How do I download the macOS big sur installer?

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Level 1

13 points

How do I download the macOS big sur installer?

Hello!

I've got a mid-2012 MacBook pro with OS X Mojave which runs perfectly fine (a little bit of beachballing on microsoft edge but that's alright) and I wanted to update it to Big Sur, but there's a problem, i've got all the neccesary requirement on my Mac, but when i access the Mac App Store and I press 'get' button, it redirects me to the software update option in settings and it tells me that there is no such version as macOS Big Sur.

Terminal method doesn't work, it just gives me the help command because it 'doesn't recognize the command'

Is there any solution?

(If you are going to mention that my mac is unsupported, according to chatGPT, it says it's supported, if that's a mistake, please let me know)

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on May 3, 2023 3:23 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

147,156 points

May 4, 2023 9:26 AM in response to oli201

I understand. Unfortunately the only way to obtain any macOS installer is to use a Mac capable of running that macOS version.

On your Mac, you will encounter the following roadblock:

That's the reason for my opening "disclaimer". Find a Mac capable of running Big Sur, with which you can download the app and subsequently do whatever you want with it.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

147,156 points

May 3, 2023 3:42 PM in response to oli201

Disregarding that Mac's eligibility to run Big Sur for the moment, obtain its installer here: How to download macOS - Apple Support. Scroll down to Big Sur 11.

(If you are going to mention that my mac is unsupported, according to chatGPT, it says it's supported, if that's a mistake, please let me know)

It is a mistake.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

126,533 points

May 3, 2023 4:36 PM in response to oli201

oli201 wrote:

(If you are going to mention that my mac is unsupported, according to chatGPT, it says it's supported, if that's a mistake, please let me know)

As John said, It is a mistake. See: macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers.

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

147,156 points

May 4, 2023 10:14 AM in response to oli201

The worst part is that i only have this mac :(

If you can (literally) get your hands on a newer one, you can use it to create a USB installer: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

"Download from a Mac that is compatible with the macOS you're downloading."

... but Big Sur still won't install on your particular model Mac.

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Answer 5

oli201 Author

Level 1

13 points

May 4, 2023 9:14 AM in response to John Galt

Hi John! Thanks for the reply, but the link that you provided in your reply takes me to the same place I went earlier (to the app store) and the App store method doesn't work for me, since i just want the installer application.

It would be really nice of you if you would try to help me find an .app or .dmg file for the Big Sur installer.

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Answer 6

oli201 Author

Level 1

13 points

May 4, 2023 9:50 AM in response to dialabrain

Well, thank you then, i think the only solution is downloading a patched big sur installation (modified installation to install on older macs) or buying a newer mac, i found one on CeX. I think that the safest way is getting a new mac, thank you :(

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