But they’re also what you do if something really bad happens to the copy of OS X that you boot your Mac from, or if the version of OS X on your Mac is earlier than 10.10 El Capitan. In other words, these instructions describe the process for installing, reinstalling, or upgrading OS X El Capitan.
Check compatibility
You can upgrade to OS X El Capitan from OS X Snow Leopard or later on any of the following Mac models. Your Mac also needs at least 2GB of memory and 8.8GB of available storage space.
MacBook introduced in 2009 or later, plus MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
MacBook Air introduced in late 2008 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in mid 2007 or later
Mac mini introduced in early 2009 or later
iMac introduced in mid 2007 or later
Mac Pro introduced in early 2008 or later
Xserve models introduced in early 2009
To find your Mac model, memory, storage space, and macOS version, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu . If your Mac isn't compatible with OS X El Capitan, the installer will let you know.
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 OS X, so make sure that you have a reliable Internet connection. If you're using a Mac notebook computer, plug it into AC power.
Download OS X El Capitan
For the strongest security and latest features, find out whether you can upgrade to macOS Catalina, the latest version of macOS.
If you still need OS X El Capitan, use this link: Download OS X El Capitan. A file named InstallMacOSX.dmg will download to your Mac.
Install the macOS installer
Double-click the downloaded file to open a window showing its contents. Then double-click the file within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg.
Follow the onscreen instructions, which will guide you through the steps necessary to install.
Begin installation
After installation of the installer is complete, open the Applications folder on your Mac, then double-click the file named Install OS X El Capitan.
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.
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 OS X and related updates to your Mac firmware.
Learn more
- OS X El Capitan won't install on top of a later version of macOS, but you can erase your disk first or install on another disk.
- You can use macOS Recovery to reinstall macOS.
Related articles:
Mac Os El Capitan Wikipedia
Make your work go faster with these OS X El Capitan keyboard shortcuts. Print this chart and refer to it while using OS X El Capitan.
Desktop Keyboard Pad For Mac Os El Capitan Installer
Command | Keyboard Shortcut |
---|---|
Add Selected Item to Sidebar | Command+Control+T |
Add Selected Item to Dock | Command+Control+Shift+T |
Close All Windows | Option+Command+W |
Close Window | Command+W |
Copy | Command+C |
Cut | Command+X |
Duplicate | Command+D |
Paste | Command+V |
Eject Disk | Command+E |
Find | Command+F |
Get Info (on selected item or items) | Command+I |
Show Inspector (on selected item or items) | Command+Option+I |
Go to All My Files | Shift+Command+F |
Go to Applications Folder | Shift+Command+A |
Go to Desktop | Shift+Command+D |
Go to Documents Folder | Shift+Command+O |
Go to Home Folder | Shift+Command+H |
Help | Shift+Command+? |
Hide Current Application | Command+H |
Hide Other Applications | Command+Shift+H |
Log Out Current User | Shift+Command+Q |
Make Alias | Command+L |
Minimize Window | Command+M |
Mission Control: All Windows | Control+Up Arrow (F3 on Apple keyboards) |
Mission Control: Application Windows | Control+Down Arrow (Control+F3 on Apple keyboards) |
Mission Control: Show Desktop | F11 (fn+F11 on laptops) (Command+F3 on Apple keyboards) |
Move to Trash | Command+Delete |
Empty Trash | Shift+Command+Delete |
New Finder Window | Command+N |
New Folder | Shift+Command+N |
New Smart Folder | Option+Command+N |
Next Window | Command+` |
Open | Command+O |
Quick Look (at selected item) | Command+Y or Spacebar |
Select All | Command+A |
Show Original (of selected alias) | Command+R |
Show/Hide Dock | Option+Command+D |
Show/Hide Toolbar | Option+Command+T |
Show/Hide Sidebar | Option+Command+S |
Show/Hide Path Bar | Option+Command+P |
Show/Hide Status Bar | Command+/ |
Show/Hide Tab Bar | Shift+Command+T |
Turn VoiceOver On/Off | Command+F5 (fn+F5 on laptops) |
Undo | Command+Z |
Redo | Command+Shift+Z |
View Window as Icons | Command+1 |
View Window as List | Command+2 |
View Window as Columns | Command+3 |
View Window as Cover Flow | Command+4 |
Show View Options | Command+J |