Can you upgrade the Mac OS from Mavericks on an iMac bought in 2014? How far can you upgrade it? and how do you do it? or do I need to buy a new computer to get a new OS? Thanks for your help. Gareth
iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021, 2 ports)
macOS Catalina is compatible with these computers - Apple Support (CA)
macOS Catalina is compatible with these computers - Apple Support (CA)
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.
Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
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
OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications
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 require an update or upGrades to 64 Bit Version
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.
Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
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
OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications
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 require an update or upGrades to 64 Bit Version
Thanks Phillips. I have turned that computer off now so I will check it tomorrow. I had a look at the link you sent and it wasn’t apparent how you know which OSs you can install on which Macs. It just seemed to be a list of OSs with arrows pointing in various directions. I didn’t understand it at all but I will check my Mac’s specs tomorrow, and try again. Thanks again.
User wrote " iMac bought in 2014 " That specific information is not enough to give you specific suggestions as to which version of macOS the computer Qualifies to run.
Having bought it in 2014 but the Age of the Computer could be 2013, 2012 , 201, 2010, 2009 etc.
I think you may better understand the dilemma this put my suggestions into - pure guess work and that I am not prepared to Offer
The User ) you ) will need to determine the Actually Age of Said Computer by the method provided and then check each version of OS X or macOS to see just how far up the ladder this computer will Qualify to Run.
Thanks Phillips, I've checked the spec and it's Processor 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, Memory 8GB, 1600 MHz, DDR3. Hopefully that will be enough information. I will check your links again and let you know how I get on. Thanks again, Gareth.
Ok, I see what’s going on now. The list in your reply is links to the requirements and the link I was clicking on is the link to where you go to install it. I was being an idiot!
It seems that I will be Ok to upgrade to High Sierra but not Mojave as you require (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later). Would that sound about right?
Welcome 🇨🇦
The Specs can pertain to may Apple Computers but the Age of the computer will determine what version of OS X / macOS it Qualifies to run
The only information on age it gives is “late 2013” it's not very specific!
Thanks Phillips, that sounds right. I'll give that a go tomorrow and let you know how it goes. It should work, I think! Thanks again, Gareth.
Can You Upgrade OS From Mavericks?
