Hi,
Less than 2 months ago, El Capitan was available as a free upgrade. Today, when I'm ready to upgrade - it is no longer available on the App Store. What is going on? Where can I find it?
The App Store has only Sierra, but it is not compatible with Snow Leopard, so I cannot upgrade to that either.
Thank you.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Serial# W8******X85
Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support
Scroll down to How to get El Capitan
The link in the first bullet point will take to you to the App Store download.
No. Now that macOS Sierra has been released, OS X El Capitan was removed and Sierra added to the Mac App Store.
You can, however, download OS X El Capitan from the App Store / Purchases tab if you downloaded it in the past using your AppleID. If you never downloaded it with your AppleID, you might be able to go into a local Apple Store and have them install it for you.
Thank you! Thank you!
You're welcome. 🙂
Unless you perform your upgrade between major version releases (1 year), or download the installer in that timeframe — you cannot upgrade to the last major version, as it will no longer be available. Apple only keeps the current major version available in the App Store.
This page says (once you've clicked a disclosure icon):
'Upgrading from OS X Snow Leopard
If you’re running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and your Mac supports macOS Sierra, you will need to upgrade to El Capitan first. Click here for instructions.'
Kurt's post above tells you how to get to the El Capitan download (which is more than the page I link to does), but it's also a question of whether your Mac can handle it:
These Mac models are compatible with macOS Sierra:
VikingOSX wrote:
Unless you perform your upgrade between major version releases (1 year), or download the installer in that timeframe — you cannot upgrade to the last major version, as it will no longer be available. Apple only keeps the current major version available in the App Store.
The download is available, but it's pretty well hidden. To find it you have have to go to the appropriate Help page and click a disclosure icon. The link is
https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12
I haven't checked that the download will work in the UK.
Thanks for replying. Yes, my mac can handle the El Capitan. I would have to upgrade to EC before I even try to upgrade to Sierra.
Kurt has solved my problem and now I have a link to the App Store for the free upgrade. (Free for now 🙂).
To Kurt Lang,
I just wanted to let you know that I was able to download and upgrade to El Capitan successfully!!! No more Snow Leopard, LOL!!
Roger Wilmut1 thanks for your dogged sleuthing to prove apple support are talking a load of Taurus. Whilst I am having a mni
Excellent. 🙂
Can I still upgrade to El Capitan for free? It says not available on the App Store!
