Why is Big Sur not available through the download links on Apples support page.

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Why is Big Sur not available through the download links on Apples support page.

On Apples support page "How to get old versions of macOS" (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683), all other installers are available except Big Sur. Before Monterey was released, Big Sur was not listed, because it was visible in the App Store. But since Monterey, Big Sur (and other older macOS versions are unlisted in the App Store, but still available. I believe I downloaded Big Sur shortly after Monterey came out through this page, but lately it keeps saying not available when it opens the Apps store.

Oddly, a lot of my clients that are running Big Sur are reporting that when they run Software Update, they get stuck on checking for updates. Even if they run software update from the commend line to get the latest Big Sur, it reports that it is unavailable.

Has Apple pulled Big Sur for some reason? They are a couple of critical security updates released last week that my client cannot get, and I don't want them going to Monterey yet as that is still a dumpster fire.

Posted on Feb 2, 2022 7:11 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 5, 2022 4:14 PM in response to Alan Richards

Thank you for your posts, Alan Richards.

Re: Spinning ball on System Preferences > Software update:

Do the computers with this situation have enough memory / storage space free (at least 50Gb) to allow the system to work smoothly and complete downloads ?

Re: "not available" error from the GET button.

Seems Apple may not download the complete version of macOS Big Sur upGRADE on a computer that only needs an upDATE. Possibly, it may be done as a restoration ?

Apple Support article: "If an error occurs while updating or installing macOS"

Scroll to: "Install in safe mode: (or even ... Install from macOS Recovery ?)

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT212526

Sorry I'm no tech. expert. We are all Apple users, like yourself in this community.

You might want to contact Apple for support and service:

There is a "Get Support" link to Apple at top right on this discussion page.

Or

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

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Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 2, 2022 5:14 PM in response to Alan Richards

Apple Support's article: "What's new in the updates for macOS Big Sur"

Says: macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 is recommended ..... use System Preference > Software Updates

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211896

In System Preferences > Software Update > seems we need to Click the "More Info." link

to reach the "Install Now" link (see arrow above) for the link (see below) to the most recent Big Sur update:

:All the best :-)

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Answer 3

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 3, 2022 12:10 AM in response to Alan Richards

Thank you for your reply, Alan Richards.

We are all Apple users, like yourself, in this community doing what we can to help troubleshoot.

Apple Support have a feedback page, if you want to share your experience: http://www.apple.com/feedback

Re: Why is Big Sur not available through the download links on Apples support page ?

Because the latest Big Sur update is currently available through System preferences > Software update,( as above).

( The linked article "What's new in the updates for macOS Big Sur" at the top of my post pointed me to this update method.)

Re: clients: when they run Software Update, they get stuck on checking for updates.

Seems it doesn't hang for all Big Sur users. Which version of Big Sur are they updating from ?

Wondering if they are able to reach / click the "More Info". link (as illustrated above) to reach the "Install now" button for 11.6.3 (I overlooked that "More info." link to the Big Sur update in Software Updates, the first time I looked for updates. Only saw Monterey. )

Re: Has Apple pulled Big Sur for some reason?

Just now, I went back into System Preferences, (after making the images inserted above this afternoon). and followed through with the Big Sur 11.6.3 update. Apple have installed the update smoothly on my MacBook Pro (Was running 11.6.2).

It takes a little patience, for several times the Black Apple Screen with loading bar appears, and disappears, before the installation completes, and the Log-in screen finally appears.

All the best to you, and your clients :-)

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Answer 4

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 3, 2022 12:45 AM in response to Alan Richards

PS: As the Big Sur update (2.55 GB plus Safari) 121.8 Mb is somehow not working for your clients ...

if it is any help ... the complete Big Sur 11.6.3 (All 12.6 GB) upgrade is available for download in the App Store (Requires macOS 10.9 or later).

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

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Answer 5

Feb 5, 2022 7:57 AM in response to brbo

Brbo,

Unfortunately, i get the same 'not available' error with your link as well. I also just tried the downloads page here:

https://support.apple.com/downloads/macos

But only Security updates for Catalina and earlier are showing up. In case the page was giving me dynamic content based on my OS, i tried it from different machines and browsers, changed my user agent using the develop menu in Safari, and even connect to a windows 10 machine and tried it from there. I got the same results; no security update for anything past Catalina.

It is strange, but I seem to remember that I did download Big Sur from my original link shortly after Monterey came out to create a USB installer, but it disappeared sometime after. (checking my work server, and indeed i did download it on the 7th of December).

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Answer 6

Feb 5, 2022 7:16 AM in response to seamus118

Seamus,

You won't find Big Sur or any other older macOS version by searching directly in the App Store because Monterey is released, and the App Store will only present you with the latest version. The other versions are still still there, but not searchable. This is why Apple has the support page above to allow people who need older versions to obtain them; they provide direct, deep links to the packages in the App Store without having to search. However for some reason, when i click to download Big Sur, it will open the App Store, and show me Big Sur with a get button, but when I click, i get this error.

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Answer 7

Feb 5, 2022 7:30 AM in response to brbo

Brbo,

I am only hearing from the users who were trying to download the 11.6.3 update for security reasons, and they were running various versions of Big Sur. There might more who can get the update, but of they would not had to call me for help. I could check around, but this is a very busy time for my client (many of them are working remotely to reduce density on campus).

The issue the ones that have reported to me is that when they click on software update in system preferences, the get the spinning gear and nothing more, one even left it for almost an hour.

Are you able to download Big Sur from the links in the page i linked to? I am able to Catalina and earlier versions, but not Big Sur. When the browser opens App Store, I see Big Sur, but the get button gets me this error. I have tried this on multiple machines, and multiple networks. Could it be a Canadian App Store issue?

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Answer 8

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 5, 2022 3:30 PM in response to seamus118

Sorry you aren't able to access the download, Seamus.

I found Big Sur 11.6.3 available in the App Store BEFORE I updated, through System Preferences.

Seems it does not show up in search of the App Store now, AFTER it is installed on my computer.

The link from the webpage still shows Big Sur in the App Store now.

Surprised you are not able to GET the download..

(Top of Pic below arrow shows the online link to Click. .. Pic below shows App Store / GET arrow points to version 11.6.3)

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Answer 9

brbo

Level 8

35,512 points

Feb 4, 2022 8:37 PM in response to seamus118

Hi seamus118,

Re: any idea why??

Because the link takes you to a webpage.

To see the GET button you need to click the View in the App Store link on that webpage

or

just go to the App Store (link in the dock) from your Mac,, and search for Big Sur.

Cheers :-)

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Answer 10

Feb 5, 2022 7:10 AM in response to seamus118

Seamus, make sure you are using a browser that understands App Store links like Safari or Microsoft Edge. Once you click one of those download links on that page, the system should ask you if you want to allow the link to open in App Store.

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Answer 11

Feb 6, 2022 4:57 AM in response to brbo

Thanks for your time guys. Further investigation revealed that my Mac Mini would actually run Monterey. I did get a number of errors after waiting 20 mins or more for a upgrade over the inet to complete, but eventually created a bootable USB which worked fine.

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Answer 12

Feb 2, 2022 9:28 PM in response to brbo

Did you not read my post? I said that Software Update was hanging for Big Sur users, and the command line version reports update not available.

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Answer 13

Feb 4, 2022 10:23 AM in response to brbo

When I try to use this page i dont see the GET button, any idea why??

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Answer 14

Feb 5, 2022 3:06 AM in response to brbo

Thanks brbo, but still not there. I only see Monterey. I have a late 2014 Mac Mini i wanted to upgrade, and it seems Big Sur is the latest OS I can have. Just cant seem to find a download.

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Answer 15

Feb 5, 2022 8:05 AM in response to Alan Richards

Correction: December 7th is when i uploaded it to my server, I downloaded it to my desktop on October 8th, so that Big Sur link probably never worked.

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Why is Big Sur not available through the download links on Apples support page.

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