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How to upgrade from El Capitan to Catalina?

I was trying to upgrade my mid-2012 11” MacBook Air from OS 10.11.6 El Capitan.

(Better late than never?)


According to this Apple help page, it should be able to run Catalina:

https://www.apple.com/ug/macos/how-to-upgrade/#hardware-requirements


So I downloaded the Catalina 10.15.7 combo update and tried to install.  Got this message:

“ALERT: This update requires macOS version 10.15.”


What to do?  I tried downloading the OS 10.15.1 Update from Apple. 

Again:  “ALERT: This update requires macOS version 10.15.”


Problem: I can’t find 10.15 anywhere.  Well, at least I tried.  Help?

MacBook Air 11″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jan 30, 2021 9:13 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 30, 2021 9:52 AM

The 10.15.7 Combo update is just that, it is an update you need to already be running

an earlier version of Catalina before it will install.


To upgrade your mac to a newer OS is called an upgrade and requires you to download the full installer app,

this is called Install macOS Catalina.app it is 8.24 GBs in size.


In your case if wanting to install Catalina I would recommend you upgrade to macOS High Sierra first

as this will allow you to install the necessary firmware to facilitate the conversion from the HFS+ file system

to the new APFS file system.


For macOS High Sierra and macOS Catalina,


Open Safari and click on this link, 


How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support


Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.


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 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/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 30, 2021 9:52 AM in response to William Kussmaul

The 10.15.7 Combo update is just that, it is an update you need to already be running

an earlier version of Catalina before it will install.


To upgrade your mac to a newer OS is called an upgrade and requires you to download the full installer app,

this is called Install macOS Catalina.app it is 8.24 GBs in size.


In your case if wanting to install Catalina I would recommend you upgrade to macOS High Sierra first

as this will allow you to install the necessary firmware to facilitate the conversion from the HFS+ file system

to the new APFS file system.


For macOS High Sierra and macOS Catalina,


Open Safari and click on this link, 


How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support


Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.


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 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/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

How to upgrade from El Capitan to Catalina?

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