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I have a MacBook Air 13 inch 2017. It says above that I should be compatible for macOS Monterey however when I go to download the software update it reads "cannot be installed on macintosh HD". please help.

I have a MacBook Air 13 inch 2017. It says above that I should be compatible for macOS Monterey however when I go to download the software update it reads "cannot be installed on macintosh HD". please help.


Posted on Jan 14, 2022 9:33 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 14, 2022 11:05 AM

Perhaps if you know the present version & step of macOS now installed

on your Mac's drive ~ that may help to determine what might be next.


From what I could tell from reference MacTracker &/or Everymac site

the model year would have shipped with version macOS Sierra 10.12.4.


(Could be a newer version macOS may need installed; before the last

supported version may be allowed to be installed. Happened before.)


MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

Introduced June 2017 - Discontinued July 2019

Model Identifier MacBookAir7,2 - Model NumberA1466

EMC3178 - Order Number(s) MQD32LL/A (128 GB storage), or MQD42LL/A (256 GB storage)


Further upgrades would be downloadable installers that then would

be run from within your Mac to do just that; before they'd be able to

run a Mac... they'd need to fully download parts and install them all.


See compatible versions and how to download (use Safari).


• How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


Could take a few hours, and several re-starts.

Plus additional downloads.


"..Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. (link)

Time Machine makes it simple, & other backup methods are also available."


Good luck & happy trails! ☺︎

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 14, 2022 11:05 AM in response to Katy_Sharp12

Perhaps if you know the present version & step of macOS now installed

on your Mac's drive ~ that may help to determine what might be next.


From what I could tell from reference MacTracker &/or Everymac site

the model year would have shipped with version macOS Sierra 10.12.4.


(Could be a newer version macOS may need installed; before the last

supported version may be allowed to be installed. Happened before.)


MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

Introduced June 2017 - Discontinued July 2019

Model Identifier MacBookAir7,2 - Model NumberA1466

EMC3178 - Order Number(s) MQD32LL/A (128 GB storage), or MQD42LL/A (256 GB storage)


Further upgrades would be downloadable installers that then would

be run from within your Mac to do just that; before they'd be able to

run a Mac... they'd need to fully download parts and install them all.


See compatible versions and how to download (use Safari).


• How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


Could take a few hours, and several re-starts.

Plus additional downloads.


"..Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. (link)

Time Machine makes it simple, & other backup methods are also available."


Good luck & happy trails! ☺︎

I have a MacBook Air 13 inch 2017. It says above that I should be compatible for macOS Monterey however when I go to download the software update it reads "cannot be installed on macintosh HD". please help.

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