Tried to download Yosemite from App Store and get a message it can't be installed on my computer!

Mac Store says I can't install Yosemite on my Mac Pro (5.1) that has a 512GB hard drive (275GB free space) and 32GB RAM currently running 10.9.5 . . .


I have no interest in upgrading to the latest version of OS X since I'm running CS 6 apps and upgrading beyond El Capitan will eliminate any option to use CS 6. I'm also limited to using my cellphone hotspot, so downloading 6GB update files every year for no useful reason is a royal PITA.


I did purchase a USB from Amazon with Yosemite and El Capitan but it won't arrive until ??? and I'd like to upgrade to Yosemite now. There is no reason I should be receiving this error.

Mac Pro

Posted on Feb 5, 2019 10:08 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 5, 2019 7:42 PM

Yosemite is no longer available for download, unless you had previously downloaded it, it should show up in your Purchased section of the App Store. As your MacPro 5.1 can upgrade higher than El Capitan you will be refused the download of it.

Your MacPro 5.1 can upgrade to Sierra which is still available for download and should run Adobe CS6 apps.

How to upgrade to macOS Sierra - Apple Support

See screenshot at the bottom of the reply..

If you are worried by app compatibility you can have different OS's running on different disks or partitions, your Mac has room for 4 internal drives. As it is a MacPro 5.1 it can upgrade to Mojave if you have a 'Metal' capable graphics card installed. So you can run your CS6 apps on one disk or partition on either Sierra or keep Mavericks, and have newer OS on another disk or partition. If you don't have a 'Metal' capable graphics card then High Sierra is available too, but may have problems with CS6 apps.

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

So you can elect to keep your Mavericks install and run your CS6 apps on that, or upgrade to Sierra and run CS6 there.

On another disk or partition you can install any of the newer OS's, (Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave all receive security upgrades

anything older than Sierra no longer does) so you can run any web based apps on that disk or partition. When you download a new OS, before you go ahead with the install look in the Applications folder for an item called Install macOS xxxxxx.app and make copy of it and keep it safe on another disk or USB stick, the one in the Applications folder self deletes on completion of the install.

Drag the screenshot below onto your desktop and open in Preview for a larger clearer view.


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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 5, 2019 7:42 PM in response to wckedone

Yosemite is no longer available for download, unless you had previously downloaded it, it should show up in your Purchased section of the App Store. As your MacPro 5.1 can upgrade higher than El Capitan you will be refused the download of it.

Your MacPro 5.1 can upgrade to Sierra which is still available for download and should run Adobe CS6 apps.

How to upgrade to macOS Sierra - Apple Support

See screenshot at the bottom of the reply..

If you are worried by app compatibility you can have different OS's running on different disks or partitions, your Mac has room for 4 internal drives. As it is a MacPro 5.1 it can upgrade to Mojave if you have a 'Metal' capable graphics card installed. So you can run your CS6 apps on one disk or partition on either Sierra or keep Mavericks, and have newer OS on another disk or partition. If you don't have a 'Metal' capable graphics card then High Sierra is available too, but may have problems with CS6 apps.

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

So you can elect to keep your Mavericks install and run your CS6 apps on that, or upgrade to Sierra and run CS6 there.

On another disk or partition you can install any of the newer OS's, (Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave all receive security upgrades

anything older than Sierra no longer does) so you can run any web based apps on that disk or partition. When you download a new OS, before you go ahead with the install look in the Applications folder for an item called Install macOS xxxxxx.app and make copy of it and keep it safe on another disk or USB stick, the one in the Applications folder self deletes on completion of the install.

Drag the screenshot below onto your desktop and open in Preview for a larger clearer view.


Feb 5, 2019 1:43 PM in response to wckedone

The USB from Amazon will likely contain installers downloaded using someone elses Apple ID. That could cause problems in the future.


You are probably getting that error message because your computer can run Sierra/High Sierra.


You can try to download it at the link below. If it won't let you, then your only options are to upgrade to Sierra/High Sierra/Mojave or find an older computer where you can download it using your Apple ID.




El Capitan

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Tried to download Yosemite from App Store and get a message it can't be installed on my computer!

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