@BookForLife 

You may purchase QBD Mac 2019 or 2020 at the marketplaces.

The crash you are experiencing happens before QuickBooks is actually launched. Its the dynamic linker on macOS (DYLD) reporting that macOS BigSur does not have a symbol for NSComboBoxCell's delegate instance variable.  In English: a part of macOS that your copy of QuickBooks Mac 2016 uses is no longer present in BigSur.

However you are using a very old copy of QuickBooks Mac 2016.  The crash log reports that you are launching version R5.  I believe recent versions of QB Mac 2016 are up in the 30s - R33 or so (hard for me to check right now).  Download a newer version from Intuit's support site - I've given the link out before (Most likely on this thread).

Ultimately though you should be using 2019 or newer for macOS BigSur as 2016 is unsupported. This is your business books - its worth it to use a supported version. 

thank you 

so I downloaded the latest version in the link and replaced my old version 

please see attached the screenshot of the same problem after trying to open it 

am I doing Somenthing wrong?

I would ;like to avoid purchasing a new version

please advise and thank you in advance 

I saw Ailene A replied saying a couple weeks for QB to get up and running for Big Sur. That was in mid-November. Any status updates on that fix? I cant use my QB until this is resolved. 

Thank you

OK, so it has been more than "several" weeks since the final version of Big Sur as been released and yet QuickBooks Pro 2015 Desktop still won't open.  If it doesn't have the ability to open, I can perform company file back-ups, download new versions, etc, etc.  That said, when will this version of QuickBooks be compatible with Big Sur.  Year end closeouts need to be done, tax preparation needs to begin......these delays are unacceptable

Please advise

Good question...when will we be able to access quickbooks desktop using big sur

This is really irritating.  Intuit knew the upgrade was coming and didn't have their ducks lined up.  Get with it folks.  Or better yet some smart person needs to create competitive software.

@Anonymous 

QBD Mac 2016 is outdated. They won't release any patch for it to support BigSur. You should upgrade to QBD Mac 2021.

How do it get all my data from 2016 transferred to 2021 ? Using BigSur 

Hi there, JKPIPE1.

I'll be glad to assist you in transferring your data.

When you upgrade to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop, the program will ask you to upgrade your company file the first time you open it. Take note that you won't be able to open your company file in your original version of QuickBooks. You'll have to upgrade it first to move or convert the data to the new version.

When you're ready here's how to do it:

1. Launch your new version of QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
2. Select File and choose Open Company.
3. Browse to your data file, select your company file and click Open. (If you're unable to see you're company file, you can restore your backup.)
4. Read the info on the upgrade dialog. Choose Upgrade to open.
5. Log in to the company file as the Admin user.
6. Select OK on the following dialog stating the file has been upgraded.

I also recommend reading this article to learn more about the changes, improvements, and features added to this new QuickBooks version: What's new in QBDT for Mac 2021.

Just leave a comment below if you have any other concerns or follow-up questions. The Community always has your back.

Am I correct that after updating to Big Sur, I can no longer use my QuickBooks 2016?  If so, what am I supposed to do?  I am not purchasing QuickBooks 2021 for $399.

Hello there, @RustyJones.

Yes, you're correct. Once you update your file to Big Sur, you're unable to use the QuickBooks Desktop 2016.  

Though, we're unable to provide any workarounds since we based on the system requirements to run the QuickBooks Desktop Mac. The only option, for now, is to upgrade it to the latest version.

In case you want to upgrade your company file in the future, you can follow the steps shared by my colleague above.

In the meantime, here's an article that provides the complete list of system requirements to get the best QBDT experience: System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop . It also includes system compatibility.

Also, I've added this manual that you can use for your future tasks: QuickBooks Desktop for Mac User's Guide 2020.

Please don't hesitate to tag my name in the comment section below if you have other questions with QuickBooks. I'd be glad to help you further. Take care.

SO since I have quickbooks 2015 then i must be really out of luck??  This is so frustrating.  Are you saying years and years of my data is being held hostage for a $399 ransom ?

How about quicken?  I am having the same problem with quicken 2017. 

Are there really zero options unless new software is purchased?  Its a difficult one to accept. 

Hi @jdavis8,

I appreciate you for getting in touch with us about the Big Sur update. I would also feel the same way in that situation if I'm unable to access my QuickBooks.

Each QuickBooks for Mac version has different system requirements. Since we no longer provide updates and add-on services for the 2015 version, it doesn't support the latest Mac OS.

You can check out the QuickBooks for Mac 2015 user guide for the system and compatibility requirements.

For now, I recommend consulting the Apple Support Team to determine if they can revert your Mac OS to the older version. If yes, also seek assistance on how to backup your program files before performing the process.

For your Quicken concern, we have a different support website. Check out this page: https://www.quicken.com/support.

Additionally, you can use this article as an additional reference about how to move data in QuickBooks: Import data into QuickBooks for Mac.

Please know that I'm just a post away if you have any other questions about using QuickBooks for Mac. Take care.

I whole heartedly agree with "busted".  I have QB Mac desktop 2019.  QB runs the same game every year when Apple updates their OS.  A whole slew of users upgrade OS then find their only path to using QB is to buy the new version of QB. Just check year after year on the internet for the same type of posts - "I upgraded OS and now QB won't work - so buy the new version...."  So now I sit and wait to see if QB will ever say my barely 2 yr old QB Mac desktop software will be compatible with Big Sur.

How do I convert QB Mac 2016 to 2019 in Big Sur. I consistently says there is another version open, that I must close first, but there is not another open. What am I missing.

Converting to another version is a breeze, @GC700.

Let's first ensure that your software has the latest release version. To do so, please see this article: Update QuickBooks for Mac to the latest release. 

Once done, end all the running QuickBooks components on your Task Manager. Here's how:

1. Press and hold these three keys together: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape).
2. Then choose QuickBooks Desktop in the Force Quit window and click Force Quit.

Then, convert QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2016 to 2019 again. Just make sure that your device meets the system required requirement for running QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2019.

Here's how to convert your data:

1. Launch your new version of QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
2. Click File and select Open Company.
3. Browse to your data file, choose your company file and click Open.
4. Read the info on the upgrade dialog. Hit Upgrade to open.
5. Log into the company file as the Admin user.
6. Tap OK on the following dialog stating the file has been upgraded.
7. Once the file is upgraded, you'll need to:
   • Store the backup you created in a safe location until you are certain you won't need it again.
   • If you copied the data file from another computer to upgrade it, copy it back again.
   • If you cannot find your data file in its original location and if it is not in the specified folder, search your hard drive for *.qb*, which will find all QuickBooks Company files.

For more info please see page 2 (Installing and upgrading QuickBooks) of QuickBooks for Mac user's guide. 

If you need further assistance about converting your QuickBooks Mac, please leave a comment below. I'm always here to help. Have a good one. 

Intuit has, at least for me, the worst customer service record of any software company I've ever dealt with. I've owned several versions ever since it came out, and have problems every time something like this happens. Thanks, Intuit.

So I signed up for Quickbooks online since I can't open my QB for Mac 2016 any more. Now the problem is how to move the data into QB online, since I can't open the company file. What now? I need to create an invoice.

Hello there, janetinbuhl.

We can download a trial for QuickBooks Mac. From there, we can recover a copy of your company file. First, go to this link and click QuickBooks Mac 2021. There's no need to enter codes when opening the trial. 

Before converting data from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks Online, there are things that we'll need to know. I'd encourage checking this article, so you won't miss a single detail of the important information. Afterward, you can transfer data directly into QuickBooks Online. Here's how:

1. Select QuickBooks on the taskbar on top.
2. Choose Check for QuickBooks Updates and update to the latest version.
3. Once done, restart QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
4. Go to File and select Export > To QuickBooks Online.

Check here for more details. Also, you can check our help articles to learn more about QuickBooks Online.

Let me know if you have other questions. I'm right here whenever you need help. Take care always.

Thank you for responding.

I don't need a trial.

I'm not converting QB 2016 to 2019.

I have a working copy of Quickbooks 2016 for Mac.

Since Quickbooks is not ready for Big Sur, I'm trying to load the software on an older computer in order to keep running until such time as Intuit can get the software updated.

I have tried to register the 2nd computer online and by phone, but there seems to be a disconnect.

There doesn't appear to be any way to make this work.

All I need is to get through the registration process.

When I start the registration process I enter the serial number and the product number, but I get an error.

The server responds that it's not working "right now" and that I should call the 800 number.

When I call the 800 number I am directed to a support page that has information about using the software, but not about registration.

So if you could help me with this last simple step, I would be very appreciative.

Thank you for any help you can give.

Sincerely,

Jim Chase

Quickbooks user since 2004

PS the computer I'm trying to use is running High Sierra so it won't run 2021

Thank you for your loyalty to QuickBooks, @Melvin108.

I'm here to help get your registration process successful so you can get back to working order.

Since you've got an error entering your serial number and product number upon registration, let's perform some troubleshooting steps to get this resolved.

First off, you'll want to check the date and time settings on your Mac to ensure it was set for the current year. Then, proceed with the registration process.

If you still got the same error, let's run the Quick Fix my Program and QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub to run a quick fix on your software. Here's how:

1. Download and install the QuickBooks Tools Hub.
2. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub, then select Program Problems.
3. Click Quick Fix my Program.
4. When the tool finishes, start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file and try to activate it.
5. If it still not fixes the issue, select the Installation Issues in the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
6. Select QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. Let the tool run. It can take up to 20 minutes.
7. Once it's finished, restart your computer and open the QuickBooks data file, then activate it.

If the issue persists, I highly recommend reaching out to our QuickBooks Support Team. This way, they can help you with the registration process and provide additional information about upgrading your product.

You might want to check out this user guide for QuickBooks Desktop Mac: QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2021 User’s Guide.

Keep in touch if you need any more assistance with this, or there's something else I can do for you. I've got your back. Have a good day.