Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

OS Yosemite

Can I update my late 2009 Mac from Yosemite to something newer or is this it?

iMac, OS X 10.10

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 8:57 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Apr 30, 2020 9:13 AM

If you are using a late 2009 iMac you can upgrade to either El Capitan or the slightly newer High Sierra

If you can, connect your mac to your router via cable rather than WiFi.


Please use Safari and click on this link,


How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan – Apple Support


Go to Section 4 and click on Download OS X El Capitan.


This downloads InstallMacOSX.dmg to your Downloads folder.


When downloaded open to InstallMacOSX.pkg, double-click on

that and an installation window will open, this does not install El Capitan

but converts the .pkg to the Install OS X El Capitan.app which you will find in 

your Applications folder, it should be 6.2GBs in size.

To start the installation of El Capitan double click on the Install OS X El Capitan.app.


The copy of the install app self deletes after installing El Capitan, so make sure you keep a copy of the InstallMacOSX.dmg

if you need it in future, or you could just make a copy of the Install OS X El Capitan.app prior to installing and moving it to

an external drive for safe keeping. It is also possible to create a bootable USB installer disk, using the Install OS X El Capitan.app

in the Applications folder, and the createinstallmedia command in the Terminal app. Read the instructions here,

How to create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support


If you want to upgrade to High Sierra follow this link, please use Safari as your browser.


How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support


Again go to Section 4 and click on Get macOS High Sierra,

this will download Install macOS High Sierra.app directly to your Applications folder.

To start the installation simply click on the Install macOS High Sierra.app,

or create a bootable installer using the instructions above.


Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.


Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.


Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Apr 30, 2020 9:13 AM in response to kabelac3

If you are using a late 2009 iMac you can upgrade to either El Capitan or the slightly newer High Sierra

If you can, connect your mac to your router via cable rather than WiFi.


Please use Safari and click on this link,


How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan – Apple Support


Go to Section 4 and click on Download OS X El Capitan.


This downloads InstallMacOSX.dmg to your Downloads folder.


When downloaded open to InstallMacOSX.pkg, double-click on

that and an installation window will open, this does not install El Capitan

but converts the .pkg to the Install OS X El Capitan.app which you will find in 

your Applications folder, it should be 6.2GBs in size.

To start the installation of El Capitan double click on the Install OS X El Capitan.app.


The copy of the install app self deletes after installing El Capitan, so make sure you keep a copy of the InstallMacOSX.dmg

if you need it in future, or you could just make a copy of the Install OS X El Capitan.app prior to installing and moving it to

an external drive for safe keeping. It is also possible to create a bootable USB installer disk, using the Install OS X El Capitan.app

in the Applications folder, and the createinstallmedia command in the Terminal app. Read the instructions here,

How to create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support


If you want to upgrade to High Sierra follow this link, please use Safari as your browser.


How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support


Again go to Section 4 and click on Get macOS High Sierra,

this will download Install macOS High Sierra.app directly to your Applications folder.

To start the installation simply click on the Install macOS High Sierra.app,

or create a bootable installer using the instructions above.


Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.


Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.


Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

OS Yosemite

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.