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Stuck on old software version

Hi there. My mac book air is still stuck on MacOS High Sierra. When I go to 'About my mac' and click on software update, nothing comes up in my app store. I have tried from the apple site as well where it tells me to go to the apple sign and click on 'system preferences' and then 'software update', the software update part appears no where under system preferences. Please advise what to do.



Posted on Jul 29, 2021 2:18 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 29, 2021 3:52 AM

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. Make sure to use Only Safari to commence the download as Others may not work


Make a Time Machine Backup Before attempting. Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina and Big Sur Only support 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 29, 2021 3:52 AM in response to Mbear_luv

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. Make sure to use Only Safari to commence the download as Others may not work


Make a Time Machine Backup Before attempting. Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina and Big Sur Only support 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation

Jul 29, 2021 3:53 AM in response to Mbear_luv

Depends which MBA you have...


macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.8 or later

2GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)


Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12


MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210190

Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support


And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...


https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/


macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra or later*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Big Sur:

MacBook (2015 or later)

MacBook Air (2013 or later)

MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)

Mac mini (2014 or later)

iMac (2014 or later)

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro (2013 or later)

Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model

Don't use FireFox or WaterFox for this link. it'll mess it up...

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12


And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...


https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

Stuck on old software version

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