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Why can't I update my OS on my MacBook Air 2015?!

I desperately need to update for El Capitan so that I can download a program that I need for school. I have downloaded both Mojave and Catalina from the App Store, but neither will actually let me install. It says that download is damaged or something? Does anyone have any advice?! I used to get automatic updates from my computer, but I don't remember seeing one to update the OS for awhile. I have plenty of storage so I know that is not the problem. Any help would be amazing. Thanks



MacBook Air 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 1:45 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 22, 2020 2:08 PM

Go into your Applications folder, find the installer and delete it. Boot into Safe Mode (How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support) by booting with the Shift key held down and download and install the upgrade again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing some system cache cleaning, volume verifying and directory repairing. 


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 22, 2020 2:08 PM in response to skyemilli

Go into your Applications folder, find the installer and delete it. Boot into Safe Mode (How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support) by booting with the Shift key held down and download and install the upgrade again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing some system cache cleaning, volume verifying and directory repairing. 


Sep 22, 2020 2:10 PM in response to skyemilli

The best for you would be to make a clean install of macOS.

First backup all you personal data (docs, songs, picture, etc.) to an external disk.

Create a bootable USB stick with Catalina Installer https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

Reset SMC - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

Reset NVRAM - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

Turn on your Mac holding Option so you'll be prompted with boot options

Choose the Installer

Once you get to Recovery Mode, erase the Mac disk completely https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496

Start the installation of macOS and go through the entire process.

Once macOS is installed, check for updates and install them all.

After that install all your apps.

Now start copying back all your personal data from that external HD.


That way you'll have a clean install and the best experience with your Mac.


I do not recommend using Time Machine or Migration Assistant in your case. You don't want debris from previous system like old and/or corrupted files and settings that might cause you problems. This is even more important here because you're still running an older version of macOS.


Take your time to do that clean install and you'll be very pleased with the result.

Why can't I update my OS on my MacBook Air 2015?!

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