Does Google Drive work on El Capitan?

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Jan 15, 2021 9:47 PM in response to David McKinlay

I have an early 2009 iMac with OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan). In December I kept getting messages that Backup and Sync version 3.49.9900 was "deprecated" and would no longer be supported. I was directed to update my OS, which, of course, I cannot do, and install the latest Backup and Sync. Here it is January 2021 and Google was right: B & S v3.49.9900 has indeed stopped working, and I believe this time it's for good. Apple has pulled the plug on El Capitan. and now Google has also pulled the plug on El Capitan. 

Even worse: I can't get a decent ad blocker (uBlock) for Safari anymore; I was told to go to the Google Chrome Store and download the Chrome browser and then download uBlock as an extension. I see why folks get discouraged and turn to Linux. Windows users ALWAYS had a good reason to turn to Linux, but now some of us OS X users have to follow them. Make no mistake: there's really no substitute for being able to download the latest version of macOS and all that goes with it.

Question marked as Apple recommended

Jan 7, 2021 6:10 AM in response to Mgaverde

Not apparently - Google says here that 10.12 Sierra or later is required for Backup and Sync.

Any workaround for this issue?

Install Sierra or later.

Jan 7, 2021 6:14 AM in response to David McKinlay

Here it comes the problem: I'm still running a mid-2009 Macbook Pro, so upgrading Mac OS is not an option any more.

The most annoying thing is that Backup and Sync was running fine, before Google interrupted the service few days ago.

Anyhow, thank you for your reply, which may be still useful for other users.

Jan 8, 2021 9:29 AM in response to Mgaverde

Does anyone know where I can find a working download for MacOs Sierra- every versin including the apple download has failed to work

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Jan 15, 2021 9:47 PM in response to David McKinlay

I have an early 2009 iMac with OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan). In December I kept getting messages that Backup and Sync version 3.49.9900 was "deprecated" and would no longer be supported. I was directed to update my OS, which, of course, I cannot do, and install the latest Backup and Sync. Here it is January 2021 and Google was right: B & S v3.49.9900 has indeed stopped working, and I believe this time it's for good. Apple has pulled the plug on El Capitan. and now Google has also pulled the plug on El Capitan. 

Even worse: I can't get a decent ad blocker (uBlock) for Safari anymore; I was told to go to the Google Chrome Store and download the Chrome browser and then download uBlock as an extension. I see why folks get discouraged and turn to Linux. Windows users ALWAYS had a good reason to turn to Linux, but now some of us OS X users have to follow them. Make no mistake: there's really no substitute for being able to download the latest version of macOS and all that goes with it.

Jan 17, 2021 4:46 AM in response to Mgaverde

As mentioned below the advice to install Mac OS X Sierra (or higher) is correct.

However installing that may not be so simple if you can not find Sierra in the Apple store.

Here is how to install Sierra in that case: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

Please note that the file downloaded will NOT change the OS, it will just install the Installer for Sierra, Next you have to run the Installer for Sierra to change the OS.

You may also choose to add an internal or external SSD disk to install Sierra onto, but that is another topic. It may speed up your system remarkably especially when you replace the internal hard disk by an internal SSD disk.

Jan 17, 2021 9:39 PM in response to gpaulissen

We may have a misunderstanding here, because my ancient (early 2009) iMac supposedly does not support anything beyond 10.11.6.

So, what is the point of installing the Installer for Sierra?

Jan 17, 2021 9:43 PM in response to gpaulissen

• These Mac models are compatible with macOS Sierra:MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

Mine is Early 2009. This means I'm SOL.

Jan 17, 2021 10:02 PM in response to simonsdad

simonsdad - this thread has become somewhat muddled and I think that gpaulissen's tips about Sierra were in response to the query from WalkervillePublishing rather than yourself. This query should have been posted as a new thread.

However, your problem is insoluble with your current 2009 iMac which is simply not capable of running the software you wish to use. It is categorised by Apple as obsolete, and has been so for some time. I have a 2009 MacBook Pro, and another family member has a 2009 iMac and these are not used for much now beyond documents, email and browsing - and even that is becoming difficult as it falls behind in security requirements.

I'll have a look at it so see if the ad blocker I had on it still works and if it does will report back.

Jan 17, 2021 11:21 PM in response to David McKinlay

simonsdad, I installed an ad blocker called Ad and Stuff Blocker. It's a free Safari extension and I downloaded it from my local Mac App store.

After restarting my El Capitan system it successfully blocked ads in Safari (11.1.2) on my MBP 2009 on a few test sites I visited including a few news sites which are notorious for ads. I hope this might be an option for your Mac.

Jan 18, 2021 7:59 AM in response to David McKinlay

David,

That sounds good! I will give it a try later today/tonight. Thank you!

I like the fact that Apple HARDWARE holds up well over the years. It’s too bad that’s contrary to their business model of replacing your iToy every 3-4 years. If machine and I are still flying in, say, 5 years from now, I know it’ll be able to run some distro of Linux.

For the record, I also have a late 2019 MBA running the latest macOS.

Jan 18, 2021 8:38 PM in response to David McKinlay

I downloaded and installed Ad and Stuff Blocker per your suggestion. I restarted Safari, and subsequently, I rebooted the machine. Alas, on a few of the comic strip sites I frequent, not only were the ads blocked, but also the content ("and stuff", right?). And on one of my favorite radio broadcasting sites, the ads were still there; on another site, it was required that I log in, but I wasn't able to.

Amazing how sites are treating legacy (i.e., no longer supported) versions of Safari.

Still, thank you for the suggestion.

Feb 5, 2021 11:01 PM in response to David McKinlay

Has anyone come up with a fix for users with older Mac's that cannot install anything higher that 10.11.6?

Would this work: https://github.com/Wykleph/OSX-El-Capitan-10.11.6-Google-Backup-Sync-Fix ?

Feb 7, 2021 9:31 PM in response to thutch2764

I had been running 3.49 for quite some time and then around the 1st of the new year it ceased to function. Below is the notification I've been getting since BU & S stopped operating

Feb 10, 2021 5:02 AM in response to Mgaverde

I found a solution:

1) Install macFuse

2) Instal and configure rclone

(in the step when he asks your google user name in the terminal, leave it empty, otherwise google OAuth2 doesn't work)

enjoy!

Cheers

Feb 19, 2021 9:21 AM in response to Mgaverde

I bought new MacBook Air and I cannot install google drive ? what is that ? this is urgent