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High Sierra Upgrade Stuck? Fix It Now with Expert Tips!

No update on macOS High Sierra

Image source from MacRumors.com

Intro to stuck at macOS High Sierra and not able to upgrade

No update available for High Sierra

If you are using a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iMac from 2017 and have not updated your macOS High Sierra to a newer version when prompted by the AppStore back then, now you might receive prompts from other applications indicating that your macOS is too old and should have upgrade High Sierra earlier.

To run the latest software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, you urgently need to update. Similarly, productivity apps like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint require an upgrade to open the latest files or attachments from colleagues and friends using the latest version.

Furthermore, if you attempt to open files created with the latest versions of Keynote, Numbers and Pages, you will need the latest macOS version installed on your Mac.

However, as of July 2023, the AppStore app inside macOS High Sierra is now obsolete, and there is no way to upgrade your macOS version through the AppStore app.

Here is what you can do:

Tip 1: Backup all your data

To back up your data, you need to copy all your documents, data files, PDFs, pictures and videos from your User folder, which includes Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Movies, Music and Pictures, to an external hard drive.

If you use cloud drives like iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive, you can simply sign in with your login details after upgrading your macOS version and your data should sync back to your Mac from the cloud platform you are using.

Mac user file directory

Pro Tip 1

You don’t need to back up the software in your Applications folder since most software won’t function properly if you copy and paste them. Usually, a fresh installation is necessary, especially when switching macOS versions that use different installers.

For example, you can use Adobe CS6 on macOS High Sierra, but you can’t install it on macOS Ventura due to differences in application support and structure. Some users may prefer to stick with Adobe CS6 because its license is a one-time purchase and can be used indefinitely, whereas the latest Adobe CC version requires yearly renewal. However, this is no longer possible.

Pro Tip 2

If you are transferring your files to a new external hard disk, it’s important to reformat it to a macOS-supported format, such as Mac OS Extended Journal or APFS, before you start using it. To do this, you can use Spotlight Search (press the Command key on your keyboard + Spacebar) and search for “Disk Utility.” From there, you can select the desired format type and erase the external hard drive.

However, if you are working with an external hard drive that previously contained data from Windows-based computers, it would likely be formatted using NTFS, which macOS cannot write or edit. To address this, you can use third-party software that allows cross-compatibility, such as Paragon NTFS, Tuxera, or Mounty. These tools enable you to access and work with the data on your NTFS-formatted external hard drive on your Mac.

Image source from Paragon NTFS for Mac

Tip 2: Check which macOS can you upgrade from High Sierra

To begin, identify your Mac model, year, and inch and then proceed to this page. Here, you can check which macOS version Apple will allow you to upgrade to by default.

Details about this MacBook Air M1
macOS Compebility Guide

Image source from macsales.com

Tip 3: Download the macOS version

Once you have identified the macOS version that your Mac can support, you can proceed to download the installer files and launch the installation upgrade. For links to download different macOS versions, you can refer to the section “Create a USB Bootable macOS Installer.”

For a smoother user experience, we highly recommend creating a USB bootable macOS installer, erasing the hard drive and performing a fresh installation. Upgrading macOS from High Sierra to another version may encounter bugs and errors, while a fresh installation will eliminate these issues altogether.

Selecting USB External Drive Boot on M Processor Mac

Image source from Apple Support

Pro Tip 3

To create a USB Bootable macOS Installer, you’ll need a thumb drive or external hard drive with a minimum capacity of 16GB. If you opt for an external hard disk, consider using a high-speed solid-state drive (SSD) like the M.2 type, which can offer read and write speeds of up to 3500MB/s.

Tip 4

Suppose you desire to upgrade to the latest macOS version but Apple has imposed certain limitations. In that case, you can bypass these restrictions and successfully install the latest version on your Mac by utilizing the OpenCore Legacy Patcher. The process involves erasing your hard drive, installing the patcher and then proceeding with the installation of the latest macOS.

OpenCore Legacy Patcher which allow you to upgrade High Sierra to Ventura

Image source from github.io

Pro Tip 4

Before you begin upgrading your macOS version, it is recommended to check the official Apple System Status. This precautionary step will help you avoid getting stuck halfway through the process in case the Apple system is down.

Apple System Status

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