I have an older Mac which is golden yet the iOS is Catalina 10.15.7 and I am starting to get "helpful" messages from apps saying I need to update my OS to take advantage of the apps.
Can I update from Catalina?
Windows, Windows 10
Not on a Windows computer as it says in your profile you cannot. ;-)
Upgrading a macOS depends upon the model Mac, specifications, and year. To get more information about your computer, choose: (Apple menu) > 'About This Mac' in the upper left corner of any window, then "More Info..." or "System Report". There's more about this in "About System Information [Profiler] on your Mac" - System Information User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
Use the computer information, including the model year, and the links below to determine what is possible with your computer.
Click on this link to read how to get different versions of macOS --> How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
- The article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
- With an old computer it may help to have more RAM (memory) than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.
- You may find you must use Safari to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open to a functioning page.
- Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite download as a .pkg. Click on this to have a converted version placed in your Applications folder as an "Install OS..." application. Run the installer and follow the directions.
- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.
- If you encounter download problems it may help to download while in Safe Mode Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
Before upgrading, back up at least your data in case something goes wrong. See this support document: How to back up your Mac - How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer, as older 32 bit apps will no longer work. To check for those, try this 32 bit application scanner application --> https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
Not on a Windows computer as it says in your profile you cannot. ;-)
Upgrading a macOS depends upon the model Mac, specifications, and year. To get more information about your computer, choose: (Apple menu) > 'About This Mac' in the upper left corner of any window, then "More Info..." or "System Report". There's more about this in "About System Information [Profiler] on your Mac" - System Information User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
Use the computer information, including the model year, and the links below to determine what is possible with your computer.
Click on this link to read how to get different versions of macOS --> How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
- The article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
- With an old computer it may help to have more RAM (memory) than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.
- You may find you must use Safari to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open to a functioning page.
- Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite download as a .pkg. Click on this to have a converted version placed in your Applications folder as an "Install OS..." application. Run the installer and follow the directions.
- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.
- If you encounter download problems it may help to download while in Safe Mode Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
Before upgrading, back up at least your data in case something goes wrong. See this support document: How to back up your Mac - How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer, as older 32 bit apps will no longer work. To check for those, try this 32 bit application scanner application --> https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
To answer your question, you need to identify the exact model Mac you have. That's to determine if your specific Mac is compatible with any version of macOS beyond Catalina.
Do Apple > About This Mac and tell us what it says for Mac & processor:
Sadly that is as high as a late 2012 21.5" iMac can go...
OS X 10.8.2 (12C2034) Maximum OS macOS 10.15.7
Next higher OS requirements...
macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications
General Requirements
OS X 10.9 or later
4GB of memory
35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra 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 Big Sur:
MacBook (2015 or later)
MacBook Air (2013 or later)
MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)
Mac mini (2014 or later)
iMac (2014 or later)
iMac Pro (2017 or later)
Mac Pro (2013 or later)
Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12
I don't know why this says Windows. Grrr. I definitely have an Apple w/ macOS Catalina 10.15.7
MacOS Catalina 10.15.7
iMac (21.5 inch, late 2012)
Processor 2.9 GHz Quad-Core Intel Corei5
Memory 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Update my iOS from Catalina 10.15.7 to new OS.
