Mac OS upgrade from Mavericks 10.9.5 to Sierra 10.12 failed

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Level 1

8 points

Mac OS upgrade from Mavericks 10.9.5 to Sierra 10.12 failed

On my Mac mini (late 2012), I downloaded and installed Sierra 10.12, after which i intended to install 10.12.6. After going through the installation procedure, the software said 10.12 was installed successfully.

But the Apple menu says the Mac mini is still on 10.9.5, even after restarting. I attempted to run the installer for the 10.12.6 upgrade, but it failed because it said that the update requires 10.12.

I chose Sierra 10.12 because it is the latest OS reported to run Adobe Creative Suite 4 with no problems.

Posted on Jun 28, 2020 10:03 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,112 points

Jun 29, 2020 2:40 AM in response to pennyfm

In some versions of Apple, a later upgrade once downloaded, and ready to begin installation

may appear in Mac's Applications folder. This may not be the case in an early OS X Mavericks..

First choice with an upgrade past 10.9.5 had been to get the installer for El Capitan 10.11.6; then

run it, and let that download the new 10.11.6; then use that, to install a newer operating system.

So look into the Applications folder to see if installer for Sierra or El Cap, is hiding there. Could be.

..Or you may have to use El Capitan 10.11.6 and get its installer, to upgrade past Mavericks. I did..

Good luck & happy computing!🌻🐝

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Answer 2

pennyfm Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 29, 2020 11:45 AM in response to K Shaffer

HI - that was it - had to go to the Applications folder, and the installer for Sierra was there. Did not need El Cap ...

actually if I had read the instructions more carefully I would have known that. Pilot error ... Thanks so much!

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

93,178 points

Jun 28, 2020 10:22 AM in response to pennyfm

From 10.9.5 try updating to Sierra, as per > How to upgrade to macOS Sierra - Apple Support

If you never updated to Sierra using your Apple ID, then you may be forced up to High Sierra, Mojave or even Catalina.

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS Catalina - Apple Support

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Answer 4

pennyfm Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 28, 2020 8:23 PM in response to pennyfm

So I started over and re-downloaded and reinstalled 10.12. It went through very quickly, as if all the files were already there. Again, it said it was successful. But then nothing else occurred. No automatic restart. When I restarted manually, no change in the Apple menu. Still on 10.9.5.

So then I downloaded and installed El Capitan, 10.10. This time the installation was not fast. Again, it said it was successful. But then nothing else occurred. Still on 10.9.5.

This problem must have occurred with others.

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