"The recovery server could not be contacted." error when trying to download High Sierra in my MacBook Pro

So I was trying to download macOS High Sierra from macOS Ventura, but I came up with a pop-up message saying, "The recovery server could not be contacted." I just want my favorite operating system, macOS Catalina.


What does this mean? I have the synchronized date and time, a connected Wi-Fi network, all the Apple servers are fine, and any other stuff like that.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 7:39 AM

7 replies

Oct 29, 2023 10:06 PM in response to Community User

Is that MBA capable of running High Sierra? & why High Sierra if you want Catalina?


How are uoy trying to download them or it?


macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications


General Requirements

  • OS X 10.8 or later
  • 2GB of memory
  • 14.3GB of available storage to perform upgrade*
  • 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, choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:

  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)


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)


Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12


macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12

Don't use FireFox for these links…


macOS Catalina - 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 and install macOS - Apple Support


https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?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/


Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


Oct 30, 2023 2:42 PM in response to BDAqua

I think the MBA is capable of running High Sierra because I have a 2017 MacBook Pro. Why High Sierra if I want Catalina, you say? I first downloaded macOS High Sierra when I first got my MacBook Pro back in around 2018. I’m trying to download High Sierra from the App Store on my Mac.

Oct 30, 2023 3:45 PM in response to BDAqua

Can you just tell me the options to fix the message: “The recovery server could not be contacted.”?


Date and time: Synchronized

Wi-Fi network: Connected

Apple servers: All green

"The recovery server could not be contacted." error when trying to download High Sierra in my MacBook Pro

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