My 2010 iMac (model 11,2) is still running OS x 10.6.8. (I think that's Snow Leopard). I'd like to upgrade it to one of the newer OS versions. I've looked at the Apple Support page about how to upgrade but am confused about whether this machine can handle anything beyond Lion. If it can, do I have to install Lion and then the whole series of new OS versions to get to Sierra?
iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Upgrading to El Capitan
You can upgrade to El Capitan from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. El Capitan can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE.
To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
Macs that can be upgraded to OS X El Capitan
1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities' folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right. Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
To upgrade beyond El Capitan see How to download macOS High Sierra.
Upgrading to El Capitan
You can upgrade to El Capitan from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. El Capitan can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE.
To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
Macs that can be upgraded to OS X El Capitan
1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities' folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right. Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
To upgrade beyond El Capitan see How to download macOS High Sierra.
Back up your data, check your applications for compatibility, and download El Capitan from the Mac App Store.
If you haven't previously used your Apple ID with the iTunes Store or your payment information needs to be updated, you'll need to sign in from another computer or device.
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Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.
El Capitan 10.11 Compatibility information
macOS Sierra 10.12: Compatible Apps
Also check to make sure there is a compatible driver for your printer.
Do a backup before installing, preferable 2 backups on 2 different drives.
Forgot to ask: can I go directly from Snow Leopard to Sierra, or do I have to do El Capitan first, to get into that series of versions? As always, thanks for your help in explaining these mysteries to me 🙂
Thanks, Kappy, that's what I needed to know.
You need to download El Capitan or another intermediate version.
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Thanks for the clarification - I thought that was the case but was hoping to save myself some aggravation
Can my 2010 iMac 11,2 model be upgraded to the newer OS?
