[Full Guide] How to Download and Install macOS Monterey

macOS Monterey was released on October 25, 2021, as one of Apple's major macOS releases. Although newer versions of macOS are now available, many Mac users still need macOS Monterey for app testing, compatibility reasons, or simply because they prefer it.

If you're one of them, follow this guide to learn how to download and install macOS Monterey on your Mac.

Also Read: macOS Monterey Slow? 8 Proven Ways to Fix It

What Are the Requirements to Install macOS Monterey?

Before you begin, let's take a look at the Mac models and system requirements that support macOS Monterey.

Supported Devices

macOS Monterey is compatible with the following Mac models:

• MacBook (Early 2016 and later)
• MacBook Air (Early 2015 and later)
• MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and later)
• Mac mini (Late 2014 and later)
• iMac (Late 2015 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 and later)

System Requirements

• Existing macOS: OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later
• Storage Space: At least 26 GB of available storage for upgrading from OS X Mountain Lion or later
• RAM: At least 4 GB

Tip

Before downloading and installing macOS Monterey, it's a good idea to free up storage space and close unnecessary apps.] BuhoCleaner can help you quickly remove junk files and free up storage. You can also use it to monitor and manage your Mac's memory usage.]{notetype=Tip}

DownloadFor macOS 10.10 and above

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How to Download macOS Monterey

If you still want to install macOS Monterey, you can download the full installer from the Mac App Store.

1. Click this link to open the macOS Monterey page in the App Store.

2. Click the Get button.

   

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the macOS Monterey installer.

   

Once the download is complete, the installer will normally be saved in your Applications folder as Install macOS Monterey.app.

How to Install macOS Monterey

After downloading macOS Monterey, the installer may open automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS Monterey.

However, if you're currently running a newer version of macOS, you may see an error such as:

Install macOS Monterey cannot be opened from a newer version of macOS.

This happens because macOS generally does not allow you to run an older macOS installer directly to downgrade the system you're currently using.

If you want to downgrade from a newer version of macOS to Monterey, you can downgrade your Mac to an earlier version of macOS or create a bootable macOS Monterey installer and use it to install Monterey. You can also install macOS Monterey on a separate external drive without replacing your current macOS. For detailed instructions, see How to Install macOS on an External Drive.

To find the downloaded macOS Monterey installer, open Finder > Applications and look for Install macOS Monterey.

The Bottom Line

Now you know how to download and install macOS Monterey on your Mac. Before installing it, make sure your Mac is compatible and that you have a recent backup of your important data.

If you're experiencing performance issues or running low on storage, BuhoCleaner can help you clean up unnecessary files, free up storage, and keep your Mac running smoothly.