Hello! The 2012 MacBook Pro was a fantastic machine (one of Apple's best!).
I can help you bypass this. The issue isn't your Mac's hardware; it is simply that the version of Safari on macOS Catalina (Safari 15) is too old to "speak the language" of the modern Passkey security prompts that Microsoft is trying to send.
Here are the best ways to get you back into your Outlook account without spending a dime.
Option 1: Use the "Sign In Another Way" Feature
Microsoft accounts often try to force the newest, most secure sign-in method (Passkeys) first. However, they almost always have a "backdoor" for older devices.
- Go to the outlook.live.com sign-in page.
- Enter your email address and click Next.
- When the screen asks for a Passkey (or hangs), look closely for a small link that says "Other ways to sign in", "Use a password instead", or "Back".
- Click that link and select Password.
- You should now be able to type your standard password to log in.
Option 2: Switch to Firefox (Highly Recommended)
Since Apple stopped updating Safari for macOS Catalina, websites will start breaking more often. Google Chrome has also ended support for your version of macOS.
Mozilla Firefox is currently the only major browser that still supports macOS Catalina with security updates. It is more likely to handle the modern Outlook sign-in pop-ups correctly.
- Download Firefox (look for the "Extended Support Release" or standard version, both currently support macOS 10.15).
- Install it and try signing into Outlook there.
- Even if you prefer Safari, keeping Firefox on your Dock as a "backup" for stubborn websites is a great strategy for older Macs.
Why is this happening?
To give you some peace of mind: You aren't doing anything wrong. "Passkeys" are a very new technology (introduced widely around 2022/2023) that relies on specific connection points in the operating system. macOS Catalina (from 2019) simply doesn't have those connection points, so when Outlook says "Show the Passkey prompt", your Mac doesn't know how to respond.
One final tip: If you have access to a PC or phone where you can log in, check your Microsoft Account Security settings. Ensure that "Passwordless account" is turned OFF. If this is On, Microsoft will only allow Passkeys/Apps and will disable your password, locking out your older Mac.
