can i update iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)

Hi, JudyRMac, I'd be delighted to help you...Yes, you can update your old desktop iMac to......either El Capitan or Catalina (which is almost the newest version of the Mac OS out there). I don't think it'll do Big Sur or Monterey, though.... Please bear in mind, though, that Catalina is a 100% 64-bit operating system. So all software, plugins, applications, etc must be 64-bit and Catalina compliant to work. and yes, this does include printer drivers... and some features won't work on older Macs, eg Sidecar, .. You can find Catalina in the App store, so sign in, download it, and away you go !!

hope this helps you

John B

Installing a newer OS is called an upgrade.

A 2012 iMac can upgrade to can newer OS's like macOS Mojave 10.14 and macOS Catalina 10.15, 

I would recommend you upgrade to macOS High Sierra 10.13 first.

For High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina,

Open Safari and click on this link, 

How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support

Go to Check Compatibility to see if your mac qualifies for the OS upgrade you want.

Then go to the Download OS section and click on the OS you want to install.

Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.

Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.

Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.

If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned it does not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this free app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

I’ve updated mine to Catalina but I’m realizing that with apples newest updates that more newer apps will only run with. Version 11.0 or later and as of right now Catalina only is at 10.5.

A 2012 iMac will go to Catalina V10.13.6, if you need a more up-to-date version of Mac OS it is time to buy a newer Mac.

Yes… Eau Rouge is correct… you should follow his suggestions … i just wanted to give a short reply as i was replying on my iPhone…

jb