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Help updating old OS 10.11.6 to Catalina on iMac

I am currently running El Capitan 10.11.6 on a 21.5 Late 2015 iMac. I would like to update this to the latest OS Catalina. When I check the app store to do so it says "no updates available". There is no option to update OS in system preferences either. Any suggestions on what I can do to update?

iMac 21.5", OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 7, 2019 1:06 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 7, 2019 1:30 PM

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

As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system.

If you want to install a newer OS that is called an Upgrade. 


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.


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned that it does 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/. Once the list has been created you can then

contact the developers of the apps to see if they provide 64bit updates. 


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 7, 2019 1:30 PM in response to caengelb

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

As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system.

If you want to install a newer OS that is called an Upgrade. 


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.


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned that it does 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/. Once the list has been created you can then

contact the developers of the apps to see if they provide 64bit updates. 


How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support

Help updating old OS 10.11.6 to Catalina on iMac

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