I have had to replace the SSD on my 2011 iMac but I cannot install High Sierra from the Apple server.
I have tried to download it onto my M1 Mac Mini (to load it onto a bootable USB) but it won't let me, thinking I am trying to install it for that machine.
I'm pulling my hair out trying to find where I can get it from!!
Earlier Mac models
You will need a functional Mac that can run High Sierra in order to download it and build yourself a bootable installer from that High Sierra build.
See How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
and Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Generally you need a Mac from Late-2009 to 2018 in order to create a bootable macOS 10.13 USB installer using the instructions @VikingOSX provided.
Or you can create a bootable macOS 10.11 USB installer which generally requires a Mac from 2007 to 2015.
You can use the information in the following article to determine & confirm which Macs are compatible with various versions of macOS in order to find another compatible Mac since the model years I listed are just generalities and there may be some exceptions. The compatible Mac can currently be running any version of macOS 10.6+.
I don't disagree. Apple is focused on new products, not providing support for older products.
Unfortunately it seems the online recovery mode servers have been disabled by Apple since we have been seeing lots of reports here on these forums for about a month now. Since Apple made the recovery mode option the main way of reinstalling macOS on many Macs, it is very disappointing to see. Especially when Apple does not provide a simple method of creating a bootable USB installer using any computer and any OS (it is not that hard Apple).
You can try contacting Apple support, but I don't believe they even know about the issue with the online recovery mode servers and will likely just blame the user for the problem.
You can provide Apple with product feedback here (Apple won't respond, and it probably won't do much good):
You can also contact Apple corporate to let them know about the issue with the online recovery mode servers and how that is the only viable option they provided you for this particular laptop for reinstalling macOS since Apple decided to forego restoration DVDs and don't provide easy to access bootable installer images which can be utilized by any computer or OS for creating bootable macOS USB installers since most people don't have access to another compatible Mac.
You will need to boot from its original, grey, System Install DVD or a retail, white, Mac OS X Snow Leopard DVD.
The former must accompany Macs that included them from cradle to grave. The latter can be purchased from a reputable aftermarket source. Apple no longer sells either one.
If you are unable to create a "bootable USB" installer using a compatible Mac, no other practicable options exist.
But I haven't got access to a functional Mac that can run High Sierra. The only Mac I have that is capable of running High Sierra is currently effectively a big paper weight. It is ridiculous that I have paid good money for an M1 Mac mini and I am not even allowed to download a copy of the software needed to get another Mac up and running!
But I haven't got access to a functional Mac that can run High Sierra. The only Mac I have that is capable of running High Sierra is currently effectively a big paper weight. It is ridiculous that I have paid good money for an M1 Mac mini and I am not even allowed to download a copy of the software needed to get another Mac up and running!
I Need a full download of High Sierra for my 2011 iMac!!
