Macbook Pro 2011 Update

Do NOT upgrade until you have made a Time Machine or other backup of your startup drive.

To be clear, software update generally means to install software to update the macOS currently running on the Mac; update Catalina 10.15.1 to Catalina 10.15.7, for example. 

A software upgrade is usually a generational step up to a newer macOS; upgrade from 10.13 High Sierra to 10.14 Mojave, for example, or from 10.15 Catalina to macOS 11 Big Sur.

How to Upgrade  macOS:

The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the year your Mac was released.

Click the  (Apple) menu at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. 

❗️ – IMPORTANT – Backup your data, now, before you attempt an upgrade.

Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

🖥 – Check compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475

✅ - Using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer app:

Click > High Sierra.

Once downloaded, double-click the installer app in the Applications folder to begin the upgrade.

macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

• OS X 10.8 or later
• 2GB of memory
• 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer) Your computer has reached as high as it can go - High Sierra
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)