There can be several reasons why your MacBook Pro won’t upgrade to Catalina. Let’s explore some possible causes and solutions:
1. Incompatible hardware: Catalina has stricter hardware requirements compared to previous macOS versions. If your MacBook Pro is an older model, it may not meet these requirements. To check compatibility, go to the Apple menu, click on ‘About This Mac,’ and select ‘System Report.’ Under ‘Hardware,’ click on ‘Model Identifier’ and search for your model online to see if it supports Catalina.
2. Insufficient storage space: As mentioned earlier, not having enough storage space is a common reason for upgrade failures. Catalina requires at least 15GB of free space on your hard drive. To check your available storage, go to the Apple menu, click on ‘About This Mac,’ and select ‘Storage.’ If you don’t have enough space, you can free up some by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an external storage device.
3. Incompatible software: Some third-party software or drivers may not be compatible with Catalina, causing upgrade issues. Check with the developers of any critical software you rely on to ensure their compatibility with Catalina. You can also try disabling or uninstalling any non-essential software before attempting the upgrade.
4. Unsupported 32-bit apps: Catalina only supports 64-bit apps, so any 32-bit apps you have installed will not work after the upgrade. Before upgrading, check the ‘Applications’ section in ‘System Report’ to identify any 32-bit apps. Update them to their latest versions or find alternatives that are compatible with Catalina.
5. Internet connection issues: A stable and reliable internet connection is crucial for a successful upgrade. Make sure you have a stable connection before attempting the upgrade. If you’re using Wi-Fi, try connecting via Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
6. Insufficient system resources: If your MacBook Pro has low RAM (Random Access Memory) or a slow processor, it may struggle to handle the demands of Catalina. Check the system requirements for Catalina and compare them to your MacBook Pro’s specifications. If your hardware is lacking, consider upgrading your RAM or considering a newer MacBook Pro model.
7. Corrupted system files or disk errors: Sometimes, corrupted system files or disk errors can prevent the upgrade from completing. To fix this, you can try running Disk Utility to repair disk permissions and check for any disk errors. You can find Disk Utility in the ‘Utilities’ folder within the ‘Applications’ folder.
8. Apple server issues: Occasionally, Apple’s server may experience temporary issues or high traffic, which can affect the download and installation process. If you suspect this is the case, wait for some time and try the upgrade again later.
These are some possible reasons why your MacBook Pro won’t upgrade to Catalina. By troubleshooting each potential issue, you should be able to identify the cause and resolve it. If you’re still having trouble, it may be helpful to reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.