HT201475: Upgrade to OS X El Capitan

Howard Hudson

Level 1 (4 points)

Mac OS X

Q: How do I install El Capitan on a Mini as a Target disk WITHOUT upgrading my OS to El Capitan?

I am using a MBP running 10.9, but want to install El Capitan onto a Mini in target disk mode so that the Mini will boot in 10.11, but my machine will stay on 10.9. Is that possible?
The App Store makes the old installers and .dmgs look pretty attractive for something like this.

Goal: late 2012 Mac Mini (currently erased) to boot into El Capitán, the machine doing the installation stays where it is on 10.9.

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Target Disk from older OS

Posted on May 30, 2016 12:49 PM

I have this question too

Q: How do I install El Capitan on a Mini as a Target disk WITHOUT upgrading my OS to El Capitan?

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by macjack,

macjack May 30, 2016 12:55 PM in response to Howard Hudson
Level 9 (55,682 points)

Mac OS X

May 30, 2016 12:55 PM in response to Howard Hudson

Yes, just choose the external to install. You don't need target disk mode for that, just install directly onto the mini unless it has some problem.
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by Barney-15E,

Barney-15E May 30, 2016 12:56 PM in response to Howard Hudson
Level 8 (49,784 points)

Mac OS X

May 30, 2016 12:56 PM in response to Howard Hudson

You should be able to select the mounted "target mode" disk as the destination. However, why not just install directly from the Mini. Just boot into Internet Recovery (cmd-opt-r) on the Mini.
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HT201475: Upgrade to OS X El Capitan

Q: How do I install El Capitan on a Mini as a Target disk WITHOUT upgrading my OS to El Capitan?

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by macjack,

by Barney-15E,

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