Unsupported app update on iMac

GinaGirl123 wrote:

Mine is purchased in 2019. I do not see that on the list.

Not really possible.

There is no 24" 2019 iMac.

If it's an actual 24" iMac then it's at least a 2021 model with the M1 CPU which can run Tahoe.

Prior to that there were no 24" models except the ones from 2006 and 2007.

For 2019 models, there was a 21.5" 4K and a 27" 5K models. Both of which have Intel CPUs and neither of which can run Tahoe.

There was a 2020 27" 5K iMac with an Intel CPU that is supported for Tahoe.

But again, if the software Update option offered Tahoe, then it is compatible. Apple will not offer an incompatible update through Software Update at all.

Verify what you have exactly by going to the Apple Menu ➜ About This Mac option.

All 24” iMacs that are recent enough to be running Sequoia have Apple Silicon processors and can run Tahoe. So your iMac supports Tahoe.

There are some very early Intel-based iMacs that have 24” screens and cannot run Tahoe, but they cannot run anything as new as Sequoia, either.

I believe that the App Store will show you the current version of macOS, whether your computer qualifies to run it, or not. In this respect, the App Store differs from Software Update. If you tried to install that version of macOS on an incompatible Mac, you'd be blocked with an error at the download stage or the installation stage.

Where Software Update is concerned, you'd never be offered the incompatible new version at all.

I don't see Tahoe there either, and I'm checking using a M1 Max Mac Studio. Looks like Apple has recently changed how things work.

If you search for macOS in the App Store, one hit is a "Story" called Download macOS Versions. It has a number of links:

• How to update macOS. Click for details on using Software Update.
• How to reinstall macOS. Click for info on using macOS Recovery.
• See whch versions of macOS work with your Mac. Click for info on compatibility.
• Download recent macOS versions on the Mac App Store. (With links for everything from High Sierra through Sequoia, but no link for Tahoe.)
• Get Older Versions of macOS. Click to download standalone installers.

Now it is easier to find old versions of macOS if you just know about the App Store, not about the Support article. But Apple appears to have removed the App Store entry for the current version of macOS, in favor of telling people to use Software Update.

GinaGirl123 wrote:

You will note that my 24" 4 port Mac 2019 is NOT on the list.

There is no such thing as a 2019 24" iMac.

Please verify the exact year model of your iMac.

To do that, see > Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

Just to add, macOS Tahoe would not download and install on a 2019 iMac. What Tahoe "app" are you referring to?

GinaGirl123 wrote:

Thank you. You are right. Mine is a 2021. Don't know where i got that idea. Thank you so much. Problem solved. Getting old isn't exactly easy on the technology side. Thanks for your patience and explanations.

In that case you can go ahead and confidently install the update without worry.

You wouldn't.

All 24" iMacs can support Tahoe, and it's not an app, it's an operating system.

Why do you think it would mess up your computer exactly?

GinaGirl123 wrote:

You will note that my 24" 4 port Mac 2019 is NOT on the list.

There was never a 24" 2019 iMac. That's the problem. There was only a 21.5" and 27".

Go to the  menu and select "About This Mac". That will tell you which model and year your Mac is.

Go to the  menu and select "About This Mac". That will tell you exactly what model and year your iMac is, like this:

A 2021 M1 24" iMac supports macOS 26 Tahoe.

have a look at > Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

and > macOS Tahoe is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

dialabrain wrote:

I just checked on my iMac Pro. I did a search for macOS Tahoe in the App Store and it isn't listed.

Same here. Tahoe does not show up in the App Store for our older Mac's.

Just to add, macOS Tahoe doesn't appear to come up in the App Store at all. Not even on my M3 iMac.

Servant of Cats wrote:

I believe that the App Store will show you the current version of macOS, whether your computer qualifies to run it, or not.

Apparently not. I just checked on my iMac Pro. I did a search for macOS Tahoe in the App Store and it isn't listed.