macOS Upgrades

Support and Recommendations

Swarthmore ITS is committed to supporting the most recent versions of macOS when they are released, and recommends running one of the two most recent versions of macOS for security and compatibility. To keep up with security and compatibility trends, eligible College-owned computers are scheduled to be automatically updated to the most recent OS every summer.    If you would like to manually update your macOS during the school year, please follow the following instructions.

macOS 14 Sonoma (latest version)

Apple released a new operating system this past September.   At this time, ITS has not identified any major incompatibilities with supported networking and academic software in macOS 14. We still recommend waiting at least a month before updating to any new OS unless you wish to make use of specific software or features that require the new version.

Manually updating to macOS 13 Ventura (currently recommended)

You can update macOS on your College-owned computer using the Self Service app in your Applications folder. If you do not see the Self Service app on your College-owned computer, contact the Help Desk and request that your system be enrolled in our Apple software management system.

1. Save any unsaved documents and close any open programs.   If you are updating a MacBook, plug the laptop into AC power. 

2. Search for Self Service on your laptop and launch the program.
   
   

   Open

   

3. In Self Service, navigate to the "OS" section and click on macOS Ventura Upgrade.

4. You will be walked through the download and install process. Note that the entire process will take about thirty minutes and will reboot the computer.