Whether or not you've downloaded it in the past, you can now download OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (6.21 GB) via this link which will open first in the Browser, then in the App Store. OS X El Capitan. This version of OS X El Capitan is for users running OS X Snow Leopard who would like to upgrade to macOS Sierra.
- MacOS Sierra requires at least 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space and will run on:. iMac: Late 2009 or newer. MacBook and MacBook 12-inch: Late 2009 or newer. MacBook Pro: Mid 2010 or newer. MacBook Air: Late 2010 or newer. Mac Mini: Mid 2.
- Here’s how to download Mac OS X El Capitan DMG file also. MacOS X El Capitan is a stable version of OS X and it is quite different and known as the advanced version of Mac. This operating system contains countless supplements and a variety of work capacities. In this launch, Apple primarily concentrated on compatibility, security, and stability.
- My MacBook is running Mojave and I need to instal El Capitan on my iMac (what was on it before I needed to replace a bad hard drive) so I can’t get it to download using my MacBook through legitimate Apple sources. That link Aaron provided is from Apple and since I am running Mojave I can’t download it.
This tutorial article offers you with direct links to download El Capitan 10.11.6/10.11.4/10.11.2 and detail guidance to update Mac OS X to El Capitan without losing data. To do so, back up your Mac data first and then upgrade the Mac OS X. If you lost data during the Mac OS X upgrade process, download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to restore your lost data immediately. (Tips on this page are also applicable to upgrade the latest macOS Mojave, High Sierra, etc.)
PAGE CONTENT:
- 1. Check whether your Mac device is available for El Capitan update
- 2. Prepare Mac Ready for the El Capitan Update
- 3. Update Mac OS X to El Capitan (Download OS X 10.11.6)
- Bonus Tip: Restore lost data after El Capitan update (without backups)
This page collects complete process for all old Mac OS X users to follow and upgrade their Mac into Mac El Capitan. (Tips on this page are also applicable to upgrade the latest macOS Mojave, High Sierra, etc.)
If you want to update Mac OS X to a higher version, you should follow this tutorial guide for help: update and install macOS Sierra.
1. Check whether your Mac device is available for El Capitan update
Before you take steps to update your present Mac OS X to El Capitan 10.11.6/10.11.2, it's highly recommended that you check whether your Mac computer and present OS X is available for download and install the new El Capitan. Check the below list and see whether your device or OS X can get the new update:
Supported Mac devices:
- iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
- MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, Early 2009, or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2007 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
- Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (Early 2009)
Available OS X for El Capitan:
- OS X Yosemite v10.10
- OS X Mavericks v10.9
- OS X Mountain Lion v10.8
- OS X Lion v10.7
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8
If your Mac OS X and devices are just right on the list, read on and follow below tips to prepare your Mac OS ready for El Capitan update.
2. Prepare Mac Ready for the El Capitan Update
Let's see what you should do to prepare your Mac devices fully ready for the new El Capitan 10.11.6, etc. update. And if this is your first time to update Mac OS X, follow tips below carefully:
- Leave at least 2GB memory and 8.8 GB storage space on your Mac
- Leave at least 45% battery on your Mac
- Connect Mac to the internet or WiFi
- Update your Mac Apps to the latest versions
- Back up all your personal data and even create backups for your present Mac OS X through Time Machine
It's vitally important to back up important data on Mac to external storage devices, which will certainly help to avoid data loss issues due to Mac OS X update.
If you have forgotten to backup data, you may suffer data loss issue on Mac. And Mac data recovery software is the best tool to help you restore lost data. So now, you can follow the next tutorial tips to update your present Mac OS X into El Capitan.
3. Update Mac OS X to El Capitan (Download OS X 10.11.6)
So now you can update your Mac OS X to El Capitan now. Follow below steps and then update to El Capitan with ease:
Step 1. Go to Mac App Store and search El Capitan on Mac App Store or you can directly go the El Capitan page.
Step 2. Click the Download button for El Capitan. And here you can download the newest El Capitan or the exact version such as 10.11.6,10.11.4, 10.11.2, etc., and install on your Mac:
- Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (Offered by Apple)
- Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.4 (Offered by Apple)
- Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (Offered by Apple)
When the downloading process is finished, the El Capitan installer will launch automatically.
If you are planning to download the latest macOS system like Mojave or High Sierra, go to Mac App Store and download the latest macOS.
Step 3. Click Continue and follow the instructions on your Mac device screen to install El Capitan on your Mac.
Should I Install El Capitan On My Macbook Pro
Usually, the process will not take you too long and just wait patiently to let the El Capitan installation process accomplish on your Mac. After this, you can restore your Mac backups from Time Machine and get all those data back to your Mac so to reuse them again.
Bonus Tip: Restore lost data after El Capitan update
This offer is specially designed for Mac users who have no backups or have forgotten to create data backup images after Mac OS X El Capitan update. If you have no Mac data backups and lost important data on Mac, EaseUS Mac data recovery software can help.
EaseUS Mac data recovery software, also named EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, dedicates to restoring lost data for Mac users under complex circumstances such as data deletion, Mac hard drives formatting, storage devices corruption, even system crash or OS X reinstallation.
This software is fully compatible with all Mac OS X such as El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks and the latest new macOS Mojave, High Sierra, etc. Download it and follows below steps to restore lost data due to El Capitan update now.
Step 1. Where was data lost after operating system update? Choose the location and click Scan.
Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane.
Step 3. After the scan, select the target files that were unknowingly lost during or after the update and click Recover Now button to get them all back.
macOS Catalina gives you more of everything you love about Mac. Experience music, TV, and podcasts in three all-new Mac apps. Enjoy your favorite iPad apps now on your Mac. Extend your workspace and expand your creativity with iPad and Apple Pencil. And discover smart new features in the apps you use every day. Now you can take everything you do above and beyond.
Check compatibility
If you're using one of these computers with OS X Mavericks or later,* you can install macOS Catalina. Your Mac also needs at least 4GB of memory and 12.5GB of available storage space, or up to 18.5GB of storage space when upgrading from OS X Yosemite or earlier.
MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
iMac introduced in 2012 or later
iMac Pro (all models)
Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
iMac introduced in 2012 or later
iMac Pro (all models)
Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
* To upgrade from Lion or Mountain Lion, first upgrade to El Capitan, then upgrade to Catalina. To find your macOS version, Mac model, memory, and storage space, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu . If your Mac isn't compatible with macOS Catalina, the installer will let you know. View the complete list of compatible computers.
Make a backup
Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.
Get connected
It takes time to download and install macOS, so make sure that you have a reliable Internet connection. If you're using a Mac notebook computer, plug it into AC power.
Download macOS Catalina
If you're using macOS Mojave, get macOS Catalina via Software Update: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Software Update.
Apple El Capitan Download
Or use this link to open the macOS Catalina page on the App Store: Get macOS Catalina. Then click the Get button or iCloud download icon.
Begin installation
After downloading, the installer opens automatically.
Click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You might find it easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.
If the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool, enter the administrator name and password that you use to log in to your Mac, then click Add Helper.
Allow installation to complete
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart, show a progress bar, or show a blank screen several times as it installs both macOS and related updates to your Mac firmware.
Stay up to date
After installing macOS Catalina, you will be notified when updates to macOS Catalina are available. You can also use Software Update to check for updates: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Software Update.
Or get macOS Catalina automatically
If you're using OS X El Capitan v10.11.5 or later and your App Store preferences or Software Update preferences are set to download new updates when available, macOS Catalina will download conveniently in the background, making it even easier to upgrade. A notification will inform you when macOS Catalina is ready to be installed. Click Install to get started, or dismiss the notification to install later. When you're ready to install, just open the file named Install macOS Catalina from your Applications folder.
Learn more
- If the installer shows a list of apps that are not optimized for your Mac, learn about 32-bit app compatibility, then choose whether to proceed with the installation.
- For the strongest security and latest features, upgrade to macOS Catalina. If you have hardware or software that isn't compatible with Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, or El Capitan.
- You can also use macOS Recovery to reinstall macOS.