Hello!

I think everyone is trying to ask the same thing and not getting a straightforward answer!

We have updated to Big Sur and now CAN NOT OPEN our books. 

How can we access it (or save it) so that we can run our businesses? 

THIS IS CRAZY!!!

Hi Friendly Capitalists, 

It's really nice to see your effort of making the most money is priority number 1 for the quickbooks team. You're essentially forcing everyone using older versions of quickbooks to purchase unnecessary licenses to upgrade their software that worked perfectly fine. THIS is a prime example of why the market for bootlegged software exists. 

It is now April, is it compatible yet? If so what steps do I need to do to open Quickbooks 2016 with Big Sur?

Hi there, Awesome4. I'm so sorry to hear that the macOS Big Sur update is preventing you from opening QuickBooks 2016.

The QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2016 is already an outdated version. You may consider upgrading to the latest version as suggested above. 

As another option, you can revert to an older Mac OS version compatible with Mac 2016. You can reach out to the Mac support team to downgrade your OS to the previous version.

Here's the list of system requirements for QBDT Mac versions: 

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2019
• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020

Please let me know how else I can help. I'm always around to assist you. Keep safe.

Your comment that QBDT 2016 is already an outdated version is absurd, and quite frankly I would expect more from an Intuit team member. Just because it's outdated doesn't mean that it is not a perfectly fine version for someone who doesn't need all of the features and "bells and whistles" of a newer version. It's quite obvious that Intuit is making its QB software with planned obsolescence as a core value; pseudo- functional obsolescence if you will - if you make software incompatible with future versions of an OS, then you're filling your pockets with money - plain and simple. We all know that's the case here, otherwise Intuit would just provide a patch, or a minimal cost upgrade to be able to run the software on an updated OS...just like most EVERY OTHER COMPANY with a conscience does. My "issue" is, I have to open a Mac QBDT2016 file from archive to get some tax information - to do this, I have to now purchase a version which will work on Big Sur, so that I can then convert the file to Windows QBDT, so that I can then open it to get my information. That, dear friends, is a prime example of racketeering in 2021!! 

The "system requirements" for QBDT is purely an OS thing - it has no relevance to the hardware in the machine since if it will run the OS, it's met the requirements by default. Your comment tripe - a redirect from what the core issue is here. 

Your comment that QBDT 2016 is already an outdated version is absurd, and quite frankly I would expect more from an Intuit team member. Just because it's outdated doesn't mean that it is not a perfectly fine version for someone who doesn't need all of the features and "bells and whistles" of a newer version. It's quite obvious that Intuit is making its QB software with planned obsolescence as a core value; pseudo- functional obsolescence if you will - if you make software incompatible with future versions of an OS, then you're filling your pockets with money - plain and simple. We all know that's the case here, otherwise Intuit would just provide a patch, or a minimal cost upgrade to be able to run the software on an updated OS...just like most EVERY OTHER COMPANY with a conscience does. My "issue" is, I have to open a Mac QBDT2016 file from archive to get some tax information - to do this, I have to now purchase a version which will work on Big Sur, so that I can then convert the file to Windows QBDT, so that I can then open it to get my information. That, dear friends, is a prime example of racketeering in 2021!! 

The "system requirements" for QBDT is purely an OS thing - it has no relevance to the hardware in the machine since if it will run the OS, it's met the requirements by default. Your comment tripe - a redirect from what the core issue is here. 

Good Day ... 

Has the patch work been completed where Quick Books 2016 for Mac Desk Top is compatible with Apple OS Big Sur ... I am curious as of April 29th 2021 ... Thank You ... 

The only thing that worked for me was purchasing 2021 for Mac.  Now the backup is not working and waiting on a patch for that.  Sheesh

The best I could figure out was to purchase 2021.  Otherwise, they were making me crazy.  NOW the backup is not working and needs a patch.  Sheesh

EXACTLY

As someone familiar with Max perhaps you could help me, with this.   I quit using quickBooks after a total disaster due to upgrading a system and haven't used it since I'm looking for a simple program to do a chart of accounts and keep track of my checking account deposits and expenses.  I have ADP to do payroll, I have toast to do my sales, I have an inventory to do my inventory, is there a program that will work on a MacBook Pro running Big Sur and in the future with the MacBook Pro not yet released with M2, which I intend to purchase next year. I just need a simple software that is based in my computer, I don't like working in the cloud . Can you can suggest something that works with Big Sur now and in the future Mac book pro to come.  I would really appreciate your input

thank you, Constance

@Constance222 

BigSur and M1 are the new worlds for all accounting app developers. They need time to develop a new app from scratch and mostly they prefer to develop a web based app instead. Consider purchasing a one time license of QB Desktop (Windows) and run it on Patallels.  

QuickBooks Mac 2021, 2020 and 2019 all work on M1 chips in emulation mode. 

Here we are in July and I still don't see how to open my quickbooks 2016 given that I just updated to Big Sur 11.4.  Can anyone instruct me as to how to get all my information back?  Is it gone?  How do I actually get hold of a PERSON at Quickbooks to help me out?

@frustrated MB 

You are using an outdated version and it won't support BigSur. You have to purchase QBD 2019 or later to run on BigSur.

Apple says you can't go back to the old macOS

Hello there, @TGM51.

Currently, we're unable to downgrade to an older version of macOS once upgraded.

QuickBooks for Mac 2016 R5 or earlier will run with Mac OS 10.11 (El Capitan) and Mac OS 10.10.2 (Yosemite).

For more detailed information about our minimum system requirements, you can check out this article: System Requirements for QuickBooks for Mac older versions. 

Feel free to get back into this thread if you have other questions about QB Mac.

help. I am also running Mac Big Sur 11.5 and now my QB 2016 is incompatible!  I need it daily!!!  what to do?

@K_M_D 

Upgrade to QBD 2021. Utilize the trial license of it prior to purchasing the new license.

That reply was a year ago- is there an update NOW in September of 2021?  Have I lost all my data because I bought a new iMac???

Thanks for joining us here in the Community, @NCGreyhounds.

Let me provide more insights about the system requirement for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

As stated by my peers above, older versions QBDT for Mac no longer compatible with the latest macOS. Unsupported versions of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac and Apple’s new macOS Catalina, can cause data loss and crashes.

Know that Apple recently released macOS v10.15, nicknamed Catalina. As of the Catalina launch date, Intuit will continue to support current versions of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac (2019 and 2020) on the new Catalina operating system.

To fix this matter, you may consider using the latest versions of supported QuickBooks Desktop for Mac products (2019 and 2020).

For complete details about managing data loss in QBDT for Mac, please scan through this reference: Risk of data file corruption and data loss for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac users who attempt to run Q...

I'm also adding here some references about the system requirements for QBDT for Mac: 

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2019
• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020

Keep me in the loop if you have further questions while managing your data. It's my priority to help. Have a good one!

Betty Jane- Mac released Catalina a long time ago.  Current operating system is Big Sur.  I have been using QuickBooks with Catalina on my 2015 iMac (still in front of me ONLY to use QB) while my new 2021 iMac will not run it.  Your response does not mention the current OS...  Do I need to keep a 27" iMac next to my 22" 2021 iMac just so I can save all my QB info and continue to use it???

Cara

Thanks for getting back to us, @NCGreyhounds.

Allow me to share some information about opening your file with your 2021 iMac. The current Mac Operating System (Big Sur) is compatible with QuickBooks for Mac.

All you have to do is update your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac to the later version. Below are the lists of supported versions.

• QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2021 R3 and later versions
• QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020 R6 and later versions
• QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2019 R9 and later versions

If you're done updating, restore or open your file following these steps:

1. Start QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2021 (QBDT for Mac).
2. Choose File and then select Open Company.
3. Pick your file, and then click Open.

I'm attaching this article for your reference: Intuit’s support policy for QuickBooks for Mac running on macOS 11 Big Sur.

Additionally, here's a link that covers all the tasks you can do when using QBDT for Mac: Browse all articles for your product.

Reach out to me anytime if you have follow-up questions or concerns with opening your file. I'll be here for you. Have a great day ahead.

Does this mean there will be a fix so that older desktop versions of Quickbooks will eventually work?