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User profile for user: Pockitz
Pockitz Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mojave will not upgrade to Catalina using Installer

Hello, my late 2015 iMac has been erased and installed El Capitan from fresh then upgraded to Mojave.

I have the Catalina installer downloaded on my iMac and ready to go from here: (https://support.apple.com/en_CA/downloads/macos).

I have tried to install and came up with the following message:

This source contains a newer release of macOS. Your Mac requires an upgrade before you can migrate from this source. Quit the installer to restart your computer and try again.

Then it hangs and I have to do a hard restart to start up again.

  • I have tried safe mode install.
  • I have reinstalled Mojave 10.14.6 from Recovery mode and tried again.

It seems that the MacOS Catalina installer is trying to migrate from another source, but all I want is an upgrade from Mojave to Catalina.

Any help would be appreciated as I have a funeral to prepare for and I have no computer!



[Edited by Moderator] 


iMac 27″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Feb 9, 2022 4:22 AM

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User profile for user: Owen_1001
Owen_1001
User level: Level 4
2,025 points

Posted on Feb 9, 2022 4:39 AM

Instead of using that link, try to use this link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


Scroll down and select the Catalina link to download the installer. Your Mac can upgrade to the latest macOS 12 Monterey if you wanted it to, but if you want an older version, use that link (I have personally used it before and it worked for me).

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User profile for user: Owen_1001
Owen_1001
User level: Level 4
2,025 points

Feb 9, 2022 4:39 AM in response to Pockitz

Instead of using that link, try to use this link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683


Scroll down and select the Catalina link to download the installer. Your Mac can upgrade to the latest macOS 12 Monterey if you wanted it to, but if you want an older version, use that link (I have personally used it before and it worked for me).

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User profile for user: Owen_1001
Owen_1001
User level: Level 4
2,025 points

Feb 9, 2022 10:28 AM in response to Pockitz

1) Backup your Mac with Time Machine: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250


2) Erase all content and settings on your Mac through Disk Utility: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496


3) Go through the setup process of a new Mac, but don't put any of your files or apps on it. Set up a "disposable" Mac account that you will remove later.


4) Try to download the Catalina installer from this empty Mac and follow the instructions to install it.


5) After the installation process of macOS Catalina, you will want to wipe the "disposable" Mac account. Repeat only Step 2


6) Now set up your Mac with your preferences and your new Mac account. When prompted to transfer info from an older Mac, use your Time Machine backup to transfer your files and apps (NOTE: macOS Catalina and higher doesn't support 32x bit apps)


7) Complete the setup process with your files and apps on macOS Catalina.

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Mojave will not upgrade to Catalina using Installer

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