This update requires OS X version 10.10.
I have OS version 10.9.5 and I want to upgrade to 10.10.5, but I get this message even before it attempts to install, can someone help?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13
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What you have been trying to install is an update for Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite probably downloaded from
the Apple Support Downloads site these updates can only be installed if you are already running an earlier
version of Mac OS X Yosemite.
If you want to move from one OS to a newer OS that is called an upgrade and can only be done using the
full installer app.
Follow the instructions below if you want to install Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.5, if you would rather upgrade
directly to Mac OS X El Capitan10.11.6 follow the same instructions but replace any mention of Yosemite with El Capitan.
How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support
Go to Download macOS and click on OS X Yosemite 10.10
this downloads InstallMacOSX.dmg to your Downloads folder.
The next section can only be done on a mac that is capable of running Yosemite,
a mac that came preinstalled with an OS later than Yosemite will refuse to do the next bit.
When downloaded open to InstallMacOSX.pkg, double-click on
that and an installation window will open, this does not install Yosemite
but converts the InstallMacOSX.pkg to the Install OS X Yosemite.app which
you will find in your Applications folder.
(If the installation window asks which disk you want to install to, you must pick
the disk that you are booted to at the time. Not any internal or external disk that
you want to eventually install Yosemite on, that is for later.)
To start the installation of Yosemite double click on the Install OS X Yosemite.app.
The copy of the install app self deletes after installing Yosemite, so make sure you keep a copy of the InstallMacOSX.dmg
if you need it in future, or you could just make a copy of the Install OS X Yosemite.app prior to installing and moving it to
an external drive for safe keeping. It is also possible to create a bootable USB installer disk using the Install OS X Yosemite.app
in the Applications folder and the createinstallmedia command in the Terminal app.
Read the instructions here,
How to create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app
It may also be possible for your mac to upgrade to some of the newer OS's if you are interested.
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 11.5 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.
This will redirect you to the App Store download page for the chosen OS it should say
Get or Download. This downloads the Install macOS ******.app directly to your
Applications folder.
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.
