Want to upgrade OS on MacMini (later 2012)

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Level 1

4 points

Want to upgrade OS on MacMini (later 2012)

The MacMini is currently running OS 10.9.5. I'm trying to upgrade the OS to either Mojave or Catalina. I've found download pages for both in the App Store. When I try to log in, I either get a spinning wheel or a notification I'm not using the correct login info (even though I am).

I've also tried using the software update command on Terminal, but I don't think that works anymore for older OS packages.

I asked Apple Support if they could direct me to a server where I can download the OS package for install (versus going through the App Store, but that was not an option they were willing to offer.

Open to advice. Thanks in advance for any help.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jan 27, 2025 05:55 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 27, 2025 08:11 PM in response to fhealy

You can upgrade a Mac mini (Late 2012) to Catalina, but no later. If you upgrade to Catalina, 32-bit applications will break, and iTunes will go away, replaced by separate applications.

The problem could be that OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks) is so old that its versions of Safari and the App Store don't know how to make secure connections.

A possible workaround:

Use a modern Mac or PC to download the .DMG file containing the Sierra installer, and to put it onto a USB drive like a flash drive. This does not create a bootable installer, just a USB drive with a data file on it.
Transfer the drive to the Mac mini and copy the .DMG file containing the Sierra installer to it.
Eject the drive.
Open the .DMG file to mount the disk image. Run the Sierra installer you find inside.

Once you have Sierra installed, the versions of Safari and the App Store on the Mac mini may be up-to-date enough to let you get the rest of the way to High Sierra, Mojave, or Catalina from the Mac mini itself.

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Answer 2

fhealy Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 28, 2025 09:48 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks for the above replies. My current MacBook Pro won't let me download an OS (Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, etc.) that's incompatible with it, but I may be able to try it with another Mac I have lying around. Thanks!

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

88,960 points

Jan 27, 2025 06:05 PM in response to fhealy

If you can not get Catalina, as per > How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Then try creating a bootable installer, as per > Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Jan 27, 2025 08:13 PM in response to fhealy

I would suggest making sure you have at least one bootable clone backup of your Mavericks system before going further. If something goes wrong during an upgrade, it's nice to be able to recover.

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Want to upgrade OS on MacMini (later 2012)

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