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User profile for user: Otterysteve
Otterysteve Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Best OSX for my MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) currently with OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

Hello

I have an old MacBook pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) which I bought new from the online Apple store UK in May 2016 (which seems odd to me that it was four years old when I bought it new, I didn't notice it was a Mid 2012 model until recently). I have OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 on it and I would like to upgrade. What would be the best way to go about doing this please?

What is the latest OSX my MBP can use, and should I upgrade straight to the newest OSX that is compatible or should I upgrade to an intermediate OSX first?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks

MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jun 12, 2022 9:08 AM

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,303 points

Posted on Jun 13, 2022 3:54 AM

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.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements This is probably the Last Version this computer Qualifies to run.


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


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 & Monterey 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.

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,303 points

Jun 13, 2022 3:54 AM in response to Otterysteve

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.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements This is probably the Last Version this computer Qualifies to run.


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


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 & Monterey 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.

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User profile for user: Otterysteve
Otterysteve Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Jun 13, 2022 4:32 AM in response to PRP_53

Thank you P. Phillips, a very helpful reply and much appreciated. Quite a lot of information there, I'll take some time to digest it - especially the part about 32 and 64 bit applications.

I'm in no great hurry to upgrade and am currently looking at various backup options, which I will definitely carry out before any upgrade to the OS.

Thanks again for your help.

Steve

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Best OSX for my MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) currently with OS X El Capitan 10.11.6

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