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Can’t upgrade past El Capitan

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15” and I upgraded the computer with a 1 TB SSD and 16 GB of memory and it won’t let me upgrade past El Capitan version 10.11.6. Is this the furthest I’m able to upgrade to with a mid 2012 model?

MacBook Pro 15″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Mar 16, 2021 6:01 AM

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2 replies

Mar 17, 2021 8:07 AM in response to Thebeardedone1450

Hi Thebeardedone1450,


It sounds like you have some questions about updating your Mac. We can help with this.


It looks like for the 2012 MacBook Pro models, the latest compatible version of macOS would be macOS Catalina. This resource will explain how to identify your MacBook Pro model and also provide you with the latest compatible version of macOS: Identify your MacBook Pro model


You can find out more information about how to update your Mac here: How to update the software on your Mac


We hope this helps.


Take care!

Mar 17, 2021 8:22 AM in response to Thebeardedone1450

Your 2012 MacBook Pro can upgrade to all available OS's except the latest version macOS Big Sur 11.0.


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


Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.


If you want to upgrade to either macOS Mojave 10.14 or macOS Catalina 10.15 then I would recommend that you

upgrade to macOS High Sierra 10.13 first


For Sierra 10.12, High Sierra 10.13, Mojave 10.14 or Catalina 10.15,


Open Safari and click on this link, 

How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support

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.

Can’t upgrade past El Capitan

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