A friend has a MBP late 2012 running Sierra. I am trying to help her move forward to as current an OS as possible to fix some comparability issues. My recollection is that it was better to move through the major versions instead of going directly to the latest supported which I believe is Catalina in her case. Is that still possible / the best approach. MBP is backed up with Time Machine.
HHere's the options///
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
Mac Hardware Requirements
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:
macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications
https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12
macappstores://apps.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12
macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.8 or later
2GB 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 Mojave:
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; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12
Thanks to MartinR Terminal command…
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.14.6
It will place a copy of the installer in your Applications folder and you can use that to create a bootable installer.
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)
How to download macOS - Apple Support
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12
macappstores://apps.apple.com/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...
https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
What is the current (2023) upgrade path from Sierra
