I booted into internet recovery and attempted to re-install OS X El Capitan, however going through the prompts I reach a dead end where it asks me to 'Select the disk where you want to install OS X'. There are no disks listed. Disk Utility in internet recovery also does not list any disks. Clicking Startup Disk underneath the apple sign further. Reinstall macOS. Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. Follow these guidelines during installation: If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't. Virtualising OS X 10.11 El Capitan The ability to virtualise OS X 10.11 El Capitan is important and very useful as it is an easy way to run 32-bit applications that do not run on m Return to site MacStrategy presents this special guide to virtualising Mac OS X / OS X / macOS.

'Can I still upgrade to El Capitan though the official update is outdated?' 'How do I upgrade to El Capitan? I'm using Yosemite, is there a way that can upgrade Yosemite to El Capitan?'

On this page, we collected the complete process of how to upgrade to Mac OX S El Capitain 10.11.6 without losing any data. Follow this guide, you can download and install Mac OS X 10.11.6 on your computer with ease:

PAGE CONTENT:
Check If Your Mac Is Available for El Capitan Update
Prepare Mac Ready Before El Capitan Update
Update Mac OS X to El Capitan (Download OS X 10.11.6)
Bonus Tip: Restore lost data after El Capitan update (without backups)

Tips on this page also work to upgrade macOS Mojave, High Sierra to the latest macOS Big Sur. You may also interest in: update and install macOS.

What Is Mac OS X El Capitan

El Capitan, the last edition known as Mac OS X 10.11.6, is an operating system between Yosemite and macOS Sierra, released on July 18, 2015.

Here is a list of new features that Mac OS X 10.11.6 brings to most old Mac OS X users. And you may feel like downloading and installing the system on your Macs:

  • Support multitask
  • Better performance
  • Better user experience
  • Free download

So how to download or upgrade your Mac computer to El Capitan? Follow through the guides, any one of Mac users can make it.

El Capitan Os X Download

1. Check If Your Mac 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, check whether your Mac computer is available to 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 tips to prepare your Mac OS ready for El Capitan update.

2. Prepare Mac Ready Before 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 updating Mac OS X, follow the tips below carefully:

#1. Hardware Requirement

  • Leave at least 2GB memory and 8.8 GB of storage space on Mac
  • Leave at least 45% battery on Mac
  • Connect Mac to the internet or WiFi
  • Update your Mac Apps to the latest versions

#2. Back Up All Important Mac Data (to An External Disk)

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.

To do so, you have two options:

  • Option 1. Back up all your data via Time Machine
  1. 1. Connect an external hard drive to Mac.
  2. 2. Click the Apple menu icon, click 'System Preference', and click 'Time machine'.
  3. 3. Click 'Select Backup Disk...' and choose the external drive as a backup disk.
  • Option 2. Fully back up your Mac data via reliable Mac backup software

For a step-by-step guide, please follow: How to Back Up Mac without Time Machine for help.

If you have forgotten to backup data, reliable Mac data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard 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)

You can update your Mac OS X to El Capitan now. Follow the below guide to update to El Capitan with ease:

#1. Download and Install Mac OS X from Mac App Store

Step 1. Go to Mac App Store and search El Capitan.

Step 2. Click the Download button for El Capitan.

InstallDisk

Step 3. Click Continue and follow the instructions to install El Capitan on your Mac.

#2. Manually Download El Capitan 10.11.6 from Apple

Here you can also download El Capitan or other new versions of macOS from the Apple support page, and install on your Mac:

When the downloading process is finished, the El Capitan installer will launch automatically. All you just need to follow the onscreen guide to install the Mac OS X 10.11.6 on your Mac computer.

Note that the El Capitan upgrade process will not take long. Just wait patiently to let the El Capitan installation process accomplish on your Mac.

You May Also Interest In:

Don't worry if you meet some problems during the Mac OS X or macOS update process. Click the below troubleshooting guide and follow to resolve the respective issue on your own.

When you encounter macOS update stuck, macOS or Mac OS X update failed, stay calm. Follow this guide to install the desired macOS or Mac OS X on your Mac.

Bonus Tip: Restore Lost Data after Upgrading Mac to El Capitan 10.11.6

If you didn't create backups before the Mac OS X El Capitan update, and you lost some important Mac files after the update process, your last chance is to turn to reliable Mac data recovery software for help.

Here, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is available for you to download and restore all lost files after macOS or Mac OS X update.

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 to restore lost data due to the 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 button to get them all back.

What Else Can EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Do for You?

Besides macOS update file recovery, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard dedicates to restoring lost data for Mac users under complex circumstances, such as:

Install Os X El Capitan No Disk Space

  • Data deletion
  • Mac hard drives formatting
  • Storage device corruption
  • Mac system crash
  • Mac OS X reinstallation

El Capitan Still Works on Old Macs, Go and Get It Now

Don't worry if your Mac computer is not available for updating to Mac OS X El Capitan. Follow this page, you'll see if your computer can install this operating system.

Mac os el capitan install

If yes, follow to download and install this excellent system and renew your Mac computer now. Don't worry if you lost some files during the process, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can bring your files back.

Now, it's your turn. Go and get it now.

Start up from macOS Recovery

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.

Intel processor

Make sure that your Mac has a connection to the internet. Then turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.

If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password.

Reinstall macOS

Os X El Capitan 10.11.6

Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Follow these guidelines during installation:

How To Reinstall Os X El Capitan Without Disk

  • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
  • If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
  • If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
  • Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

After installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

Reinstall Os X El Capitan

  • On an Intel-based Mac: If you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
  • If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you may be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you may be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

Install Os X El Capitan No Disk Mode

  • Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS.
  • Use the App Store or a web browser to download and install an earlier macOS.
  • Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer.