Upgrade from Lion ?

[HallStevenson]

I just got a Macbook Air that is still running the original OS of Lion. The person I got it from did wipe it and the only options I'm seeing are to re-install Lion. Even booting with Cmd+Option+R gives me Lion only while it's supposed to install the latest OS that's compatible. High Sierra will actually install on this model although it needs to get to Mountain Lion and then it can go to more recent versions.

What options do I have here ? From the App Store, it only offers a Lion "patch", a security update, and things like iTunes, etc. Searching for El Capitan, Mountain Lion, etc give no results.

 

[Superspeed500]

Even booting with Cmd+Option+R gives me Lion only while it's supposed to install the latest OS that's compatible.

From the Apple support page:
If you haven't already updated to macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the version closest to it that is still available.

What happens if you follow this link: https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12. Will it allow you to open it in the app store? Maybe you can follow the instructions from here to install El capitan?

 

[ZapNZs]

Which MBA generation is this and what are the specs?

 

[HallStevenson]

It's a 4,1 model. It "can" run up to High Sierra currently.
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What happens if you follow this link: https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12. Will it allow you to open it in the app store? Maybe you can follow the instructions from here to install El capitan?

El Capitan shows up in my "purchased" list (from my other MBA) and I'm already downloading it, in fact. I can also download (and am) High Sierra but will just keep it as a back-up for now. Going to try that link from the MBA in question first as it will be easier to install vs making a bootable disk.