How can I download GarageBand 10.3.5 on Catalina?

Thanks jcrandall, that actually worked!

I installed GarageBand on a (different) Mojave System, then I restarted my Catalina System. The purchase date in the App Store changed and now I got the option of loading the newest available version (instead of loading the non-functional 6.0.5 version as before).

What a strange behavior...

I found my own workaround and that was to boot Big Sur 11.2 on my MP5,1 via OpenCore. Once booted into BS, I started the download of GB then cancelled it after a few seconds. That was enough to get it logged into my App Store download history. Once I was booted back into Mojave, I was then given the option to download the latest compatible version (10.3.5) for my current OS.

Personally, I think it's stupid of Apple to do things this way. People who can't find their own workarounds are bound to purchase 3rd party solutions.

As jcrandall replied, it works.

However, I have to try several times to click the cloud icon. I kept getting an error message "We could not complete your purchase. Cancelled " many times.

Dec 5, 2020 10:03 PM in response to halforange

Hi, I was going crazy about this too. I figured it out though.

Launch the app store

At the bottom of the page click on your account

Find Garageband in the list

Click the cloud download icon

When prompted, download the latest compatible version

Done.

For those that haven’t ever downloaded Garage Band for Catalina or any other newer App Store version I suggest using a 16gb flash drive and installing an older version of MacOS (high Sierra, Mojave) and purchase garage band on that operating system.

For those who have access to a machine already running an older MacOS version, log into the App Store and purchase garage band.

Once you have made your purchase using either these methods Garage Band should be available for download on Catalina.

disclaimer: I say “should” because I have not personally tested these methods.

Hi, I was going crazy about this too. I figured it out though.

Launch the app store

At the bottom of the page click on your account

Find Garageband in the list

Click the cloud download icon

When prompted, download the latest compatible version

Done.

Luckily for me, I went into my download history in Apple Store. The last time I had downloaded and installed GB was in 2019. I was able to go back in today and re-install that and it works!

But what a rough way to get the app. I thought Apple wanted to simplify things? Took me awhile to figure it out. Checking through these threads helped too. Thanks, everyone!

jcrandall wrote:

<snip>

For those who have access to a machine already running an older MacOS version, log into the App Store and purchase garage band.

<snip>

disclaimer: I say “should” because I have not personally tested these methods.

If you would have read any of the dozens of post on this subject you would realize that this won't work. The *only* version available in the app store proper* - no matter what OS you use - is the Big Sur version.

*that is, not in your purchases.

Based on jcrandall's suggestion I did the following:

1. Delete Garageband from /Applications
2. Empty trash
3. Go to app store and click on my account (lower left of window)
4. Scrolled to GarageBand, which I had previously installed. There was now a download icon
5. Clicking download brings up the screen shot I've attached--The app store will pick the newest version of the app that will run on your system. My system is running Mojave.

Don't EVER download from suspicious sites. But this guy on Reddit has shared a disk image of a Catalina compatible version which I have just downloaded iand it works. Here's the link to the thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/kebnq5/garageband_dmg_for_catalina/

And here's the direct link for the disk image he has shared on his iCloud:

***

Take care,

Pedro

[Link Edited by Moderator]

This worked for me, but only on the "Account Page". It doesn't work if you click on the garage band icon, and then, on that page, try and click the cloud icon.

I have a 2012 MacAir and messed up by downloading Catalina thinking I'll just upgrade Garageband only to find out I can't do that unless I have IOS 11 which I can't put on a 2012 MacAir. So...your recommendation seems promising but when I follow your instructions, there doesn't appear to be a cloud download icon. I have an icon next to the GarageBand version displayed in my account (fyi it says its 6.0.5 from June 2013) that only says "Open" and when clicking on it, nothing happens.

Do I have to delete the version of GarageBand that I have on my computer currently to bring up the "cloud download" option?

Thanks for the follow up response!

Doesn't work for me either.

App Store purchase history only shows (and downloads/installs) version 6.0.5 which is not compatible with Catalina. I definitely had later versions installed at some point. deleting and reinstalling does not help either.

I thought it would work. Glad to help. I had no way to test the theory with my equipment.

I had to do something similar to this on iOS (maybe iOS 4 🤭) after buying the iOS garage band Apple then released it for free on new devices. I had do download garage band on a newer device linked to my account and then was able to get a newer version on the older device.

I have exactly the same problem, please can someone bring some help