In This Article You will know How Might I Upgrade My Old Mac in 2022? Are you unsure of how to upgrade a outdated Mac device? We’re here to assist you!
Desktop operating systems often live a long time, unlike mobile ones. After a certain point, phones typically stop functioning due to a lack of software upgrades. Desktop operating systems, on the other hand, run longer. This holds true for Mac.
Checking for software updates on your Mac computer on a regular basis is crucial. These not only increase functionality overall but also add new features. Additionally, installing fresh updates may resolve problematic programme problems.
When it comes to supporting older technology, both for its desktop computers and mobile devices, Apple never lets its customers down. Support for Apple devices and gadgets typically lasts five years. All devices get a software update to increase their speed and security during this period.
But beyond that time, Apple no longer supports those products in favour of newer ones. This may be due to a number of factors, including the outdated hardware’s inability to run more modern and sophisticated programmes. The Mojave Apple, which does not support more recent versions of macOS, is a frequent example. But that is a very different subject.
In this post, we’ll concentrate on showing you how to upgrade older Mac devices.
List of Models that macOS Mojave Supports
- Apple MacBook Air claims (2012 and recent)
iMac (2012 and recent) - Apple MacBook (2012 and recent)
- MacBook (2015 and recent)
- Apple Mini (2012 and recent)
- Pro iMac (2017 model)
- Apple Mac (Mid to Late 2010, 2012 and 2013)
Apple’s List of Models Supported by MacOS Catalina
- Pro iMac (2017 model)
- MacBook (2015 and recent)
- Apple Mac (2013 and recent)
- Apple Mini (2012 and recent)
- Air MacBook (2012 and recent)
- Apple MacBook (2012 and recent)
- iMac (2012 and recent)
Models that MacOS Big Sur Supports
- Pro iMac
- MacBook (2015 and recent)
- iMac (2014 and recent)
- Apple Mini (2014 and recent)
- Air MacBook (2013 and recent)
- Apple MacBook (2013 and recent)
- Launched in 2013 or later is the Mac Pro
Your Mac device cannot be updated to the most recent versions if it is not included in this list of Mac devices that various applications supports.
Are You Still Supported by Apple for Your Mac OS Version?
Every new Apple software update is immediately installed by macOS, which is self-updating. If your outdated Mac doesn’t receive automatic updates, you must first check for compatibility. You’ll need to know the precise macOS version installed on your computer to do this.
Use the instructions below to locate the most recent version.
- To begin, tap the Apple icon that appears in the corner of your screen.
- Click “About this Mac” right now.
- A page with the current macOS version installed on your device will appear.
- The model of your Mac is listed on the first line of the specifications.
- Introducing the Newest macOS Versions on Your Computer
You can check the latest macOS version to see if Apple is still supporting your device or not. If Apple still supports your Mac, simply follow these instructions to update it from the settings.
- Choose “About this Mac.”
- the window’s “Software Update” button.
- Click “Update now” when a new update is found.
- For your device, it will start downloading the most recent version of macOS. You can access the Apple Store by typing “macOS version>” if you want to download a specific version of macOS for your computer.
The moment the file is downloaded, the installation will begin immediately. By selecting continue and following the onscreen instructions, the software installation is completed.
It is advised not to obstruct the installation procedure. During installation, avoid using the system, closing the lid, or turning the device into sleep mode. This interference may cause corrupted files to enter the system on your Mac.
What Causes My Mac to Refuse to Update to Newer Versions of macOS?
When trying to upgrade outdated Macs, some customers could experience strange installation issues. Some of the frequent issues could be:
- Mac not compatible
- Lack of storage space
- The update couldn’t download.
- Let’s go over each of these issues in more depth.
Mac not compatible
As previously mentioned, more recent macOS versions do not fully support older hardware. In other words, you can’t expect to update outdated Macs to more recent versions of macOS. Therefore, it is crucial to verify your device’s compatibility before updating. Make sure your device is supported by the macOS version (Mojave, Catalina, or Big Sur) you’re trying to install.
Not enough room for storage
Lack of storage space frequently prevents software from installing. In such circumstances, the update abruptly terminates the download process, and only a few installation files are saved on the computer. In the end, this results in a flawed or incomplete installation.
These few steps can be used to resolve this problem.
Look through your system for the installation file. Install macOS [version number]” is the name you can use to search for it. For Mojave, for instance, it will be called “Install macOS 10.14” Similarly, it will be known as “Install macOS 10.15” for Catalina and “macOS 11.2” for Big Sur.
- Delete this file by choosing it.
- Restart the computer.
- Now, make place for the necessary installation files by eliminating superfluous files.
- Download it once more.
- Complete the installation.
- The system is set up to launch the installation procedure after the download has finished without human intervention. If the installation does not begin, open the folder and double-click on the file. The installation will start as a result. Be careful not to use the system or close the lid during the entire operation.
Update was not able to be downloaded
Error warnings are yet another issue people encounter when downloading updates. In this instance, a dialogue with the message “Installation of macOS could not continue” appears. Important stuff needs to be downloaded before installation. Currently, it is not possible to download that content. Later, try again.”
In some instances, the installation may not start at all or the download progress metre may stop moving. Most of these issues are most likely the result of a network malfunction.
- Check the router first if you want a wireless connection. Try turning it off then back on.
- Make sure your internet connection is steady so the download can proceed without interruption. Regular network speed spikes frequently result in download failure.
- For a constant speed, consider utilising an Ethernet cable.
- Check the system status of Apple to make sure the Apple Server is operational.
Most likely, trying one of these solutions will solve your issue. If you are still having problems, there may be further causes. For instance, multiple users are downloading the update concurrently, which is typical during the first few days after it is released. If you want a smooth and steady software update in this situation, try downloading the update at off-peak times.
Using Safe Mode to Install Newer Versions of macOS
You must exercise caution when installing a new version of macOS since some programmes or startup processes may interrupt the installation in the middle of it. This may result in the update being stopped or not running at all.
It’s preferable to upgrade older Mac devices in Safe Mode to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted process. Simply restart your computer and take these actions:
- Restart your device.
- To make sure the gadget shuts down properly, leave it for at least 15 seconds.
- Re-start the device.
- When your device starts on, immediately press and hold the SHIFT button.
- When you see the Apple symbol, release the Shift key.
- Start the installation of the macOS version you want to use right away.
Should You Update or Upgrade Your Mac?
You do, you do. To increase efficiency, your Mac needs system updates, which also solve security issues and shield your computer from viruses and hackers. Additionally, it enhances the system’s functionality and introduces fresh, intriguing features.
It is advised against updating your Mac device to more recent macOS versions like Catalina or Mojave if it is not among the models listed above. Old hardware may not be able to support the programmes and may have compatibility problems with newer versions. For instance, support for 32-bit apps was fully discontinued when Apple switched over to 64-bit apps in Catalina.
Version 10.14 of Mojave, the most recent version that can still operate on older Macs, is the last version that supports 32-bit programmes.
Putting New Versions of macOS on an Unsupported Mac
So if you’ve been using a Mac for a while, don’t be discouraged. Some patches can still be used as a workaround to update older Mac machines to current versions of macOS.
Just be ready for any problems or performance decreases you experience as a result of these changes. When trying to install newer macOS versions on an older Mac, the user frequently loses the data on the machine. Before beginning a new update, you should create a backup file for all of your data.
How to Install macOS Mojave on a Mac That Isn’t Supported
The following actions must be taken in order to install macOS Mojave on an unsupported Mac.
- Download the macOS Mojave Patch Tool first, making sure it works with your previous Mac.
- Now take a USB device that is 16 GB or larger and format it with Disk Utility. Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space to do this. Then choose it after typing “Disk Utility.” Pick the USB drive after that, then select the Erase tab. Give your drive a name that fits it now, and “OS X Extended (Journaled)” format the USB device.
- Click the file to open it after the macOS Mojave download is complete. To start installing files, choose Tools and then choose the Mojave installer programme. Your Mac cannot be upgraded if a notice appears stating that the Mojave Tool does not support your device.
- Once the installer has finished downloading all of the installation files, click on the Mojave icon in the Patch Tool box. Choose a USB drive. Then, select “Start Operation.”
- After that, remove your USB drive and turn off your Mac. Press the Power button after that. Press the Option key on the keypad when you see the startup screen. A list of drives will appear on the screen. Choose a USB drive.
- Go to the menu bar right now and choose “Disk Utility.”
- Click Erase and choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” to format your drive.
- You can start the macOS installation in this stage. Click “Continue” after choosing the folder in which to install the updated version.
- Reboot to the installer drive as described in step 5 after the installation is complete. Click “macOS Post Install” from the side menu at this point.
- The screen will display a window. The application will automatically choose the patches required for your system after you select the Mac model.
- Choose the volume where you installed macOS Mojave at this point. Once the patch has been applied, click “Reboot.”
How to Install Catalina on a Mac that is Not Supported
- Download the Catalina Patcher for macOS.
- Take an 8GB USB drive and insert it into the Mac to store the installation files.
- To launch Spotlight, press Command + Space, then type “Disk Utility.” Choose it. Give your disc drive a good name and format it with OS X Extended (Journaled). Press “Erase.”
- Open the macOS Catalina Patcher once it has been downloaded. To continue, click.
- Select the Catalina installer file by clicking “Browse for a copy” and then clicking. Choose “Download a Copy” if you don’t already have a copy of the most recent Catalina Installer.
- Select the installation file and choose “Continue” once it has been downloaded.
- Choose “Create a bootable installation” from the list of three options on the screen.
- To make a bootable disc, pick your USB drive right now. once the procedure is over. Turn off your Mac.
- Wait 15 seconds after removing the USB device to make sure the Mac has shut down fully. Switch on the power. Press the “Option” key on the keyboard to choose your USB device from a variety of discs when the starting screen appears.
- Activate “Disk Utility.”
- To format your USB drive, first choose the system disc and then choose “Erase.” “OS X Extended (Journaled)” should be chosen. Close the Disk Utility window after the formatting is finished.
- Click “Reinstall macOS” after launching the macOS utility window.
- Hold off until the installation is complete. Repeat step 9 and choose “macOS Post Install” after it’s finished. The software will automatically choose the required fixes for your Mac after you click “Continue.”
- Click “Force Cache Rebuild” after the fixes have been successfully applied, then restart your Mac. After a restart, your unsupported Mac will be running a functional version of macOS Catalina.
How to Install Big Sur on a Mac that is Not Supported
- Download “macOS Big Surinstallation “‘s file first.
- To store the installation file, use a USB drive with 15 GB or more of storage space and insert it into your Mac.
- To launch “Spotlight,” press Command and Space. Enter “Utility Disk” and click “Open.”
- Press “Erase.”
- “My Volume” should be the drive’s name. Your USB device should now be formatted as “OS X Extended (Journaled).”
- At this point, choose “GUID Partition Map” and press “Erase.” Click “Done” when the Utility Disk has finished configuring the device.
- To open the Terminal, press Command + Space and type “Terminal.”
- After that, paste the following command into the Terminal: sudo /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia -volume /Volumes/MyVolume — /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur.app.
- The Terminal would then prompt for a password once you hit “Enter.” Enter your login password after typing it.
- When the Terminal is about to delete the drive, a notice will appear on the screen to alert you. Before continuing, make sure you have a backup of any pertinent files. Finally, click “Y” to continue the installation, then wait for it to finish.
- Hold down the Options key on the keyboard while restarting your Mac.
- You can access Recovery Mode by choosing your USB drive labelled “My Volume” in the Startup Manager. Activate “Disk Utility”
- Click “Erase” after selecting System drive. After formatting your USB device, shut the Utility window.
- Click “Continue” after selecting “Reinstall macOS.” Restart the computer after it is finished. When it’s done, your old Mac will be running a functional version of macOS Big Sur.
FAQ
Here are some often asked questions about updating older Mac devices.
Is it ever too late to update a Mac?
Your Mac can still be updated to a newer macOS version via a workaround patch, regardless of how old it is. You can use it to install Macs that aren’t supported with Mojave, Catalina, or even Big Sur.
What Can I Use My Old iMac For?
You can discard your iMac if it is no longer working and does not support more recent updates. Apple offers a recycling programme in which they will collect and recycle your old iMac. You receive a gift card from the firm if your device still has some worth.
When my Mac says it cannot be updated, how can I do it?
Check your Mac’s model by opening “About this Mac.” Check to see if it works with the most recent macOS releases. Select the macOS you want to install on your old Mac by clicking the Download OS section.
Old iMacs: What Are They Worth?
Old Macs can cost as much as $100 on average. Depending on the device’s condition, a Mac that is 10 years old is worth $50 to $500.
Final Reflections
How to upgrade outdated Mac devices was the focus of the guide. For steady performance, it’s essential to update older Macs to a newer macOS version. You’ll have access to the newest features thanks to the upgrades, which will also shield the device against malware flaws and intrusions.
