I have an MacBook Pro 13", 2017, memory 8 GB
Im trying to update my OS and it looks like Ventura requires more memory than I have at 12.21 GB. Is this right? If so, can I update to an earlier OS version? I currently have Mojave. Thank you!
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: MacBook
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14
macOS Mojave is macOS 10.14. Then there’s macOS 10.15, macOS 11, macOS 12, and macOS Ventura is macOS 13.
You need to free up more SSD storage space for the macOS 13 upgrade. That is what the error is referring to. Your main storage is too full. Move some files elsewhere, or delete some files you no longer need.
Have backups before you start the cleanup and the upgrade.
Your RAM memory will be tight, but it’ll probably work (depending on whether this Mac is overloaded, and by how much), particularly given the SSDs used in MacBook Pro circa 2017 are decently fast.
For the downgrade referenced in the title, and which is likely not what you intend…
macOS 10.12 to macOS 13 for the three 2017 models, probably.
You will need to erase and re-install to move to an older version.
Your documents and music files and such will probably transfer fine (manually), but any version-specific files, and photo and music libraries and such, won’t downgrade. There’s no automated migration of settings and the rest of user data from newer to older versions. It is a manual process.
macOS Mojave is macOS 10.14. Then there’s macOS 10.15, macOS 11, macOS 12, and macOS Ventura is macOS 13.
You need to free up more SSD storage space for the macOS 13 upgrade. That is what the error is referring to. Your main storage is too full. Move some files elsewhere, or delete some files you no longer need.
Have backups before you start the cleanup and the upgrade.
Your RAM memory will be tight, but it’ll probably work (depending on whether this Mac is overloaded, and by how much), particularly given the SSDs used in MacBook Pro circa 2017 are decently fast.
For the downgrade referenced in the title, and which is likely not what you intend…
macOS 10.12 to macOS 13 for the three 2017 models, probably.
You will need to erase and re-install to move to an older version.
Your documents and music files and such will probably transfer fine (manually), but any version-specific files, and photo and music libraries and such, won’t downgrade. There’s no automated migration of settings and the rest of user data from newer to older versions. It is a manual process.
If you want to go back to an earlier version of macOS, you need to make a bootable installer for it and wipe your Mac. Consider also getting a time machine backup just in case.
If you want to revert without a bootable installer, you would need to wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS completely.
I would think that the Mac needs to be in DFU Mode to do it. Do you have a second Mac running macOS 11 or earlier?
Thank you!
Thank you so much. This was definitely a little more of a complex problem than I was hoping.
You're welcome.
Your MBP w 8GB of RAM (memory) is compatible with Ventura, though 16 GB is recommended.
I believe you are confusing the storage requirement of 12.21 GB of free space needed on your startup drive for the upgrade.
Between your current macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS 13 Ventura lies macOS 10.15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey. Your MBP is compatible with any of those.
➡️ macOS 10.15 Catalina is compatible with the Macs listed here (c.2012)
➡️ macOS 11 Big Sur is compatible with the Macs listed here (c.2013)
➡️ macOS 12 Monterey is compatible with the Macs listed here (c.2015)
➡️ macOS 13 Ventura is compatible with the Macs listed here (c.2017)
❗️ – IMPORTANT – If upgrading from 10.14 Mojave or earlier, your older 32-bit
apps & drivers won’t work! They must also be updated or replaced.
Use this free utility> Go64 app from St. Claire Software to check your apps.
For additional guidance on upgrading your OS, please see: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support
Can I update my 2017 MacBook Pro with 8 GB memory from macOS Mojave to an earlier macOS version?
