How to install Garageband on Catalina or older?

Question

Level 1

15 points

How to install Garageband on Catalina or older?

I have upgraded my MBP mid 2012 with 16bg ram and a SSD drive and also upgraded to Catalina once at it as I like my machine and have always been a fan of Mac. The issue now is that I can't download GB as I need Big Sur (MBP not compatible) and I don't get the option to download the latest compatible version in AppStore.

I tried to download GB v. 6.0.5 from my previous purchases in Catalina, but the "open" button doesn't work. I then tried to (as some have hinted) boot from my old drive with High Sierra installed to download it fresh there - it did not work either as macOS 11 is required. I then tried the v. 6.0.5 from my previous purchases which then downloaded successfully and was added to my Launchpad.

Great success! ...Or?

When launching, it automatically opens a window to complete the installation and starts downloading 1,6GB of updates which then fails at around 80% as *drum roll* I need macOS 11 to run it.

What should I do to get GB installed on my Catalina MBP??!

There must be a version available for download for the OS that was the current macOS until 6 months ago.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 2, 2021 1:52 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,531 points

Apr 2, 2021 3:17 AM in response to SweSovereign

GarageBand 6.0.5 cannot run on Catalina, as it needs 32-bit system frameworks, that are no longer available on Catalina. macOS 10.14 is the last system to run the old GarageBand 6.0.5.

Did you ever install and download the newer GarageBand 10, while running macOS 10.13?

Then try to download GarageBand 10 from your previous purchases. GarageBAnd 10 replaced the iLife version of GarageBand several years ago. It is a different application, so your previous purchase of the iLife GarageBand does not count to get GarageBand 10. You can only reinstall it from the App Store, if you previously purchased GarageBand 10.

Otherwise downgrade your Mac back to macOS 10.13, and use the GarageBand version 6.0.5, that will run on macOS 10.13 or macOS 10.14.

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 25, 2021 1:01 PM in response to SweSovereign

Keep in mind—-If you have NOT had it under your Apple ID before then a clever workaround is to sign out of the App Store, have a friend who HAS had it before sign in with their Apple ID, download the last compatible version, then sign out. GarageBand remains on your computer after they sign out.

Reply

Answer 3

SweSovereign Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 2, 2021 3:47 AM in response to léonie

I never used it since I bought my computer new, so I have never downloaded another version.

I have my old HDD with High Sierra, so I assume I'll have to install Mojave on that drive and use for music purposes. Not optimal but might work?

Reply

Answer 4

SweSovereign Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 2, 2021 4:44 AM in response to léonie

It hit me - High Sierra IS 10.14 and it should therefore run the 6.0.5. But as I wrote, when opening the downloaded app from Launchpad, it automatically starts downloading the new version which is not compatible.

Catch 22.

Reply

Answer 5

léonie

Level 10

200,531 points

Apr 2, 2021 3:33 AM in response to léonie

See this support document on how to downgrade back to a previous system version:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170217073839/https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21950?locale=en_US

Reply

How to install Garageband on Catalina or older?

Similar questions