Upgrade from Mavericks 10.9.5 to Big Sur for iMac 14,4
I have an iMac model 14,4, OS: Mavericks 10.9.5. If I try to upgrade the OS to Big Sur, the install hangs (no error messages). Is my iMac incompatible with Big Sur?
iMac Pro
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An iMac 14.4 is from 2014 and can upgrade to macOS Big Sur.
You must have at least 44.5GBs of free space., plus enough space for the 12.26GBs installer app.
Although Apple says you can upgrade directly from Mavericks to Big Sur I would recommend that you upgrade
to macOS High Sierra first as this will prepare your mac for the new APFS file system.
As well as preparing your mac for the new OS you need to prepare yourself for the new OS.
Moving from Mavericks to Big Sur is a huge leap and you cannot expect the things you rely on now
to keep on working in the new OS.
For High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina,
Open Safari and click on this link,
How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support
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 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.