How Long Does the macOS Mojave Update Take (10.14.6)

The macOS Mojave 10.14.6 update is a significant upgrade and is a reasonable size for our MacBook Pro at over 2GB. Here’s how long it will take to download and install macOS 10.14. If you’re ready, the upgrade will go smoothly and it shouldn’t take long to install on your Macbook, MacBook Air, iMac, MacBook Pro or Mac Pro.

This smaller update includes important fixes for macOS, as well as AirPlay 2 support and a new Apple News+ feature.

The most common question we hear today is “How long will it take for the macOS Mojave update to complete?” This is a reasonable question as you can’t use the Mac while it’s loading.

If you’re already using macOS Mojave, this upgrade will likely take around 30-45 minutes, but if you’re on macOS High Sierra, it will be a larger download and take longer.

On a 400Mbps internet connection, I was able to download macOS Mojave 10.14.6 in about 20 minutes. Installation took about 20 minutes and during that time I couldn’t use my Mac.

We can’t tell you exactly how long it will take for macOS Mojave to install on your Mac, as download times will vary based on demand and your Internet connection.

One of the biggest factors you can control is whether you are prepared. If you have a valid Time Machine Backup and you’re ready to go, this process will go more smoothly. The table above shows how long the main steps will take. One of the reasons you might not want to install macOS Mojave yet is the length of time and other issues.

Prepare for macOS Mojave

A Time Machine backup isn’t necessary, but it would be silly to continue without some kind of backup. This is one of the most important steps on our to-do list before installing macOS Mojave.

It may take longer to install macOS Mojave, but it’s worth it to protect your files and data.

macOS Mojave Download Time

The wildcard for everyone is how long the macOS Mojave download time is. Two factors play a role here; your connection and the number of people trying to download the update. If you have a fast internet connection, you can download this update in about 10 to 15 minutes, but it may take longer for some users.

macOS Mojave Installation Time

That’s how long macOS Mojave takes to install.

If all goes well, macOS Mojave will take around 30 to 40 minutes to install. This includes a quick download and a simple install without any issues or errors.

We’ve already backed up to Time Machine, so we expect the download to complete in about 10 minutes if the servers can stand it, and then budget another 20 minutes for the actual installation, during which time you won’t be able to use the Mac.