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User profile for user: jmcdermon
jmcdermon Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Cannot download old versions of MacOS installers

I'm on a 2018 MBP running Monterey (12.2). I'm trying to build an external disk to boot and run High Sierra (10.13). I need to run a legacy application. Following the instructions in this article, using Safari, I follow the links to the High Sierra installer in the App Store. The App Store opens and I'm on the High Sierra installer page with a "Get" button. Clicking the "Get" button on the High Sierra page in the App Store opens the System Preferences and starts checking for updates. Of course System Prefs doesn't find any updates, since my system is up to date (see attached screenshots). So now, how do I get a copy of the High Sierra installer so that I can install it on and external drive? Any help will be greatly appreciated.


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 11:36 PM

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,747 points

Feb 8, 2022 2:23 AM in response to jmcdermon

The question is - What Version of macOS came installed on this computer when it was Brand New ?


High Sierra was released in September 2017 so it may have had High Sierra or Mojave ?


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.

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User profile for user: jmcdermon
jmcdermon Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Feb 8, 2022 6:42 PM in response to PRP_53

I can't exactly remember which version of the OS this computer came with, but I have verified that it can run High Sierra. If you re-read my original post and review at the screenshots I included, you'll see that I did exactly what you suggest and it doesn't work. The link to the Apple Store opens, but when I click on the "Get" button System Preferences opens and starts "Checking for updates..." There are no updates, since this Mac is running the latest version of Monterey, so I'm not presented with the option to download anything. Thanks for the link to the KB article, but it doesn't appear to work that way anymore.

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User profile for user: jmcdermon
jmcdermon Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Feb 11, 2022 7:53 PM in response to BDAqua

NO - as I described in the original post *and* in my reply to a previous comment. When I click on the link you provided, it opens the App store on the getting page for High Sierra. I click the "Get" button and that launches System Preferences which starts up "Checking for Updates..." BUT - this mac is on 12.2 so the only updates I see are related to the current version of the OS (if any are available). No sign of High Sierra or any versions of the OS older than the current version.

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User profile for user: jmcdermon
jmcdermon Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Feb 11, 2022 9:58 PM in response to BobHarris

OK that's helpful. Maybe this machine can't actually run High Sierra. It doesn't show up in the list of available full installers.


% softwareupdate --list-full-installers --force

Finding available software

Software Update found the following full installers:

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.2.1, Size: 12155426708K, Build: 21D62

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.2, Size: 12156325205K, Build: 21D49

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.1, Size: 12157035487K, Build: 21C52

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.0.1, Size: 12128428704K, Build: 21A559

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.3, Size: 12435122667K, Build: 20G415

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.2, Size: 12433351292K, Build: 20G314

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.1, Size: 12428472512K, Build: 20G224

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.5.2, Size: 12440916552K, Build: 20G95

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248985973K, Build: 19H15

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248854894K, Build: 19H2

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.6, Size: 8248781171K, Build: 19G2021

* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.6, Size: 6038419486K, Build: 18G103


It's a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). I purchased it on 11/26/18.

High Sierra was released in September 25, 2017 and Mojave was released September 24, 2018. So maybe this machine shipped with Mojave.



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Cannot download old versions of MacOS installers

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