Generally, all computer, tablet, and phone listings on Back Market will show which operating system is pre-installed in the specs section. If you'd like to make sure you're using the best available OS, please follow the guide below.
Laptops and Computers
Phones
Macs
Macs include the MacBook, Air, & Pro; iMac & iMac Pro; Mac Mini, and Mac Pro.
We recommend that you stay up-to-date with the latest macOS your device can run since you will be able to install the newest security updates and services from Apple. That said, only certain devices can run the latest Big Sur software. Here is the current list of compatible devices:
- MacBook (2015 or later)
- MacBook Air (2013 or later)
- MacBook Pro (2013 or later)
- Mac mini (2014 or later)
- iMac (2014 or later)
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro (2013 or later)
You can check our full list of macOS compatibility here.
Checking your macOS Version
While we require our sellers to make sure every Mac is updated before shipping, it's still good to check for updates once your Mac arrives.
- Click the Apple symbol at the top right corner of your screen. Select "About This Mac"
2. The pop-up will show the current OS version you're running. If you select the "Software Update..." button, your computer will check for updates and ask for permission before installing.
Windows
For Windows computers and laptops, it's usually much simpler. For almost all devices, Windows 10 will come pre-installed. While Windows 10 Pro is not common, we're always happy to check if the device you're interested in has it. Just contact us with a link to the listing, and we'll get back to you within 1 business day.
Checking your Windows OS version
Windows makes it easy to check your device for updates. Just click this link and your device will take it from there!
What about Windows 11?
You can check your device's compatibility with Windows 11 and download the update here. It's a bit more complicated to determine a device's compatibility with Windows 11 because Microsoft doesn't exclusively manufacture all Windows computers like Apple, but if you compare the listing with these system requirements for Windows 11 before making your purchase, you should be able to ensure you'll be able to update your device:
Chrome
Because your Chromebooks apps typically reside in the cloud rather than on the machine itself, your device will usually require any updates to be completed before you're able to log into your device after resetting it.
Checking your Chrome OS version
If you'd like to manually check for any Chrome OS updates, follow these steps:
- At the bottom right side of the screen, select the time
- Select Settings
- At the bottom of the left panel, select "About Chrome OS"
- Select "Check for updates"
- If your Chromebook finds a software update, it'll start to download automatically
iPhones
The latest OS 15 was released in September 2021 and is available for all iPhones from the 2015 iPhone 6s or newer.
Checking your iOS version
To check your iPhone's iOS version, go to Settings > General > About. There you'll see your iOS under "Software Version.”
If you would like to update your device, if available, go to Settings > General > Software Update. You can download updates directly onto your device, or via a computer if you don't have enough storage space on your device by following these steps below.
Mac with macOS 10 (Catalina) or later
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Go to the Finder app
- Select your iPhone in the sidebar to the left of the main Finder window
- Go to General -> Check for Updates
- The update may take 30-60 minutes so be sure to leave your iPhone connected until it’s complete
- Safely remove your iPhone by clicking the eject icon next to your phone’s name in the sidebar of your Finder window
Mac with macOS 9 (Mojave) or a Windows Computer
- Open the iTunes app on your computer
- Connect your iPhone to the computer
- Wait for the device to appear in your iTunes sidebar and select it
- Go to Summary -> Check for Updates
- The update may take 30-60 minutes so be sure to leave your iPhone connected until it’s complete
Safely remove your iPhone by clicking the eject icon next to the image of your iPhone in the sidebar of the iTunes menu
Android
Android 11 was released in September 2020 and is currently the latest version available, with approximately 30% of devices on the market running it. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer if their devices can run Android 11, so the best way to determine your device's compatibility is to check for the specific device you're planning on purchasing. You can find a great list of devices that can run Android 11 here.
Checking your Android OS version
To check your phone for the OS, go to System > Advanced > System Update. There you'll see your OS version, security patch level, and have the option to update, if available.
Need more help?
Feel free to get in touch with us here.