It's nice to see you in this thread, @CheriD. Thanks for providing thorough details about upgrading your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) for Mac program to a newer release. I'll chime in to share additional insights on why you've encountered some issues and help you update the program seamlessly.

The reason why you're getting some issues while trying to upgrade your QBDT for Mac program is that the 2019 version of the program was already discontinued on May 31, 2022.

Furthermore, your access to QBDT Payroll Services, Live Support, Online Backup, Online Banking, and other services provided by the QBDT 2019 software will also be discontinued if you're using an unsupported version. This also means you won't receive critical security updates.

For more information, kindly refer to this article: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

Nonetheless, you'll want to upgrade your subscription to the supported versions to download the latest releases. Before you begin, be sure to make a backup copy of your company file. This will enable you to restore it and undo any changes that may occur during the process. Once done, follow these steps to download and install the program:

1. Download your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac version or use the CD installer (if purchased from a retailer).
   
   
2. Close all applications.
3. Open the installer or insert the disc into the Mac CD drive. The QuickBooks installation window opens automatically.
4. Drag the QuickBooks icon to the Applications folder. The Applications folder opens automatically.
5. Choose the QuickBooks icon to open the application.

After that, upgrade your company file by following step 4 of this article: Install and set up QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

I’m also adding this resource for your reference, where you can search for related articles whenever you have issues with QuickBooks: Help articles for QBDT Mac.

You should be able to download the supported version after following the steps above. Feel free to post again or comment if you have clarifications about upgrading your QBDT for Mac program. We'll always be around to assist you further.

Dear @fognomad, I can certainly relate to your frustrations and empathize.  I'm in your same boat.  I was reluctant to upgrade to the new Apple OS, but after having an unrelated issue with Safari I called AppleCare and they assured me that Sonoma had "no known issues with QB Mac2020 and I would be okay."

In addition, @Fiat Lux - ASIA told @LindseyAnneS to "Make sure to update your MacOS to Sonoma 14.1" and @4Gal also repeated with "Make sure to update your OS to Sonoma 14.1" so I was confident to move forward with the update.

After the OS update, I reconciled two months worth of bank checking & savings and credit card statements.  I was able to create and email my accountant a Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss, and General Ledger for their review.  After that all that I purposefully created a backup and then shut down QB.  The next day when I opened the program, everything that I did new after the update was gone!  That's when I came here to the community page looking for help.

Over the weekend I've become a little more hopeful.  I called Intuit at (XXX) XXX-XXXX and spoke with a Mac expert and explained my entire situation.  Although he was primarily trying to upsell me on the annual online subscription like @Erika_K and @JessT both mentioned, another option he also mentioned was to try the Mac2021 stand-alone version that is still "supported" by QB.  So, I downloaded that version and tried to "verify" and "restore" my data (under utilities tab), during the free 15 times trial.  But unfortunately no success.

Thankfully @Fiat Lux - ASIA reached out on this thread again, with better a better suggestion, and mentioned "the company file is corrupt."  So that's what made me think to go back and try re-opening my QB Mac2020 from a previous backup before the Sonoma upgrade and......  Taaa-daaaa!  So far so good.  I've been back up and running on Mac2020.  Fingers cross, it will continue to work without major glitches.

I'm sorry you have all your 2023 records stuck somewhere on your laptop @fognomad.  Spending $600+ year for Mac2024 is outrageous.  Perhaps AppleCare can help you downgrade your OS (or watch YouTube) and get back to Ventura and dislodge all that important info.   Good luck and please keep us all posted here and hopefully @CheriD will also be able to share some good news here too!

I just was writing a long detailed reply when the whole thing just disappeared. Par for the course. Who knows. I appreciate all your help. The 2020 download worked.  Thanks.

I have the same issue--QB Desktop for Mac 2020 stopped working after I upgraded to Sonoma. I tried to do what you did, DanLA, and open a previous copy of my QB file (before the upgrade to Sonoma) but the choise is greyed out. It is probably because before trying this, I downloaded QB Desktop for Mac 2021 as Intuit Customer Service suggested (Brian from Kentucky) and it seemed like it was working, converted my data file, but then crashed. Only the converted file is visible and available to open (but cannot be opened). Any suggestions? Thanks.

I have no idea why but I upgraded my Sonoma to 14.1.2 and a few days later decided to try and open my QuickBooks 2020 and for whatever reason it decided it was time to come back to life.  Hope it decides to stay at least until the end of the year.  We will see. 

@GracieSF 

I downloaded QB Desktop for Mac 2021 as Intuit Customer Service suggested

Which trial version of QBD 2021 did you use? 15 times opening or 30 days?

Contact me in private and we can help to use one of those trial versions to isolate your problem.

That's great news @fognomad!!  I hope @CheriD  and @GracieSF also have the same luck we've had.  It's still a mystery how/why, but I'll take it and continue rolling with my Mac2020.   My bookkeeper said that maybe it was because of the big OS update, perhaps certain things needed to settle in place for the QB software in the background over the course of a few days.   Perhaps that makes sense, I dunno.  Fingers crossed this continues to work.

I would like to update this thread and let everyone know that I still am currently using QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020 Version V19.1.16 R17.3 with macOS Sonoma Version 14.4.1 (23E224) for a couple months now, and everything still appears to be working perfectly.   I hope you're all in the same boat.  Good luck and i hope it continues!

Hi Dan thanks for the update. I am using Sonoma 14.2.1 and my Quickbooks Desktop Mac 2020 is still working fine too! I'm exporting my financial statements regularly just in case...that was a scare last year.