Upgrading Mac Mini without Apple ID

No, this is not right (unfortunately). And having upgraded does not make the new OS your "native" OS. Having to return the computer to its original OS was started by Apple when they switched to the download only method. And it is spelled out in the licensing agreement. The problem is that whatever you download from the app store is tied to the Apple ID used to get it. It is also specifically not transferable. Unless you follow the steps to erase and reinstall the original OS (which is the only method to disassociate your Apple ID with the computer), the recipient will never be able to update any apps or reinstall the OS. Just to prove the point, here is a link to the licensing agreement:

https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/macOS1013.pdf

(See section 3 B - here is an excerpt):

B. If you obtained your license to the Apple Software from the Mac App Store or through an automatic

download, it is not transferable. If you sell your Apple-branded hardware to a third party, you must

remove the Apple Software from the Apple-branded hardware before doing so, and you may restore your

system to the version of the Apple operating system software that originally came with your Apple

hardware (the “Original Apple OS”) and permanently transfer the Original Apple OS together with your

Apple hardware, provided that: ℹ the transfer must include all of the Original Apple OS, including all its

component parts and its license; (ii) you do not retain any copies of the Original Apple OS, full or partial,

including copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (iii) the party receiving the Original

Apple OS reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of the Original Apple OS license

It's not really a big hassle, especially now that you know how to do these things. So, when you're ready to sell, simply boot into internet recovery, wipe and reinstall.

And thanks for the compliment....

As I said before the posts got removed: You need an Apple ID to upgrade the OS version. and it will be tied to that Apple ID.

There is no way to do it without an Apple ID. If you want to upgrade it, you'll need an Apple ID.

You can wipe it again later when you sell it to remove the Apple ID and leave it ready for the next owner to use their own Apple ID with it.

The Apple ID you create can be used on Windows with iTunes if you want or to access the iCloud website from pretty much any other OS you want.

The last OS to be offered on disc, was 10.6 Snow Leopard.

10.7 Lion was available on USB thumbdrive, but those can be expensive.

No current OS version is available on disc. Only digital download from the Mac App Store.

You'll find all the answers in this article (basically, yes, you boot from internet recovery, wipe the drive using Disk Utility and when finished, let it reinstall the original OS). The reason for this is: anything downloaded from the app store is tied to your Apple ID and the license is not transferable. The new owner can update/upgrade using his own Apple ID.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065

Note the key combos here to get to internet recovery:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Now, wasn't that easy......... 😉

PS: Note section #6 in the article instruction that covers part of your concern:

Erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS

The best way to restore your Mac to factory settings is to erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS.

"After macOS installation is complete, the Mac restarts to a Welcome screen and asks you to choose

a country or region. IF you want to leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup

of your system. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the

Mac, setup assistant will guide them through the setup process."

..also to be found (as companion article to macOS Recovery ) here..

• How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

It doesn't matter if you enter your ID to simply upgrade and use it yourself. You're going to delete your account [i.e. wipe your hard drive] before selling it (I hope!) whenever that day comes.

I would enter the ID, upgrade up. Enjoy the machine.

Then, when you decide sell, DO follow the instructions above to make sure it is ready to sell, and you don't accidentally leave personal accounts/info/files on the system.

They would be illegal. Mac OS downloads are not transferable and tied to the Apple ID used to obtain them. The only legal source for any Mac OS (lion and newer) is Apple (and its' app store). And, they may or may not work with updates since they were created with the sellers' Apple ID.

What is the problem with creating an Apple ID? It will fade away if you don't use it.

The page you linked to is only for updates - not upgrades (which is what a new OS version is). If you had, say, 10.13.1 installed and wanted to go to 10.13.4, you'd go to that page.

If you want to go to a new OS, you use the app store app - it is in your Applications folder. If you open that,do you not see this on the right side of the page:

Click on High Sierra (make sure you're signed in to your Apple ID) and you should be good to go since the Mini is within the requirements for High Sierra.

Hi,

You need to read this article: Changing ownership of a used Mac | Communities

An easy answer may not be detailed in circumstantial evidence to be correct.

• What to do before you sell or give away your Mac - Apple Support

Because we cannot say IF anything was done head of original owner's disposal

of this unit, to ready it for another happenstance recycle/reuser of the hardware.

So Yes is an easy answer when or if certain specific conditions have been met

or their probable consequences (if detrimental) have been ruled out. As it's an

older used machine, there is a chance that an Apple authorized service provider

could be able to install the original OS X; in order to set up and use it, usually

does require an Apple ID.

All software & security updates are downloads.

..To get & install them, requires an Apple ID..

forjonny wrote:

Well, why do I have to give up my credit card info before I confirm who I am?

Basically, for security reason. Your Credit Card info is unique to you, this is a way of verifying your identity.

Once tied to your Apple ID— seamless you can download free apps from the App Store, iTunes as well as for paid apps. Apple Pay, Wallet, Banking Apps etc etc. To take advantage of all the macOS/iOS environment have to offer it is a no brainer.

However there is an alternative approach, with limitations:

Create or use your Apple ID without a payment method - Apple Support

forjonny wrote:

I ran into some people on Ebay that has High Sierra on USB stick. R U saying these won't work?

They'll be tied to an Apple ID you won't be able to do anything with.

Not to mention the question had adequate response before you replied.

However the edits occurred due to a lack of common courtesy and a

breech of ASC policy (name-calling & hateful reply to me) without case.

Links back from Apple Support article were used to bring up exact &

adequately accurate reply to initial question. Sad to see such ignored.

Thought maybe you saw first wreck he made, the hosts cleaned it up.

Cleaned-up copy exists in Lounge for your perusal & its not a full copy.

Thank you for repeating the correct answer again but wish you hadn't.

..Good luck & happy trails..! 🙂