I'm currently using Version 10.13.6, but need at least 10.14 to install Microsoft office for education now.
I was able to find 10.14.1 but I need 10.14 first to install that. Thank you for your help.
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13
How to Upgrade macOS:
The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the model and year of your Mac.
Click the (Apple) menu at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac.
❗️ – IMPORTANT – Backup your data. (You’ve been warned.)
Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
❗️ – IMPORTANT – Your 32-bit apps won’t work in Catalina or Big Sur.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436
Use this free utility to check the compatibility of your apps:
St. Claire Software – Go64: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
🖥 – Check compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475
✅ - Using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer:
How to Upgrade macOS:
The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the model and year of your Mac.
Click the (Apple) menu at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac.
❗️ – IMPORTANT – Backup your data. (You’ve been warned.)
Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
❗️ – IMPORTANT – Your 32-bit apps won’t work in Catalina or Big Sur.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436
Use this free utility to check the compatibility of your apps:
St. Claire Software – Go64: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
🖥 – Check compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475
✅ - Using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer:
The 10.14.1 you tried to install is an update for macOS Mojave, you can only install updates like that if you are running a previous version of macOS Mojave.
You are asking about upgrading your mac from one OS to a newer OS like Mojave or Catalina, to upgrade your mac you need to download and install the full installer app 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 11.5 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.
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.
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...
In addition to D.I. Johnson's excellent comments, the support article you arrived here from should provide with how to download older macOS versions. (Anything prior to Big Sur is considered "older.")
Thank you for your help. My Mac is iMac (21.5-inch, late 2013 version) so I should be able to upgrade it to OS10.14 or 10.15.
However, no matter how many times I tried to click your links, I can't find OS10.14 download. I get item not available response.
Any idea?
Hi, thank you for your response. Following your advise, I checked compatibility and I know that
I can install OS10.14 or 10.15 in my old iMac. However, when I go to the Download OS section and click on the OS I want,
I get 'Item not available" response. Is it only me? Thank you for your help.
You're not using Firefox are you?
No, I used Safari. It leads me to iTune store, and to "item not available".
Are you running any VPN, Anti-Virus, or Cleaning apps?
Is you clock within 30 seconds of real time?
Is either OS10.14 or 10.15 available for free download somewhere?
