Upgrading Safari to the latest version - how do I do this?

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Upgrading Safari to the latest version - how do I do this?

I have an iMac that is 9 or 10 years old. I am running macOS Catalina 10.15.7, which, according to Software Update, is the latest version of Catalina.

However, I am now getting static from some web sites (notably my bank and the Social Security Administration) that I must use the latest version of Safari in order to access their sites. This is not a matter of inconvenience - I must be able to use the online facilities as I live in a foreign country and I cannot visit branches of my bank nor can I visit US Embassies because I'm not a US citizen any longer.

Evidently, I can't update Safari independently of macOS. OK, the Tech Gods have spoken, etc.

The question now is: Do I have to buy a new computer to get macOS Sonoma (or whatever the most recent edition is, I hate the whimsical names) and concomitantly the latest version of Safari?

If not, how do I update macOS to the most recent edition?

Posted on Jul 30, 2024 7:20 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Servant of Cats

Level 8

37,475 points

Jul 30, 2024 9:34 PM in response to Kansai Yankee

Kansai Yankee wrote:

The question now is: Do I have to buy a new computer to get macOS Sonoma (or whatever the most recent edition is, I hate the whimsical names) and concomitantly the latest version of Safari?

If you want to be able to run the latest version of macOS, the answer is Yes. (Later this year, Sequoia will replace Sonoma as the current version, so you might want a machine compatible with both.)

macOS Sonoma is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

macOS Sequoia Preview - Apple

The alternative is to live with whatever version of macOS your machine can run – and install a third party browser.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

216,196 points

Jul 31, 2024 11:11 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Have you tried using the App Store to download and install Catalina? That version of Safari may still be too old for some of the newer security web features. Firefox or Brave (Chrome based with non of the Google add ons) are excellent alternatives and are very secure. I wouldn't use Google Chrome as it mines your web browsing data and sells it to other websites. And Chrome is a very resource hog and is known to degrade system performance.

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Answer 3

Jul 30, 2024 9:23 PM in response to Kansai Yankee

You say that your iMac is 9 or 10 years old. I'm guessing that means its hardware model year is somewhere in the range of 2013 – 2015.

If its hardware model year is Early or Late 2013, Catalina is the end of the line.

If its hardware model year is Mid 2014 through Mid 2015, Big Sur is the end of the line.

If its hardware model year is Late 2015, Monterey is the end of the line.

The current version of Firefox will run on any of these operating systems.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

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Answer 4

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

743,003 points

Jul 30, 2024 7:28 PM in response to Kansai Yankee

Back up your data, check the application compatibility table, click here, and then on the download link for a newer OS; depending on your iMac's model year, its maximum one is Big Sur or Monterey. Alternatively, use a different web browser as needed.

(254424)

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Jul 31, 2024 11:55 AM in response to Kansai Yankee

I know this is NOT what you want to do, however if have you considered replacing the old girl? The longer you keep it the more difficult it will be to have apps (both third party and native (like Safari) be in-compatible. You could get a new Mac mini which would be orders of magnitude faster than your current 2013 iMac for less than $1500 including a new 27" Samsung display. Also, did you know Apple offers 12 month no-interest financing which eases the financial pain? Just some thoughts in-case you hadn't considered it.

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Answer 6

Jul 30, 2024 9:24 PM in response to Niel

I can't install anything but Catalina. I have Automatic Update turned on, so I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to just download a new OS from the App Store.

I guess I'll have to bail and use Chrome. I can only hope that their latest version is acceptable!

Thanks for your trouble, though.

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Answer 7

Jul 30, 2024 9:32 PM in response to Servant of Cats

It's an Early 2013, and that lines up with what I've found on Software Update.

OMG! I remember some of the folks at my last job using Firefox, but I've never used it myself. I have Chrome installed, I think I'll try that first.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I may just bust open the old piggy bank and spring for a shiny new iMac!

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Answer 8

Jul 31, 2024 4:09 PM in response to rkaufmann87

My wife and I discussed replacing the iMac with a new one, and we recalled the mid-1990s when a 6-month-old computer was hopelessly obsolete. We have come to the conclusion that it is indeed time to put our iMac out to pasture. Time, tide, and internet security wait for no man!

We were reluctant to do this, not because of the cost, but because the iMac serves only the most basic functions (aside from the vital one mentioned in my original post) in our little household. Right beside it sits a rip-snorting hand-built PC and 4K HDR monitor that is used exclusively for gaming and (in cold weather) serves as an auxiliary heater for our living room. I'm too embarrassed to reveal the actual cost of its construction, but let's just say that I could buy six new iMacs with the money I spent on that thing. Yes, it's true - I am one of the Accursed, a Gamer! Pray for me!

It was very kind of you to take the time to lay out the options for getting a new iMac!

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Answer 9

Jul 31, 2024 4:32 PM in response to Old Toad

I tried Chrome and found that it won't work any better than Safari at this point. (I've heard about Chrome becoming the new Internet Explorer and the data diddling, but I keep it as a backup.) I tried upgrading to a newer version but it tells me that the newer version isn't compatible with my OS. C'est la vie!

Now I'm contemplating Firefox as the backup after we buy a new iMac. Firefox is free, but I've reached the stage in my life where learning new stuff is a real chore! It sounds like a good strategy, though, so I guess I'll have to dust off the old circuits and defragment my brain!

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Answer 10

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Jul 31, 2024 4:49 PM in response to Kansai Yankee

Your welcome and good luck.

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Upgrading Safari to the latest version - how do I do this?

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