You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mac OS Won't Update

I'm using a MacBook Air mid-2012, and I'm trying to update the OS, but I am having difficulty. The MacBook is currently running Catalina 10.15.7, and the only update I have available is "MacOS Catalina Security Update 2021-004 10.15.7". Each time I try to update, the system asks me to restart and then download. However, I seem to be in a loop of restarting, trying to download and then the system asking me to restart before the update each time.


I have also tried to download Big Sur, which is "available on this Mac", - as the app store tells me, but there is an error if I try to download it.


Any help would be much appreciated.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 7, 2021 6:57 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 7, 2021 6:47 PM

Download the Security Update from here,

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2079?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Once downloaded double-click to install.


Your 2012 MacBook Air cannot install macOS Big Sur, your mac does not meet the hardware

requirements for Big Sur.


macOS Big Sur is compatible with the following computers. 

MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

MacBook Air introduced in 2013 or later

MacBook Pro introduced in late 2013 or later

Mac mini introduced in 2014 or later

iMac introduced in 2014 or later

iMac Pro

Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

View the complete list of compatible computers.


Ignore what the App Store says, it is wrong and has been wrong for a long time

I have a 2010 Mac Pro and the it definitely cannot install Big Sur but the App Store

says Works on this Mac Pro.


Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 7, 2021 6:47 PM in response to Jxmb0b-

Download the Security Update from here,

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2079?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Once downloaded double-click to install.


Your 2012 MacBook Air cannot install macOS Big Sur, your mac does not meet the hardware

requirements for Big Sur.


macOS Big Sur is compatible with the following computers. 

MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

MacBook Air introduced in 2013 or later

MacBook Pro introduced in late 2013 or later

Mac mini introduced in 2014 or later

iMac introduced in 2014 or later

iMac Pro

Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

View the complete list of compatible computers.


Ignore what the App Store says, it is wrong and has been wrong for a long time

I have a 2010 Mac Pro and the it definitely cannot install Big Sur but the App Store

says Works on this Mac Pro.


Aug 7, 2021 7:06 AM in response to Jxmb0b-

Firstly the Apple update for Catalina Security Update 2021-004. Suggest Manually download. And Stop there. Check how much Empty Space is Available on the computer. About this Mac >> Storage tab. How much empty space ?? - post back the results.


Reason asking to do this step is because you tried to download Big Sur and that gave an Error Message. From my experience - this error message may indicate several things Including but not limited to Lack Of Empty Space.

Mac OS Won't Update

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.