I have an iMac "late 2012" with OS El Capitan. I tried to upgrade to Big Sur and it said it couldn't. Then I tried to search in the app store for Catalina or Mojave and couldn't find them. I have over 200GB free in storage, so that isn't the issue as it looks like it requires 45GB to upgrade to Big Sur.
Can my late 2012 iMac be updated to a newer OS?
iMac 21.5″, OS X 10.11
This computer does Not Qualify for the Big Sur upgrade but may Qualify for Catalina
The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.
With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.
Make Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS
Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina & Big Sur supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.
Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.
Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation
This computer does Not Qualify for the Big Sur upgrade but may Qualify for Catalina
The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.
With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.
Make Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS
Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina & Big Sur supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.
Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.
Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation
To be clear, software update generally means to install software to update the macOS currently running on the Mac; update Catalina 10.15.1 to Catalina 10.15.7, for example.
To update your current macOS, click the Apple icon > About This Mac and then click Software Updates.... If there are any updates available for your Mac, they will be listed and you can apply them when you like.
A software upgrade is usually a generational step up to a newer macOS; upgrade from 10.13 High Sierra to 10.14 Mojave, for example, or from 10.15 Catalina to macOS 11 Big Sur.
Do NOT upgrade until you have made a Time Machine or other backup of your startup drive.
How to Upgrade macOS:
The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the year your Mac was released.
Click the (Apple) menu at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac.
macOS 10.13 High Sierra is compatible with the Macs listed here:
https://support.apple.com/kb/sp765?locale=en_US
macOS 10.14 Mojave is compatible with the Macs listed here:
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP777?locale=en_US
macOS 10.15 Catalina is compatible with the Macs listed here:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210222
❗️ – IMPORTANT – Backup your data, now, before you attempt an upgrade.
Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
❗️ – IMPORTANT – NONE of your 32-bit apps will work in Catalina or Big Sur.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436
Before you upgrade, use this free utility to check the compatibility of your apps:
Go64: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
🖥 – Check the compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475
✅ - Using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer app:
Click > High Sierra, Mojave, or Catalina.
Once downloaded, double-click the installer app in the Applications folder to begin the upgrade.
Highest a Late 2012 iMac can go is...
MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.9 or later
4GB of memory
12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:
MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac Pro (2017)
Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210190
Don't use FireFox for these links…
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12
How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support
And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...
2012 iMac OS needs updated
