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Operating Systems for a 21.5 inch late 2013 iMac

I have a 21.5 inch late 2013 iMac currently on version 10.12.6 Sierra OS. Should I upgrade to a newer OS and which one?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 9:06 AM

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Posted on Oct 20, 2021 10:03 AM

A 2103 iMac can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15, 

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.

https://roaringapps.com

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 are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned it does 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 free 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.

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Oct 20, 2021 10:03 AM in response to dcherry18

A 2103 iMac can upgrade to the newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15, 

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.

https://roaringapps.com

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 are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned it does 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 free 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.

Operating Systems for a 21.5 inch late 2013 iMac

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