What version of iMovie works with Catalina 10.15.7

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Level 1

12 points

What version of iMovie works with Catalina 10.15.7

What version of iMovie do I need for installation onto a 2012 MacBook Pro 13 using Catalina 10.15.7?

Please don't reply about looking for previous purchases or that the install fie is not available. I only need to know the version number that will work. For example - iMovie 10.1.12 . All I need is the version build number.

FYI I have 4 MacBooks running Catalina that can't upgrade to Big Sur. Some of them came with iMovie already installed, some were originally installed via CD/DVD that came with the MacBook. When I upgraded to Catalina, and/or reinstalled system after crashes, iMovie was no longer there. Apple ID has no record of the "purchase" of this free software either. My Apple ID has changed twice since 2012 with old email and phone #'s that are no longer accessible.

I know a Catalina compatible version exists. Apple confirms that any Catalina user who has a "purchased" version showing associated their Apple ID account can download this working version on the app store today. They just need to follow the prompts on app store to download iMovie, then it prompts that the latest version is not compatible, then get option to download the version compatible for Catalina. Since this is something available today on app store, then Apple should be able to tell me the version number within this past 5 hours of asking this question.

I spent 5 hours on phone and Apple support chat today with Apple playing their usual runaround dance with no answers today. Hopefully someone in the community can simply provide me with a version number of the software that I need to find. Just the version number, no links needed, no other workarounds. I've tried everything and more already.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 9, 2023 01:37 PM

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Answer 1

Bobdude121 Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 10, 2023 04:51 AM in response to thesurreyfriends

Thank you for your help, and your answer that will likely work.

With that said, one has to wonder why Apple support couldn't just answer that simple question during the 5 hours they wasted with me. After I posted this, I was able to install iMovie 10.1.12 on my Catalina laptops. It also seems 10.1.16 and 10.2.3 are other compatible versions. 10.2.5 must be the version the app store currently gives for Catalina users with any older iMovie "purchase" associated on their Apple ID account. Back during those early days, most Mac users only used the app store for iTunes music purchases, not for downloading the free software that came with their MacBook system, or through CD/DVD installs.

Thanks again for your answer. If anyone else has more info regarding this, or disputes that 10.1.12, 10.1.16, or 10.2.3 could also work on Catalina, please post here what you know.

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Answer 2

Bobdude121 Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 10, 2023 08:10 AM in response to Rich839

Thanks for your helpful input.

As I said in my post, like many other users, my iMovie came with the computers when I bought them, either via disks or pre-installed. There are no records of any iMovie purchases on any of my Apple ID's. Should those millions of 2012 Mac users be punished for that? A decade ago, when these laptops were made, most users only used app store for music on iTunes, rarely for software.

Just the fact that Apple is so secretive, or ignorant, about which versions work, and making those working software versions available to anyone easily, proves how much Apple has moved away from their user-friendly reputation that had inspired so many to be lifetime Mac users.

I used to be proud to be a Mac user. Now Apple is nothing special to brag about. Maybe they have a revenue share with Adobe or Davinci, etc. when users turn to those alternatives. I'm not sure why they insist on wasting customer time in order to avoid easy solutions. This software is free, yet purposefully made unavailable for many users, while also hiding info about what works with Catalina.

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Answer 3

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Mar 10, 2023 08:41 AM in response to Bobdude121

The thing is, the contributors to this forum are consumers like yourself. We have no input into Apple's software decisions or designs. You can contact Apple directly at this feedback link:

Product Feedback - Apple

It's possible that the iMovie purchases in your accounts are there but just hidden. Believe it or not, that happens occasionally for some unknown reason. When you open your account in the app store, you will see an item at the top right called View Information.

Click on View information and another screen will pop up showing a Hidden Items/Hidden Options choice. From there you can Manage/Unhide any hidden purchases.

-- Rich

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Mar 10, 2023 07:51 AM in response to Bobdude121

I am running iMovie 10.2.5 on Catalina 10.15.7. Since iMovie 10.1.12 runs on your Mac with Catalina 10.15.7 then all iMovie versions between 10.1.12 and 10.2.5 also will run. To go to iMovie 10.3 you would need to upgrade the OS to Big Sur.

You didn't mention how you acquired iMovie 10.1.12, but you might be able to update it to iMovie 10.2.5 from the app store purchases in your Account. (You said you didn't want to hear that, but I'm mentioning it anyway -- poetic license 😊) Move your current version from the applications folder to the trash, but do not empty the trash. Then open the app store and sign in with whatever Apple I.D. that you were using when you first acquired iMovie. If it doesn't work, try the other Applie IDs that you have used. If still no luck, remove iMovie from the trash and place it back into your applications folder. Nothing lost.

-- Rich

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Answer 5

Mar 10, 2023 12:53 AM in response to Bobdude121

There will, of course, be a range of versions of iMovie that will work with Catalina 10.15.7 but the latest compatible version will most likely be version 10.2.5.

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What version of iMovie works with Catalina 10.15.7

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