MacBook Pro 2016 available updates

Re: Apple software security updates:

In recent history, Apple has provided Security Updates for the current MacOS and the two previous versions.

Your current Mac is running MacOS 12 Catalina. IF it were NOT supported for the next version of MacOS, it should still get a security update in fall 2022, and another in Fall 2023. In Fall of 2024, Catalina could receive one last (one-time) security update.

But that does not make it unusable, just a little more risky for use on the Internet. It will still be able to do everything it was able to do the day you took it out of the box, PLUS a whole lot more that Apple has provided for you for free.

NB> As others have observed, it appears your model MacBook Pro 2016 WILL be supported by the next version of macOS, which shifts that timetable by a year.

RE: Hardware support:

About five years after a model is sold, Apple stops making parts available. For Business users, any problems with that system means they will not be repairing it. Some businesses will proactively replace such systems if they have not already.

For others, this is the NOT the end, but the beginning of third-party repairs using cheap used parts provided by third-party service providers. For example, you might replace a broken screen sourced from a Mac that drank a glass of water and the mainboard died.

No one knows when Apple will stop OS support on a Mac. Typically as long as Apple Supports the hardware, the Mac will have an OS which is still receiving security updates. Apple usually supports a particular hardware model for a minimum of five years before it becomes "Vintage" with hardware support for another two years. So it should receive OS support for at least seven years.

I can think of one particular model which is a bit unique on extended hardware support, but limited OS support. The MacBook Pro 13" (mid 2012) non-Retina laptop. It was released in June 2012 and was discontinued in Oct. 2016. This particular model has yet to become "Vintage", but the last supported OS is macOS 10.15 Catalina which will most likely stop receiving security updates near the end of the year. So far the hardware & software has almost 10 years of full support, but may have another two years of hardware support at least until the parts stock runs out. This particular model is very unusual as it was sold for many years before being discontinued so I think it best shows what to expect for OS support. Most models are discontinued in a year.

Here is an article which shows macOS compatibility for the various Apple systems over the years. You can use it as a reference to see how Apple has supported various hardware over the years:

https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility

Apple typically continues to provide software updates and support for about seven years. Refer to the "vintage and obsolete" product list in Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support.

There are outliers though...

That update for this twelve year old iMac appeared only a week or two ago.

You can continue to use your Mac until it fails with the last operating system upgrade and its updates available from Apple.

You have Monterey now, and early reports suggest it will also be supported by macOS 13 to be released in Fall 2022. We have no knowledge of macOS 14 (Fall 2023) hardware requirements, but if the 2016 model is not supported by that operating system release, then the first sentence applies.

Apple also has this to say about aging Macs: Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

My guess is somewhere in that 10 year period apps will lose support. Things come and go and that's especially true in the computer world.

I have a 2016 MBP and it works just fine with Monterey 12.4. But honestly, I don't wait until the very last working moment in time to upgrade or buy new. That to me is false economy at best and risky with data at worst.

Our plan calls for new Macs every five years and we keep the "best" of the old ones for a backup. We're Mac poor right now with 5 of the things, but that was by accident. The oldest is a 2015 and the next time it faults it heads to the recycle orchard.

We are all other users and do not work for Apple, so any answers here are guesses. As already mentioned, Apple generally provides updates for about 7 years. However, that does not mean that your Mac is guaranteed to work for that long - any part can suffer a failure at any time.