How to update a MacBook Air running macOS 10.9.5

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Level 1

4 points

How to update a MacBook Air running macOS 10.9.5

I just discovered my “new” MacBook Air that was hopelessly lost 5 years ago during a very stressful cross-country move during the peak-COVID chaos. I have been searching for it on and off since I moved/lost it but I never found it.. I finally decided it must’ve been stolen. But I couldn’t justify buying a replacement, especially since it was my fault it got lost. Plus I had to pay off that purchase even though it was lost, cause I hadn’t insured it and also never turned on “find my” on it. It was so frustrating!

Anyways, I just started a new project of scanning old childhood. photos.. and what do you know, I found my laptop in that dang bin. I must’ve put it in there when the movers started loading the van, knowing that the pics bin was going in the car, then forgot I had put it there for safe keeping!! Ugh. Who knows how I forgot.

ANYWAYS, now that I’ve found it, I’ve been desperately trying to use it, but nothing works very well because everything on it is so outdated (macOS is 10.9.5) and it doesn’t even sync with my iPhone, I keep getting errors. Safari doesn’t even work right, so I am having trouble googling or connecting to anything to try to find the right OS to run on it.. I think all the problems are because it’s running on such an outdated OS??

Is it possible for me to update this old of a version of Mac OS?? It literally was only a few months old when I misplaced it, I am hoping I can update it?? Id hate to not be able to get some use out of it??

HELP!!! :)

Posted on Jun 3, 2025 7:47 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2025

Level 10

737,717 points

Jun 3, 2025 7:51 PM in response to Kotadota

Back up your data, check the application compatibility table, click here, and then on the download link for a newer OS. Your computer can be upgraded at least as far as El Capitan.

Catalina and above won't run 32-bit software and split the functions of iTunes up; if you choose one of them, use Go64 as well.

(260431)

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,710 points

Jun 3, 2025 8:13 PM in response to Kotadota

Kotadota (Author)

This inquiry is similar to a thread some years ago where

credible reply was offered; some of that could still apply:

2014 Mac Book Air Stuck at 10.9.5 - Apple Community

//discussions.apple.com/thread/251265555?answerId

While looking back, time passed; & an answer was given.

A few of mine were updated past there. Take care!

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jun 3, 2025 9:16 PM in response to Kotadota

Please determine the hardware model year of your MacBook Air, by selecting About This Mac… in the Apple () menu.

If it is

Late 2008 or Mid 2009 – You can upgrade as far as El Capitan, but no further.
Late 2010 or Mid 2011 – You can upgrade as far as High Sierra, but no further.
Mid 2012 – You can upgrade as far as Catalina, but no further.
Mid 2013 through Early 2014 – You can upgrade as far as Big Sur, but no further.

All other MacBook Airs are too old or to new to be running 10.9.5.

Catalina and Big Sur are no longer among the "most recent three" supported by vendors like Adobe and Microsoft, but if your MacBook Air is new enough to run one of them, there are other applications you could run to extend the useful life of that Mac. (E.g., current versions of Firefox and LibreOffice)

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Answer 4

TheLittles

Level 10

200,592 points

Jun 3, 2025 10:00 PM in response to Kotadota

"How to update a MacBook Air running macOS 10.9.5: [...]Id hate to not be able to get some use out of it??"

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Getting Something Out of an Old Mac:

Well, if you were to use it for a Virtual Machine (VM), you'd be able to run Windows-in-a-window. VMWare Fusion would work, if you could get a compatible version. Windows 10 supported ends in just a few months, but you may be able to get more out of it through a VM, than you think. So, look for VM software you have laying around. Nowadays, VMWare only permits annual licensing, and getting an other license would be tough to come by. Enable FTP in the server settings of the VM, and you'd be able to access items from within the MacOS.

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