hi People,
Searching the Mac site, all I can find are "updates" for El Capitan, but no download for the full OS.
I have Yosemite and I want to update to El Capitan (I don't want Sierra).
thanks for any advice.
iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)
Only on Macs that cannot run Sierra you are still able to download EC. It's not possible on more recent models (unless you already 'purchased' EC before).
You can still get it from the App Store using this link here
That is an update which requires the basic EC is already installed.
Here are the requirements for Sierra:
How to get macOS Sierra - Apple Support
And, IF your Mac does NOT meet the requirements, check the section under "Learn more" which contains a special link to get El Capitan - but that will only work if yours does not meet the requirements for Sierra.
tried the link but says I can't install it on my computer (2011 iMac)
so basically, it looks like Apple is forcing me to upgrade to Sierra, whether I want it or not...
I knew it would not work unless yours does not meet the requirements for Sierra.
For the past 2 - 3 OS versions, Apple has withdrawn the "old" version as soon as the new one was publicly available. So, you would have had to download El Capitan before it was removed. Make yourself a note to do that - you do not need to install it; just download the complete OS installer and park it in a safe place.
so then... that begs the question, if Apple is not allowing users to upgrade to anything but Sierra, is there a reputable place I can download El Capitan from - outside of Apple's site if necessary?
There wouldn't be any place that is "reputable" - why? Because the only place to obtain it legally is the app store. Anyone else offering it is offering a pirated copy because the license is tied to the Apple ID used to obtain it and is not transferable. That makes it illegal to offer it to anyone else.
Inscapes wrote:
so basically, it looks like Apple is forcing me to upgrade to Sierra, whether I want it or not...
No, Apple isn't forcing you to upgrade at all. If you wish to upgrade, your only option is macOS Sierra.
I just followed the link above to the app store and its letting me download it, I need to do a fresh install so will be using it to create a bootable USB as my MBP is too old for Sierra.
thanks, but you must have an older machine / OS that needs EC as an intermediary upgrade. I have a 2011 iMac running Yosemite, so I don't qualify to download El Capitan.
Im on a 2009 MBP but its already running El Cap, I'm installing a new SSD so doing a fresh install from boot
Where can I download El Capitan?
