Can’t seem to download Monterey in order to update my OS.

Question

Can’t seem to download Monterey in order to update my OS.

I get a “finding update...” search that never resolves. Currently for a late 2015 iMac (Intel Core i5) running on Catalina (10.15.7). What’s the issue?

iMac

Posted on Aug 20, 2022 12:39 PM

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Answer 1

tjk

Level 9

51,142 points

Aug 20, 2022 10:53 PM in response to dale0987654321

You're welcome. The answer is somewhere in Apple's description of Safe Mode, but like many things, I couldn't tell you why (I'd be guessing), just that it sometimes works: Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache

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Answer 2

tjk

Level 9

51,142 points

Aug 20, 2022 8:53 PM in response to dale0987654321

Hi,

Try booting into Safe Mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support and see if it works there. If not, boot normally and try again.

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Answer 3

Aug 20, 2022 7:35 PM in response to sberman

Yeah, did that too. (And yes, I’m in the U.S.) Tried again using your link - same result. I’ve tried accessing through the App Store, through the link on “About This Mac” window, through the “Software Update” function in System Preferences, and through Apple’s website. Zip, zilch, nada. Same result every time. Searching... never resolving.

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Answer 4

Aug 20, 2022 8:41 PM in response to sberman

Good Q. But i don’t run anything special... just whatever's included with the OS and updates.

Curious if skipping OS versions (I’m jumping from 2.17 Catelina to 2.19 Monterey, skipping 2.18 Big Sur) could have something to do with it?

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Answer 5

Aug 20, 2022 10:30 PM in response to tjk

Bingo! Had to sit there with my finger on shift for 15 minutes, but booting into Safe Mode allowed me to download Monterey, which is installing as I type this. TY tjk! So, what do you think was going on?

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Answer 6

Mal-S

Level 5

4,990 points

Aug 20, 2022 12:49 PM in response to dale0987654321

Try downloading it direct. See below.

How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 7

sberman

Level 10

268,263 points

Aug 20, 2022 3:50 PM in response to dale0987654321

Try this - a link to the App Store to "Purchase" (for no charge) MacOS Monterey. (This assumes you're in the U.S.)

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-monterey/id1576738294?mt=12

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Answer 8

Aug 20, 2022 3:43 PM in response to Mal-S

Yeah, did that too. Same result no matter which pathway I choose. Just won’t resolve the search - won’t give it to me, but also won’t say it’s unavailable for whatever reason. Pretty weird.

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