marc smith6 wrote:
Have a 2014 macbook air running 10.10.5
Trying to update to El Cap so and there are no updates in the AppStore app.
Downloaded a 6.2GB installer from this link https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/download-old-os-x-3629363/#toc-3629363-6
When I try and update it opens a 7MB file and says it has updated successfully but obviously hasn't updated and remains on 10.10.5
Really not sure what is going on.
I downloaded the combo PKG installer for El Cap which was the .6 release and I had a warning saying I had to install the first version before I could install it.
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.
And the Apple Store is the ONLY PLACE on can download a genuine and full version of any version of macOS
macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements
macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements
macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements
macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements
macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements
Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.
If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested.
The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO
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