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macos highsierra will not allow to update

how can i update the os to later versions like mojave or cattalina?


iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 28, 2021 3:57 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 28, 2021 7:04 AM

The age of your Mac determines the major version of macOS that you can upgrade too. Using strictly the Safari browser, view How to get old versions of macOS and check if your Mac meets the hardware requirements for Mojave or later. Your iMac must be a Late-2012 or newer model to upgrade to either operating system.


Although Mojave supports compatible 32-bit/64-bit applications, Catalina only supports 64-bit applications and printer/scanner drivers. Use the free Go64 application to inventory your 32-bit applications. Check that your third-party application and printer/scanner vendors support the newer operating system before you leap.


Always perform a Time Machine backup of the current operating system (and your data) before upgrading the operating system. Do not reuse that Time Machine backup drive in the new operating system, in case you need to revert back to the old version.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 28, 2021 7:04 AM in response to parmjitbhoday

The age of your Mac determines the major version of macOS that you can upgrade too. Using strictly the Safari browser, view How to get old versions of macOS and check if your Mac meets the hardware requirements for Mojave or later. Your iMac must be a Late-2012 or newer model to upgrade to either operating system.


Although Mojave supports compatible 32-bit/64-bit applications, Catalina only supports 64-bit applications and printer/scanner drivers. Use the free Go64 application to inventory your 32-bit applications. Check that your third-party application and printer/scanner vendors support the newer operating system before you leap.


Always perform a Time Machine backup of the current operating system (and your data) before upgrading the operating system. Do not reuse that Time Machine backup drive in the new operating system, in case you need to revert back to the old version.

Nov 28, 2021 7:19 AM in response to parmjitbhoday

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence


Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020


Tips Monterey Upgrade  Released Oct 25, 2021


Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.


Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal  operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation

Dec 17, 2021 10:03 AM in response to 1aabb

But does it qualify for a newer OS version?


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...


https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/


macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra 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 Big Sur:

MacBook (2015 or later)

MacBook Air (2013 or later)

MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)

Mac mini (2014 or later)

iMac (2014 or later)

iMac Pro (2017 or later)

Mac Pro (2013 or later)

Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model

Don't use FireFox or WaterFox for this link. it'll mess it up...

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12


And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...


https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

macos highsierra will not allow to update

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