My MacBook air is currently updated to OS Sierra, however when I try to update it to High Sierra, I get a message that says I need the 10.13 version to download it... High Sierra is 10.13, so how am I supposed to update it????
iMac, OS X 10.11
From your screenshot I see that you are trying to install an update for macOS High Sierra.
That is an update that can only be installed if you are already running an earlier version of macOS High Sierra.
If you want to install macOS High Sierra that is called an upgrade and can only be done
by downloading and installing the full installer which is only available through the App Store.
Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.
Click on the top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.
If you find your mac can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15,
macOs Big Sur 11.4 I would recommend you upgrade to macOS High Sierra 10.13 first.
For High Sierra, Mojave or 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.
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 want to or are able to install Big Sur, open Safari and click on the link below.
How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support
If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do 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.
From your screenshot I see that you are trying to install an update for macOS High Sierra.
That is an update that can only be installed if you are already running an earlier version of macOS High Sierra.
If you want to install macOS High Sierra that is called an upgrade and can only be done
by downloading and installing the full installer which is only available through the App Store.
Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.
Click on the top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.
If you find your mac can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15,
macOs Big Sur 11.4 I would recommend you upgrade to macOS High Sierra 10.13 first.
For High Sierra, Mojave or 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.
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 want to or are able to install Big Sur, open Safari and click on the link below.
How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support
If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do 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.
If you get a corrupted message...
Naw, not damaged, it's just that you have an old copy already in Applications, there are 2 cures...
Disconnect from the Internet & set the Date back to 2014, then you can run the Install MacsOS High Sierra App in Applications, so expired Certificates are not expired.
Or... trash the Install MacsOS High Sierra.app in Applications then a new copy more recent version can be downloaded.
I'm having the same problem. The answer above is really helpful. But when I follow the link to the High Sierra upgrade on the app store and try to open the upgrade I get a message which says "This copy of the install macOS High Sierra is damaged and can not be used to install macOS". How can I access an undamaged version of the High Sierra link?
Awesome - that worked - thanks!
Good news my friend, take care! :)
2015 macbook air won't download OS High Sierra
