Each time I try to download the installer from the app store, system preferences opens and says "Update Version not available." How do I install the OS without my Air trying to install it automatically?
MacBook Air (2020 or later)
Apple is somewhat restrictive as to which system versions can be downloaded to certain machines. The general idea for newer systems and machines is you download to a machine what that machine can actually use. Why don't you just boot the older model to Internet Recovery and work your way up to High Sierra from it?
About macOS Recovery on Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support
Apple is somewhat restrictive as to which system versions can be downloaded to certain machines. The general idea for newer systems and machines is you download to a machine what that machine can actually use. Why don't you just boot the older model to Internet Recovery and work your way up to High Sierra from it?
About macOS Recovery on Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support
Internet Recovery should work unless it is a truly ancient model that pre-dates that. In that case you will need more resources than a modern computer. Technically they should have included the original system DVD and failing that you will have to look on the used market for Snow Leopard. Of course it might help to know more about the actual model computer in discussion.
If booting from the USB El Capitan Installer drive - disconnect from Internet and get into Utilities - Terminal and roll the date back to October 2015 - something about Apple Certificates Expired in their DMGs.
When and how did you create this USB installer? You have to do it on a computer that supports El Capitan. As just indicated in another post, Apple periodically updates installers and if this is one you did a long time ago it may notwork unless you, uh, trick it.
How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Yeah it’s quite old. Model A1224 from 2009. The previous owner estimated it was newer but i’ve since found that it’s not even compatible with high sierra. I was able to create a bootable usb with El Cap, but when prompted to login to the app store it says “this item is temporarily unavailable.” I’ve read that trying to login to icloud from the “get help online” utility can help, but when i navigate to the icloud website it just gets stuck on a spinning wheel? I’m quite lost
I tried to but the person I bought it from completely wiped the drive so none of the recovery boots are working.
Trying to install a High Sierra installer to boot onto an older iMac using my 2020 Macbook Air running Big Sur.
