Mar 14, 2015 Unless your computer originally shipped with Yosemite, yes. The newest OS which can be installed without being tied to an Apple ID is the higher of the computer’s original OS or 10.6.8(or 10.7.5 if you happen to have bought a Lion USB thumbdrive). Oct 06, 2020 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 Yosemite, the installer will let you know.
OS X 10.10, codenamed Syrah and officially named Yosemite, is the 2014 version of the Mac operating system from Apple, released on October 16, 2014. OS X 10.10 was shown off at WWDC 2014 on June 2. In addition to new features, OS X brings interface and experience refinements to Apple's desktop operating system, similar in spirit if not exact execution to the iOS 7 makeover of 2013 — interface depth and translucency effects, textual clarity and other elements to improve the overall user experience.
But that's just scratching the surface. There are a ton of new features under the hood.
OS X 10.10 Yosemite design language
Last year Jony Ive and Apple's design team spent so much time working on iOS 7's new look, OS X mostly got the linen and the leather — if not the felt — stripped out but not much else. The intent was always to go back and give OS X the design attention it deserved as well.
Yosemite employs clearer, smarter and easier-to-understand controls, with streamline toolbars, translucent elements and clean, consistent icon design. An updated system font also improves readability. Depth, deference and clarity are the design guidelines Apple first employed in iOS 7, and now we're seeing that work continue over to Yosemite.
Continuity
Apple doesn't seem compelled to blur the lines between iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 as much as obliterate them, at least where it makes sense to. Continuity is what Apple's calling that — design that enables one device to complement the other. Handoff, for example, lets you start an activity on your iPad or iPhone and continue it on your Mac. And Instant Hotspot lets your Mac use your phone more easily. SMS and MMS messages sent to your phone will automatically appear in Messages on all your devices; you can even make and receive phone calls on your Mac when your iPhone is on the same network.
OS X 10.10 and AirDrop
AirDrop debuted on the Mac but after several initial attempts to bring it to iOS were shot down as overly complex, the version that finally shipped in iOS 7 wasn't even compatible with the Mac.
That changes with OS X 10.10 as the teams at Apple get their protocols back in sync and their cross-platform beaming fully in order.
OS X 10.10 Notification Center
Notification Center gets a rework with the new Today view — a quick look at everything you need to know. Apple's also introducing Notification Center Widgets to help you view your calendar, weather, stocks, reminders and a World Clock, and the API is open for developers to use to create custom Widgets that can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.
OS X 10.10 Spotlight
Spotlight's now in the Spotlight. Apple's search feature in OS X has been taken out of the realm of just file search; now it can find applications (making it a potential replacement for Apple's Launchpad app) and content on the Internet (putting it toe to toe with the popular third-party tool Alfred). It will view search results from Wikipedia, the App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store and more.
iCloud Drive
Apple's integration with cloud-based storage and services continues with 10.10 and iOS 8 thanks to iCloud, which lets you store any kind of file online. It also works with a Windows PC.
OS X 10.10 bottom line
The Mac's operating system is beyond mature, but there's huge room for improvement. Apple's moving iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 together, forward, for a new era of interdevice and intersystem communication. Stay with us as we provide you with more details.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Buy Yosemite Apple Tree
Reinstall from macOS Recovery
macOS Recovery makes it easy to reinstall the Mac operating system, even if you need to erase your startup disk first. All you need is a connection to the Internet. If a wireless network is available, you can choose it from the Wi-Fi menu , which is also available in macOS Recovery.
1. Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following sets of keys on your keyboard. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen.
Command (⌘)-R
Reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac (recommended).
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
You might be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password or the password of a user who is an administrator of this Mac. Enter the requested password to continue.
When you see the utilities window, you have started up from macOS Recovery.
2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk
Buy Yosemite Apple Cider
You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, or you have an issue that requires you to erase. If you need to erase before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. Learn more about when and how to erase.
3. Install macOS
When you're ready to reinstall macOS, choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window. Then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You will be asked to choose a disk on which to install.
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 is for a different version of macOS than you expected, learn about macOS Recovery exceptions.
If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
Apple store thunderbolt hard drive. Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.
If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but 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.
Buy Yosemite Apple Watch Bands
macOS Recovery exceptions
The version of macOS offered by macOS Recovery might vary in some cases:
If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later has never been installed on this Mac, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. And Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
If you erased your entire disk instead of just the startup volume on that disk, macOS Recovery might offer only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. You can upgrade to a later version afterward.
If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, Option-Command-R installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
If you just had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, macOS Recovery might offer only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
If you can't get macOS Recovery to offer the installer you want, you might be able to use one of the other ways to install macOS.
Buy Yosemite Apple Orchards
Other ways to install macOS
Buy Yosemite Os
You can also install macOS from the App Store or Software Update preferences. If you can't install macOS Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite.
Or create a bootable installer disk, then use that disk to install macOS on your Mac or another Mac.