Mac's hard drive and reinstall the previous version using Internet Recovery or a bootable installer. You will also need to restore your data from a backup that was made before you updated to macOS 12. This process is complex and risky, so we advise you to proceed with caution and follow these instructions from Apple's support website.


How do I update my apps to work with macOS 12?




To update your apps to work with macOS 12, open the App Store from the Dock or the Finder. Click on Updates in the sidebar. You will see a list of apps that have updates available. Click Update All or Update next to each app. Alternatively, you can enable automatic updates for your apps by going to System Preferences > App Store and checking the box for Automatically update my apps.


How do I free up storage space on my Mac?




To free up storage space on your Mac, you can use the Storage Management tool in System Preferences. Click on the Apple menu and select About This Mac. Click on Storage and then Manage. You will see a list of categories that are taking up space on your Mac, such as Applications, Documents, Photos, iCloud Drive, etc. You can click on each category to see more details and options for deleting or optimizing files. You can also use the Recommendations tab to get suggestions for freeing up space, such as emptying the Trash, reducing clutter, or storing files in iCloud.


How do I contact Apple support if I need help with macOS 12?




To contact Apple support if you need help with macOS 12, you can visit their support website or call their phone number. You can also chat with them online or schedule a call back. You can find the contact details for your region here. 44f88ac181


 
 
 

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