Getting this item is temporarily unavailable

Most likely this is due to the installer using an expired certificate. Unfortunately Apple loves their cryptic and misleading error messages. You will need to change the system date to a date in 2017 (perhaps even earlier depending on the installer you are using).

If you can still boot this laptop normally or in Safe Mode, then change the system date using the "Date & Time" System Preferences making sure to disable any network time syncing until after the macOS install.

If the laptop is unable to boot into macOS or Safe Mode, then you can change the date while booted to the installer. While booted to the installer launch the Terminal app from the Utilities menu (on the menubar). Use the following command to set the date & time to Jan. 2, 2017 @ 11:33am (adjust the year if necessary):

date  -u  0102113317

If there are no errors, then quit the Terminal app and select the "Reinstall macOS" option.

What is the exact model of this MBAir? What OS is currently installed and what is the highest OS ever installed on this laptop?

Is this laptop still able to boot normally into macOS or Safe Mode?

If this laptop is unable to boot normally or into Safe Mode, do you have any other Macs or have access to other Macs? If so, what are their exact models?

If this laptop is still able to boot normally or into Safe Mode and it can support a later version of macOS, then I highly recommend creating a bootable macOS USB installer while you still can. If this laptop supports macOS 10.11+ and you have access to another compatible Qualifying Mac, then it would be much easier to create & use a later macOS USB installer.

FYI, here is an article which shows which versions of macOS are compatible with various Apple hardware:

https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility

Feel free to post the exact model of this laptop so we can tell you which versions of macOS are compatible if you are unsure.

Hey there Crfaulk,

To clarify, are you trying to reinstall macOS on your MacBook Air? If so, are there are errors appearing, try the other installation options listed below:

Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

* On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you might be offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

* On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Option-Command-R during startup, you might be offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

* If you just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered an earlier compatible version of macOS.

* If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you might be offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

* Use Software Update or the App Store 

* Use a bootable installer

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

If you're trying to erase and reinstall macOS, continue here instead: Erase and reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Take care!

Crfaulk wrote:

Well it's a model A1370 and I cleared the OS.

It appears you have either a 2010 or 2011 MBAir 11" model. This laptop should be able to run up to macOS 10.13 High Sierra, however, if this laptop never had the OS upgraded past the original factory installed OS, then you may need to first install macOS 10.11 before being able to go to 10.13.

And can't install OS from a thumb drive because it's not an intell chip.

What is this about "it's not an intel chip"? Do you mean the only other Mac you have access to is an M1/M2 Apple Silicon Mac so you are unable to create a bootable macOS USB installer?

Did you try to create a bootable macOS USB installer? If so what OS?

When running the Lion installer, how are you accessing it? Using Command + R for Recovery Mode? Instead try using Command + Option + R to access Recovery Mode as this should eliminate the need to authenticate with an AppleID and should prevent the OS installation from being associated with your AppleID which is especially important when selling a laptop (or giving it away). Maybe this authentication with the AppleID is why you are getting the "temporarily unavailable" error message.

Crfaulk wrote:

Ok with command +option + r It gives me the option to install high sierra but when it starts gives the error. Installation of macOS could not continue. Install requires downloading important content. That content can't be downloaded at this time. Try again later.

Make sure the date & time are set to the current date & time...March 10, 2023 @ 13:00 (aka 1:00pm) for example. You may be encountering the same certificate issue again, but this time the date & time may be too early to allow for the certificate.

date  -u  0310130023

I did make a OS X Lion USB boot drive but see no way of having this MacBook Air boot from it.

How did you do this? I'm not aware of any method to do this using the current Lion installer available from Apple today.

Since this MBAir is able to access the online High Sierra installer, you should focus on that as it should be easier to use than trying to get Lion installed as I have seen lots of posts on these forums with people having issues installing Lion. Plus, you are more likely to be able to access a compatible Mac for creating a bootable macOS 10.13 High Sierra USB installer. A compatible qualifying Mac for creating a bootable macOS 10.13 USB installer is generally one from Late 2009 to 2018, but you can confirm which models are compatible with various versions of macOS by using this article as a guide:

https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility

Crfaulk wrote:

I also couldn't get past the end user license agreement. Wouldn't let me click on accept. Had to back up and not use apple ID sign on . Just skipped .

This is a known issue on these forums...I have no idea if Apple is even aware of the issue as it has been occurring for several months now. It is annoying how poor of testing Apple is doing with their systems these days. I had a similar issue involving the AppleID as I was trying to migrate to a new Mac...took me over four hours to deal with it although the data transfer itself only took about 30 minutes. I'm still dealing with AppleID issues with the default macOS apps....third party apps are all working great.

Glad you were able to get it working again. Thanks for following up.

Hg