You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Updating my macOS verison on my iMac.

I have an iMac 27" 2020, right now the software is macOS Catalina. I need to update the software to macOS version 12. But when going to do this normally it says my mac is up-to-date. I am a photographer and I need to download adobe lightroom but the macOS version installed isn't new enough. Doing my research my computer should support the version 12 software update but I am just struggling with how to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

iMac 27″

Posted on Oct 9, 2023 5:34 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 9, 2023 5:38 AM

You can get it here: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

11 replies

Oct 9, 2023 2:57 PM in response to AbbieIronside

AbbieIronside wrote:

I have an iMac 27" 2020, right now the software is macOS Catalina. I need to update the software to macOS version 12. But when going to do this normally it says my mac is up-to-date. I am a photographer and I need to download adobe lightroom but the macOS version installed isn't new enough.


Adobe - Creative Cloud system requirements


Right now, the minimum version of macOS for running PS, LR, and LRC is Big Sur. I suspect that Adobe will change the requirement to Monterey in the fairly near future.


Adobe currently recommends

  • Big Sur or later for running Lightroom Classic
  • Monterey for running Lightroom
  • Ventura 13.5.1 for running Photoshop

It is not clear why there is a difference, especially since Adobe bundles PS, LR, and LRC in some Photography Plans.


Adobe – Can I run my Adobe apps on macOS 14 Sonoma?


Adobe claims that there are versions of PS, LR, and LRC that are compatible with Sonoma. It appears that they are still working on many other apps.

Oct 9, 2023 5:07 PM in response to AbbieIronside


With a little research find details of which exact build year model

is your iMac 27-in. computer. Option/variables, listed separately.

(For Apple system upgrades, use Safari even in outdated macOS.)


Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com

https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/


For good free reference, for most things Apple; download app here:

Mactracker - Get Info/Download

https://mactracker.ca/


Mactracker - Blog

https://blog.mactracker.ca/


You may be able to get and use fast external drive to run other macOS

systems from there ~ then you won't need to have internal upgrades.

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ftsa&q=owc+upgrade+imac&ia=web

[See OWC Envoy; among some others, from macsales site.]



Upgrades Guaranteed to work with your Mac (iMac 27-in)

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac20-2 (examples)


Oct 9, 2023 3:16 PM in response to AbbieIronside

AbbieIronside wrote:

Hi, thank you for your message. I have tried this but it just says update can't be found. Why would this be? Thanks Abbie


What Web browser are you using? If it's not Safari, change your default browser to Safari. Then launch Safari. Use it to access the Apple Support article and the link for the version of macOS you want to install.


Background:


When I was upgrading an older Mac to High Safari, and I was using Firefox as my browser, I got very misleading error messages claiming (falsely) that the item I requested was not available in the U.S. App Store. Temporarily changing my default browser to Safari, and using Safari to access the Support article, got around the problem.


Apparently there is some sort of "magic handshake" that goes on between Safari and the App Store when you click on one of the App Store links for an old version of macOS. Firefox did not know how to do the handshake. The App Store didn't know how to return correct, useful error text. Result: a perfect storm.

Updating my macOS verison on my iMac.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.