Mac OS Big Sur

Hi there, @Healthyway.

It's my pleasure to provide insights about updating QuickBooks for Mac 2020 in OS Big Sur. 

Currently, OS Big Sur is under Beta, which means QuickBooks for Mac product doesn't fully support. I'd recommend waiting for the updates as to when Big Sur is fully compatible before upgrading your Mac to avoid some unexpected behavior. 

For more details, visit this article: Intuit’s support policy for QuickBooks for Mac running on macOS 11 Big Sur. 

With this, please keep an eye on our QuickBooks Blog. This way, you'll be guided with updates about Big Sur and newly published highlights in QuickBooks.

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

Let me know if you have follow-up questions. I'm always here, ready to help. 

From everything I read none of the QB versions are working with Big Sur.  How can I access the info on various clients that I was using prior to loading Big Sur?  Help, I don't really know what to tell my 5 clients!

Hello there, @joeyc126.

Let me get the help you need in opening your company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac. 

To isolate and fix the issue, I have some basic troubleshooting steps you can perform. This is by finding the company file manually in your system.

To do it, here's how:

1. Go to the File menu at the top.
2. Tap Open or Restore Company.
3. Pick Open a Company File, then select Next.
4. Find the company file, then choose it.
5. Hit Open.

If you're unable to see it, the workaround available is to restore the company file. If you have a recent backup copy, please follow these steps:

1. Double-click the backup file. This opens a new window that shows a copy of your company file. If you have attached documents in your backup, you should also see a folder called Attachments Library.
2. Drag the copy of your company file to the folder where you keep your QuickBooks company. If you see Attachments Library, drag the folder to the same location.
3. Open your QuickBooks for Mac.
4. Pick Browse.
5. Go to the folder where you saved the copy of the company file. Select the company file, then Open.
6. A prompt lets you know that you are opening a backup file. Select Continue.
7. Enter a name for the company file, then Save.
8. Select OK.

If ever you're unsure of the location of your backup files, see below steps:

1. Go to the QuickBooks menu at the top.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Tap Backup.
4. Click Reveal Backup Folder, then double-click the folder where you save your backup files.
5. You can select Date Modified to sort by date and see your most recent backup.

On the other hand, about the information on when our engineers will update our program to support Big Sur, that is something we can't provide at the moment. Our developers are working internally when it comes to product changes.

To stay updated with the changes, our developers will post them here:

• Intuit’s support policy for QuickBooks for Mac running on macOS 11 Big Sur
• Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020

If you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to let me know. I'd be here to help. Take care.

Hi MIrriam,

Unfortunely, this did not work.  I cannot get my QB app to even open to go to the file menu or open a backup file.  Any other suggestions?

Joey

Hi there, @joeyc126.

I'm here to share some fixes so you can access your clients' info.

Before doing so, you can uninstall and reinstall your QuickBooks for Mac since you're unable to run it in the operating system.

Then, you can tell them to save their company file for QuickBooks Mac Desktop then save it to a removable device.

Here's how:

1. Click File, then Utilities, and then Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
2. Save the file on the removable device.
3. Then, you can send it to your Mac.

They can also keep it on the desktop window and attach it to their email. This way, they can send it to you via email to download it to your Mac.

Then follow these steps to restore their files to your QuickBooks for Mac:

1. Open QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
2. Click the File menu, and then Restore.
3. Locate the copy, and then click Open. Click OK when prompted.
4. Enter the name of the company file, then click Save.

If you already have a copy of your data on your Mac, please follow these steps:

1. Go to the File menu and then click Close Company.
2. Choose their company file from the No Company Open window.
3. Click Open.

You can reference this resource for more information: Resolve Problems Opening QuickBooks Desktop or your Company File.

Also, I'll be adding this fix shared by one of our Community backers on what to do when you can't log in to your Company file: IntuitBrooks.

Please let me know how it goes. I'll wait for your response here to help you all the way. Stay safe and well, Joey!

Hello,

I tried what you said but it did not work.  Let me make sure we are on the same page.  I have QB16 on my desktop and am operating with Big Sur.  I have the data of 5 companies on my computer that I can not open. 

Please clarify when you say go to the file menu which you mean, is it in QB or is it the QB file or something else?  I tried to open the QB but could never get an option to close. One example is anniesplace.qb2016 file...Please walk me through how I can open it and add transactions to it.  

Thanks

Jo

I'm here to share additional information, @joeyc126.

Let me first make sure that you're QuickBooks Mac 2020 is updated to the latest released version. Here's how:

1. Uninstall QuickBooks for Mac.
   1. Close QuickBooks.
   2. From the Finder menu, select Go Applications.
   3. Drag the QuickBooks icon to the Trash.
2. Reinstall the latest version.
   1. Go to QuickBooks Downloads & Updates.
   2. Make sure to select the correct country, product, and version.
   3. Click Search.
   4. Select Download to download the installer file.
   5. Double-click the .dmg file.
   6. Drag the QuickBooks icon to the Applications folder to install.

Once completed, we can now locate and restore your client's company file. You can follow these steps:

1. Locate where you saved the backup copy of your clients' company file.
2. Double-click the backup file (i.e anniesplace.qb2016 file). 
3. Drag the copy of your company file to the folder where you keep your QuickBooks company. 
4. Open your QuickBooks for Mac 2020.
5. Click the Browse button.
6. Go to the folder where you saved the copy of the company file.
7. Choose the company file, then Open.
8. A prompt lets you know that you are opening a backup file. Select Continue.
9. Enter a name for the company file, then Save.
10. Click OK.

You can read through this article for more detailed instructions: Restore your backup company file for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Always feel free to get back to us if you have other questions or concerns about using QuickBooks. I'm always here to help.

I still am not able to open QB nor the QB file.  I tried downloading 16 (which is what I have) and 20.  Both downloaded but neither could be opened.  Here is the messsage I got "You can’t open the application “QuickBooksPro2016.exe” because Microsoft Windows applications are not supported on macOS."

jo

Hello joeyc126,

I appreciate you for getting back to us here in the Community. Allow me to chime in and share some clarification about the error.

You usually encounter the message prompt when you're trying to install the Windows version of QuickBooks on a Mac device. You will need to add Windows using Boot Camp Assistant or a virtual machine like Parallels to open the file without any issue.

However, if you're referring to QuickBooks for Mac, we currently support two versions for the new macOS Big Sur. As of now, you can only install:

• QuickBooks for Mac 2021 R3 and later versions
• QuickBooks for Mac 2020 R6 and later versions

In case you want to download the 2020 version of Mac:

1. Go to: https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products.
2. Click the standard setup opion.
3. Choose the product and year.
4. Hit Search. 

Also, please note that the option to install QuickBooks for Mac 2016 is unavailable. To keep you up-to-date regarding the supportability, you can visit this page: Intuit’s support policy for QuickBooks for Mac running on macOS 11 Big Sur.

For additional reference, you can use the following article to move a file from QuickBooks Desktop for Windows to Mac: Convert a QuickBooks for Windows file to QuickBooks for Mac.

If you're referring to something else, I recommend adding more details below. This way, we'll be able to provide an accurate solution to your concern.

Fill me in if you have additional questions about opening company files using Mac. I'm always here to help. Take care always.

Thank you...things seem to be working....HAve a happy new year