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My iMac is still on ElCapitan. Why can't I upgrade my MacOS? There are no updates available. What do I need to do to be able to upgrade? Do I need to add memory? How do I do that?

My iMac is still on ElCapitan. Why can't I upgrade my MacOS? There are no updates available. What do I need to do to be able to upgrade? Do I need to add memory? How do I do that?

iMac 21.5″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Feb 25, 2022 8:01 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 26, 2022 1:18 AM

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


If no ” Get Button “  Replace the https in the page's address to macappstore. Credit to Contributor @Niel


Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade


macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur  / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.


If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested. 


The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO


Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020


Tips Monterey Upgrade  Released Oct 25, 2021


Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 26, 2022 1:18 AM in response to galenarich

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


If no ” Get Button “  Replace the https in the page's address to macappstore. Credit to Contributor @Niel


Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade


macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur  / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.


If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested. 


The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO


Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020


Tips Monterey Upgrade  Released Oct 25, 2021


Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.

Feb 25, 2022 8:08 PM in response to galenarich

Back up your data, check your applications for compatibility, and depending on which iMac model you have, click on High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey. If you get a Mac App Store preview page, change the https at the beginning of its address to macappstore.


Catalina and newer won't run 32-bit software; download and use Go64 to scan for it. To look up other programs, click here.


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My iMac is still on ElCapitan. Why can't I upgrade my MacOS? There are no updates available. What do I need to do to be able to upgrade? Do I need to add memory? How do I do that?

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