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Trouble creating a bootable installer but can’t download new OS X on 2011 iMac

Trying to erase and start over on Mac

desktop from 2011. I erased the drive and now all i get when i try to re download system is “a required download is missing” i can’t figure out how to create a bootable installer from my new Mac either. I’m lost.

iMac 27″, OS X 10.11

Posted on May 31, 2021 10:08 AM

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Posted on May 31, 2021 10:20 AM

Bootable installers are based on full installers, and full installers will not download on Mac hardware that is not supported for installation. Your 2011 iMac cannot upgrade beyond High Sierra 10.13.6, so any effort to download Mojave or later is doomed.


Using Safari only, visit How to get old versions of macOS and check the hardware requirements. You will need a mid-2012 iMac if you need something newer than High Sierra.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 31, 2021 10:20 AM in response to HD9110

Bootable installers are based on full installers, and full installers will not download on Mac hardware that is not supported for installation. Your 2011 iMac cannot upgrade beyond High Sierra 10.13.6, so any effort to download Mojave or later is doomed.


Using Safari only, visit How to get old versions of macOS and check the hardware requirements. You will need a mid-2012 iMac if you need something newer than High Sierra.

May 31, 2021 10:26 AM in response to HD9110

What system are you trying to install on the 2011? It cannot run higher than macOS 10.13.X High Sierra.


Are you using Safari for any downloads? Firefox is not curently working properly for macOS installers.


Did you see these Apple articles?


Download link to High Sierra is in this article: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

Creating a bootable USB drive (also has OS installer links): How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

May 31, 2021 10:39 AM in response to HD9110

A 2011 Mac can only run up-to macOS 10.13 High Sierra.


You need to first try starting up in macOS Internet Recovery (Option Command R) and Install the offered macOS.

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


If that doesn't work, you can get macOS 10.13 High Sierra and create a bootable USB Installer of High Sierra,

as per > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372


If the Download macOS High Sierra in the above link does not work, you can also get macOS High Sierra

from > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

Trouble creating a bootable installer but can’t download new OS X on 2011 iMac

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