Downloading Catalina fails every time

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Level 1

6 points

Downloading Catalina fails every time

I am trying to upgrade a 2017 iMac to Catalina from Mojave. (Going to a later Mac OS will cause problems with some of the software I'm using.)

Every time I try to download the Catalina installer, I get an error message saying, "The network connection was lost." (see pic below.) I know it's not my connection that's dropping because I'm able to use the Internet just fine. I suspect it has something to do with Apple's servers. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there another way to get the Catalina installer?

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 10.14

Posted on Dec 5, 2023 2:49 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

25,986 points

Dec 5, 2023 3:07 PM in response to leecvo1

Yes, this has been happening on & off for some months. It's quite frustrating.

It may be better to manually download the Catalina installer following the instructions on this page -> How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

25,986 points

Dec 6, 2023 7:52 PM in response to leecvo1

leecvo1 wrote:

Yes, this is the page from which I have been attempting to download Catalina.

FWIW, there have been reports that this works only with Safari. If you are using another browser, try it with Safari.

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Answer 3

leecvo1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 9, 2023 10:03 AM in response to BDAqua

Annnd, it worked! Sophos was, indeed, the problem. I have now successfully loaded Catalina. And I don't plan to put Sophos back on the computer. I'll look for another anti-virus program that is less problematic. Thank you for your help, BDAqua!

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

251,409 points

Dec 5, 2023 4:28 PM in response to leecvo1

Are you running any VPN, Anti-Virus, or Cleaning apps?

Any different with this?

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.

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

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/

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Answer 5

leecvo1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 6, 2023 2:41 PM in response to BDAqua

Yes, I have Sophos running. I will turn that off to see if that helps.

Also, thank you for the referral to Go64!! I hadn't thought about that aspect of upgrading, and Go64 says there are several programs I'm using that will no longer run under Catalina. I'm not surprised, and I guess I'm going to have to get into the new decade at some point with this computer. The Go64 list is very helpful, showing me which apps will need to be upgraded once I'm able to install Catalina.

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Answer 6

leecvo1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 8, 2023 6:01 PM in response to BDAqua

After two days of fighting with Sophos to disable it, and then trying unsuccessfully to uninstall it with their uninstaller, I ended up manually removing every vestige of it from my computer. I'm now trying another download of Catalina. Fingers crossed.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

251,409 points

Dec 6, 2023 3:21 PM in response to leecvo1

Good to hear so far my friend, I'm pretty sure cutting Sophos off will help.

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Answer 8

leecvo1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 6, 2023 2:31 PM in response to MartinR

Yes, this is the page from which I have been attempting to download Catalina. The only link that works is the Catalina 10.15 link (which takes me to the App Store, and is the method that keeps crashing). The others just take you in a circle. The Software Update link doesn't work because it only give me Ventura or Sonoma as options, not Catalina.

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