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GarageBand and High Sierra

Y

Yoka

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 27, 2020
6
2
I bought my first used iMac (21,5 mid-2010) just to be used with GarageBand in small home studio. iMac with same specs worked well enough at my friends home studio. I freshly installed High Sierra 10.13.6. It was a very big disappointment to notice that it’s not possible to install GarageBand to this old version (requires MacOS 11 which is not supported by this old iMac). I’m not willing to buy Logic Pro X, I really liked the easiness of GarageBand.

I don’t have friends with newer MacOS versions and I haven’t installed GarageBand before. Is there anything that can be done? Thanks for reading!
 
GarageBand is Free and older versions should be available on the App store under your Apple ID ? - once your mac is registered to your Apple ID ?
 
mikzn said:
GarageBand is Free and older versions should be available on the App store under your Apple ID ? - once your mac is registered to your Apple ID ?
Click to expand...
Thank you for your message. Unfortunately App Store offers only newest version 10.4.2 for me of GarageBand (no earlier purchase done). When trying to install it, I get an error message: ”unable to install, macOS 11 or newer is needed”. MacOS 10.3.16 is the newest available to this older iMac.

I don’t know what GarageBand version would be the last one supported by High Sierra. I wonder if there might be any safe place to look for and download the older version?
 
Sounds like you will need to find a copy of an older version of Garage band - prior to 10.3.5 - any version prior to this can be upgraded once installed

Apple used to have older versions available - but now it seems they have removed them and everything points to the app store - at the bottom of the left hand side if you click on your name it should show purchased and available software that you can download (includes prior versions) most likely this may not work since you purchased the unit "used" so there is no "Purchases"

If you have any disks the previous owner supplied or perhaps they have a back up of the old version of GarageBand they can give you? Once you have an older version installed you should be able to update it to the most recent version for your iMac

Perhaps your friend can copy the app for you on a USB thumb drive - if it is a version prior to 10.3.5 it should be easy to do - just copy the app and then drop the app into the "applications folder"
 
mikzn said:
Perhaps your friend can copy the app for you on a USB thumb drive - if it is a version prior to 10.3.5 it should be easy to do - just copy the app and then drop the app into the "applications folder"
Click to expand...
This sounds a very good tip! I didn’t know that it would be possible to copy program package and setting files to another disk and get a working program just placing files to correct folders. It’s not possible in Windows. It doesn’t even look difficult.

I must visit my friend with USB thumb drive (and some cookies + coffee). Thank you very much for your help!
 
Ha Ha - cookies and and a Latte sounds like a good deal to me ☕️ 👍

there is only one file you need - the application file - put it into the application folder and open it - once you open it you should be able to download the loops and samples - which can take a long time - sometimes 5- 6 hours

hope it works and have fun !

garageband.png
 
Yoka said:
This sounds a very good tip! I didn’t know that it would be possible to copy program package and setting files to another disk and get a working program just placing files to correct folders. It’s not possible in Windows. It doesn’t even look difficult.

I must visit my friend with USB thumb drive (and some cookies + coffee). Thank you very much for your help!
Click to expand...

Go into the Mac App Store and look under “Purchases” and you will likely see an older version of Garage Band, among your other apps. Use that link to download and it should work.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Go into the Mac App Store and look under “Purchases” and you will likely see an older version of Garage Band, among your other apps. Use that link to download and it should work.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately my purchases tab is all empty. I’ll try copying the app from friends same specs iMac.
 
Copying app file to my computer worked fine and GarageBand worked immediately after copying without any problems. AppStore also gave possibility to update the app.

Even sound card was recognized without any adjustment. With Windows and Linux it always took hours to set up everything to be able to record guitar. First impression is thus quite good. :)

Thank you for helping newbie like me!
 
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Yoka said:
Copying app file to my computer worked fine and GarageBand worked immediately after copying without any problems. AppStore also gave possibility to update the app.

Even sound card was recognized without any adjustment. With Windows and Linux it always took hours to set up everything to be able to record guitar. First impression is thus quite good. :)

Thank you for helping newbie like me
Click to expand...
hi I have same issue can you send my the file to jtmade6@gmail.com
 
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