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Cannot find Catalina 10.15 installer

I need to upgrade my Macbook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) system from OS X Yosemite to Catalina 10.15.


However I cannot find Catalina 10.15 in APP store (when I search macos I can only see the latest Monterey available to get, which is not compatible with my Macbook.


Also I cannot open the related link in the apple support page: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT211683 to download Catalina.


Is there any other way to download Catalina installer?



MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Nov 29, 2021 4:18 PM

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Posted on Nov 29, 2021 4:34 PM

Before you go to an operating system that strictly supports only 64-bit applications, I suggest that you run the free Go64 app to see what 32-bit applications you are using on Yosemite that are not supported on Catalina. This would hold true for printer/scanner drivers too.


Then, using the Safari browser only, visit How to get old versions of macOS where you will find the link to the full Catalina installer in the Mac App Store.


It would be a good idea to get a last Time Machine backup before the upgrade, and then do not use that backup drive with Catalina.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 29, 2021 4:34 PM in response to yc108

Before you go to an operating system that strictly supports only 64-bit applications, I suggest that you run the free Go64 app to see what 32-bit applications you are using on Yosemite that are not supported on Catalina. This would hold true for printer/scanner drivers too.


Then, using the Safari browser only, visit How to get old versions of macOS where you will find the link to the full Catalina installer in the Mac App Store.


It would be a good idea to get a last Time Machine backup before the upgrade, and then do not use that backup drive with Catalina.

Nov 30, 2021 4:28 AM in response to yc108

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

Cannot find Catalina 10.15 installer

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