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Cannot update MacOS from El Capitain 10.11.6

I have a Macbook Pro 2015 running El Capitain 10.11.6. App Store says no update available. Cannot download either Mojave or Catalina from the App Store.


Have tried safe mode, resetting PRAM, creating a new admin user.


Any ideas? This is very frustrating!!!!!


Thank you

MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Aug 14, 2020 5:33 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 14, 2020 6:40 AM

The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are currently running.

As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system.


If you want to install a newer OS that is called an Upgrade. 


Your 2015 mac can upgrade to any of the following OS's,


Please use Safari to access the following links do not use Firefox


How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support


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.


Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

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


If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned that it does not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/. Once the list has been created you can then

contact the developers of the apps to see if they provide 64bit updates. 


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support



2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 14, 2020 6:40 AM in response to thinker123

The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are currently running.

As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system.


If you want to install a newer OS that is called an Upgrade. 


Your 2015 mac can upgrade to any of the following OS's,


Please use Safari to access the following links do not use Firefox


How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support


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.


Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

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


If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned that it does not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/. Once the list has been created you can then

contact the developers of the apps to see if they provide 64bit updates. 


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support



Aug 14, 2020 6:42 AM in response to thinker123

Here is an Apple article which contains links to macOS 10.11 through 10.15 as well as instructions for creating a bootable macOS USB drive (highly recommended to have in case something goes wrong):

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372


FYI, read the instructions for "installing" macOS 10.11 El Capitan very carefully since it is distributed differently outside the App Store as a .dmg file and requires an extra step to use.


I highly recommend you have a good backup before proceeding with the upgrade. You should always have frequent & regular backups.

Cannot update MacOS from El Capitain 10.11.6

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