The various ways of checking for software may only show updates to the current main system version you are running (e.g., 10.4.8 --> 10.4.11), not upgrades to a higher system version such as a jump from El Capitan (10.11) to Catalina (10.15). Note the difference between an update and an upgrade.
Manually Install OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 Update: All Mac OS X device general public users and developers can get Final OS X 10.11.5 version directly from Apple by simply going to App Store Software Update option. If you're OS X developer, then you can visit OS X developer portal website for official OS X 10.11.5 Downloads. If you're non-developer, then you can still free download, install. Manually Install OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 Update: All Mac OS X device general public users and developers can get Final OS X 10.11.5 version directly from Apple by simply going to App Store Software Update option. If you're OS X developer, then you can visit OS X developer portal website for official OS X 10.11.5 Downloads.
We can provide more specific advice if we know more about your computer model, year, and specifications. To get more information about your computer choose Apple menu > 'About This Mac' in the upper left corner of any window, then 'More Info...' or 'System Report'. Copy and paste the information here, but omit the serial number and UUIDs (if present). More about this in 'About System Information [Profiler] on your Mac' - https://support.apple.com/HT203001
El Capitan 10.11 Download Free
You can also use the computer information and the links below to yourself determine what is possible with your computer.
Click on this link to read how to get other versions of macOS - https://support.apple.com/HT211683
- This article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. Note some of the model identifier articles are outdated. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
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- Make sure you have more RAM than what is noted as 'minimum' for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.
- You may find you need to use Safari to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open a functioning page.
- Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite download as a .pkg. Click on this to have a converted version placed in your Applications folder as an 'Install OS...' application. Run the installer and follow the directions.
- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.
Back up your data in case something goes wrong --> Back up your Mac with Time Machine - https://support.apple.com/HT201250 or use a cloning tool.
Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer.
Feb 1, 2021 9:33 AM
To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that you always use the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Learn how to upgrade to macOS Big Sur, the latest version of macOS.
Check compatibility
The version of macOS that came with your Mac is the earliest version it can use. For example, if your Mac came with macOS Big Sur, it will not accept installation of macOS Catalina or earlier.
If a macOS can't be used on your Mac, the App Store or installer will let you know. For example, it might say that it's not compatible with this device or is too old to be opened on this version of macOS. To confirm compatibility before downloading, check the minimum hardware requirements:
- macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements
- macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements
- macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements
- macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements
- OS X El Capitan 10.11 hardware requirements
- OS X Yosemite 10.10 hardware requirements
Download macOS using Safari on your Mac
Safari uses these links to find the old installers in the App Store. After downloading from the App Store, the installer opens automatically.
- macOS Catalina 10.15 can upgrade Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks
- macOS Mojave 10.14 can upgrade High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
- macOS High Sierra 10.13 can upgrade Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
Safari downloads the following older installers as a disk image named InstallOS.dmg or InstallMacOSX.dmg. Open the disk image, then open the .pkg installer inside the disk image. It installs an app named Install [Version Name]. Open that app from your Applications folder to begin installing the operating system.
- macOS Sierra 10.12 can upgrade El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion
- OS X El Capitan 10.11 can upgrade Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard
- OS X Yosemite 10.10can upgrade Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard