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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

Top-ranking reply

brbo

Level 8

35,674 points

Posted on Feb 5, 2022 4:14 PM

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.

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

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

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

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