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Can't download apps from App Store on Macbook Air

Everything is up to date on my laptop. I'm on the Safari 11.1.2 for OS X El Capitan. For example, I'm trying to download Microsoft Word for college and when I press "Install", a message comes up saying "We couldn't complete your purchase. (null) can’t be installed on “Untitled” because OS X version 10.14 or later is required." ??? Everything is updated so I don't understand why I can't download anything from the App Store.

Thanks, Chloe

MacBook

Posted on Feb 8, 2021 1:34 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 8, 2021 1:44 AM

You are running Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11.6, this operating system is over 5 years old.

Things do move on, Apples latest OS is macOS Big Sur 11.0, that is 5 OS's after El Capitan.

Developers of apps move on and leave old OS's behind so do not provide their apps

with backwards compatibility.


The only way forward is to upgrade the OS on your mac if you can.


The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are running.


Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.


Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.

Click on the  top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.


For older OS’s, macOS Sierra 10.12, macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15.


Open Safari and click on this link, 


How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support


Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.


Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.


Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.


Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.


If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.


If you want to or are able to install Big Sur, open Safari and click on the link below.

How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 8, 2021 1:44 AM in response to croman02

You are running Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11.6, this operating system is over 5 years old.

Things do move on, Apples latest OS is macOS Big Sur 11.0, that is 5 OS's after El Capitan.

Developers of apps move on and leave old OS's behind so do not provide their apps

with backwards compatibility.


The only way forward is to upgrade the OS on your mac if you can.


The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are running.


Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.


Which OS you can upgrade to will be governed by which model and year your mac is.

Click on the  top left of your screen click on About This Mac to find out the year of your mac.


For older OS’s, macOS Sierra 10.12, macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15.


Open Safari and click on this link, 


How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support


Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.


Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.


Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.


Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.


If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.


If you want to or are able to install Big Sur, open Safari and click on the link below.

How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.


Can't download apps from App Store on Macbook Air

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