How to install OS X Yosemite on your Mac

You can download OS X Yosemite from the Mac App Store to install it on Macs that meet system requirements.

Before you begin

Before you install Yosemite, make sure you have one of these Macs:

• iMac (Mid-2007 or newer)
• MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
• Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

Your Mac also needs:

• OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8, already installed
• 2 GB or more of memory
• 8 GB or more of available disk space

Some features of OS X Yosemite require an Apple ID or iCloud account and a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply. Continuity features such as Handoff and Instant Hotspot require a compatible iOS device with iOS 8 and a compatible Mac.
You can also back up your Mac using Time Machine before you install.

Get Yosemite from the Mac App Store

Yosemite is available from the Mac App Store. Choose App Store from the Apple Menu to open the Mac App Store, then click the Download button for OS X Yosemite in the App Store window to begin installation.
Once the installer has finished downloading, it automatically opens. Follow the onscreen prompts to finish installation.

If you want to install at a later time, close the Installer window. When you're ready, you can find the Yosemite installer app in your Applications folder or Launchpad. Open the app to begin installing.
Your Mac might restart multiple times during installation to install related firmware updates. Once installation has finished, your Mac starts up from OS X Yosemite.

Additional requirements by feature

Some features of OS X Yosemite require specific hardware.

Handoff and Instant Hotspot
Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
• iMac (2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Handoff requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 8.
Instant Hotspot requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity with a Lightning connector and iOS 8.1. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.
Phone Calling
Phone Calling requires an iPhone with iOS 8. Requires an activated carrier plan.
SMS
SMS requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1. Requires an activated carrier plan.
AirDrop
AirDrop between Mac computers and iOS devices is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
• iMac (2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013)

AirDrop to iOS devices requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.
AirDrop between two Mac computers is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro (Late 2008 or newer)*
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
• MacBook (Late 2008 or newer)*
• iMac (Early 2009 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card, or Mid 2010 or newer)

Time Machine
Requires an additional hard drive or AirPort Time Capsule (sold separately).
Photo Booth
Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder. Backdrop effects when using a DV camcorder require fixed focus, exposure, and white balance.
FaceTime
Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and a 128-Kbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Making HD video calls requires a built-in FaceTime HD camera and a 1-Mbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Receiving HD video calls requires a supported Intel-based Mac.

Boot Camp
Supports existing Boot Camp installations with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. New Boot Camp installations require Windows 7 or Windows 8 (sold separately).
Spotlight Suggestions
Requires a broadband Internet connection.
Exchange Support
Requires Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Update Rollup 4, Exchange Server 2010, or Exchange 2013. Auto-setup requires enabling the Autodiscovery feature of Microsoft Exchange Server.
AirPlay Mirroring
Requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later). Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
• iMac (Mid 2011 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Peer-to-Peer AirPlay
Requires a Mac (2012 or later) with OS X Yosemite and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.
Power Nap
Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro with Retina display (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Gestures
Requires a Multi‑Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.
VoiceOver Gestures
Requires a Multi‑Touch trackpad or Magic Trackpad.
Dictation
Requires a microphone (built in or external).
Mac App Store
Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries. Requires compatible hardware and software and Internet access; broadband recommended (fees may apply). Terms apply.

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Last Modified: Dec 1, 2014