I want to upgrade my iMac OS. Safari and possibly other apps appear to be outdated in my current system, Sierra 10.12.6. But I can't seem to find any advice about which of the many OS's I should upgrade to. Which makes the most sense for me?
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.12
OK, great here's your options...
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications
https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12
macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.8 or later
2GB of memory
12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:
MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac Pro (2017)
Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12
MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.9 or later
4GB of memory
12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:
MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac Pro (2017)
Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
How to download macOS - Apple Support
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12
How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support
And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...
https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.9 or later
4GB of memory
35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra or later*
Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Big Sur:
MacBook (2015 or later)
MacBook Air (2013 or later)
MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)
Mac mini (2014 or later)
iMac (2014 or later)
iMac Pro (2017 or later)
Mac Pro (2013 or later)
Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12
And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...
https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
We need to know which exact Mac you have... AppleLogo>About this Mac...
Yes, complete sense my friend, but you're talking to a Caveman here, I run the oldest OS I can, you mostly just need to be careful of scams, then, Mostly you just need a more modern Browser than Safari on Mojave, or High Sierra like Firefox or Brave.
So I'd say 10.13.6 first choice, 10.14.6 2nd choice.
For modern Security on either, Might try this, it's Chrome Browser without google & without Ads...
If you upgrade to the latest OS that your computer can support (see helpful message above) you will get updated security protections, which alone make it worthwhile to upgrade. I doubt your daily use will change because of added features. It will look and act pretty much the same. Every OS has more capability than any one person needs.
Good points, Steve glad to get your input on it also, but to add...
Caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...
If you get a corrupted message...
Naw, not damaged, it's just that you have an old copy already in Applications, there are 2 cures...
If you’re short of bandwidth or data… Disconnect from the Internet & set the Date back to 2014, then you can run the Install MacsOS Mohave App in Applications, so expired Certificates are not expired.
Or... trash the Install MacsOS Mojave.app in Applications, empty trash & restart, then a new copy of a more recent version can be downloaded..
Thank you BDAqua -- Very helpful. But how do I know which OS version is best for me? I don't do any high end design or gaming or video editing or networking or social media. So I don't want to get way more capacity than I need. The need to upgrade has arisen because some high security web sites, such as banking, are telling me that my Safari is outdated. Make sense?
It looked like Mojave is the way to go, but when I try to download it from the App Store, I get this message: "This copy of the install macOS Mojave application is damaged, and can't be used to install macOS." Really? Apple posts an unusable OS installer on their App Store? What can I do? (Thanks again for your help!)
3757C Said:
"To which MacOS should I upgrade? Currently Sierra 10.12.6. I want to upgrade my iMac OS [...]It looked like Mojave is the way to go, but when I try to download it from the App Store, I get this message: 'This copy of the install macOS Mojave application is damaged, and can't be used to install macOS.' Really? Apple posts an unusable OS installer on their App Store? What can I do? (Thanks again for your help!)"
-------
Seems to be a Corrupt Download:
Seems the download is corrupt. So, for a more reliable connection, use Ethernet, connecting your Mac directly into your router. If you have no ethernet port, then this may be the adapter to use: Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple
3757C Said:
"To which MacOS should I upgrade? Currently Sierra 10.12.6.: Don't think this is the problem. Already have an ethernet connection between Mac and router."
-------
Troubleshooting the Router:
A. Reset your Router:
Power your router off of 30 seconds but unplugging it, and the plug it back in. Try this all once more.
B. Plug Other Items In:
What happens when you plug other items into the same port? Do you get the same issue: downloading errors?
Thanks again to BDAqua -- As you suggested, I found and trashed previous macOS Mojave and other versions files from my Applications folder (not sure why none ever got installed), restarted, then downloaded and installed Mojave without problem. And that seems to have taken care of my Safari glitches. So I think I'm good to go. Really appreciate your sticking with me on this.
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
Don't think this is the problem. Already have an ethernet connection between Mac and router.
Great work, good to hear, take care my friend! :)
To which MacOS should I upgrade? Currently Sierra 10.12.6.
