How to update macOS on MacBook Air (M1)

Thanks for reaching out! The good news is that your 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip is compatible with macOS Tahoe 26, and having 8 GB of memory won't prevent you from upgrading.

The important thing to understand is that an update and an upgrade are two different things. An update keeps you within your current macOS version (for example, Sequoia 15.2 to a later Sequoia release). An upgrade moves you to a newer major version, in this case, macOS Tahoe 26. Since your software requires macOS 26.0 or later, you'll need to upgrade.

How to find macOS Tahoe 26

You won't usually find it by searching the App Store. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings → General → Software Update.
3. Give your Mac a moment to check for available software.
4. If macOS Tahoe 26 appears, click Upgrade Now and follow the instructions.

What if Tahoe doesn't appear?

Don't worry, there are a few things you can try:

• Restart your Mac and check Software Update again, making sure you're connected to the internet.
• If only a Sequoia update appears, remember that this won't upgrade you to Tahoe.
• If your Mac is managed by a workplace or school, check whether upgrades are restricted.

If Tahoe is still missing, Apple's official instructions are here:

How to upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26 — Apple Support

Another option: You can check whether Apple offers the full Tahoe installer for your Mac through Terminal.

1. Open Finder >> Applications >> Utilities >> Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Return: softwareupdate --list-full-installers
3. If a Tahoe version is listed, note its exact version number. Then enter the following command, replacing 26.x.xwith that number:
4. softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.x.x
5. When the download finishes, look in your Applications folder for the macOS installer and open it.

You can find Apple's instructions here: How to download and install macOS. If Tahoe isn't listed, don't force the installation; contact Apple Support for help.

Before upgrading

I'd recommend backing up your Mac with Time Machine, connecting it to power, and checking that you have enough free storage. It's also worth confirming that your essential apps and peripherals will work with Tahoe.

My recommendation: Start with Software Update, since that's the simplest route. If Tahoe doesn't appear, try the steps above before going further.

Back up your data, check the application compatibility table, click here, and use the Software Update section of System Settings.

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