Using Monterey 12.7.6 in October 2026

Shutter Speed wrote:

I have a MacBook Pro Mid 2015 operating Monterey 12.7.6. Other than needing a new battery it works fine. Is it still safe to use this device in October 2026?

I think it is. I have an iMac 2015, on Monterey (with all available updates applied, including a fairly recent security update). One way you can robustify things is to switch to a different browser (such as Firefox, or Chrome, although I don't like Chrome) vesus the Monterey version of Safari which is outdated, doesn't work on certain financial web sites (I have found), and incorrectly identifies some sites as "not secure" when they really are. However you can use the latest version of FIrefox which has recent updated security options (there are many available in its settings).

I would make sure your Apple ID and login Mac passwords are strong passwords. In fact review all your passwords. Use 2-factor whenever you can. Check your router to make sure its security setup is good with no compromises. You may want to get an updated router if yours is old. Be careful to turn off as many of your remote login and sharing options as you can. Pay attention to other devices in the home, such as security cameras, smoke detectors, other devices that may be on WiFi, some might be security risks. My new dishwasher is even on WiFi. I can control it from thousands of miles away from my iPhone; but I wonder if that is really a good idea.

Turning on disk encryption for your Mac is a decision you should make taking into account the pros and cons.

Keep more than one reliable backups as a 2015 Mac is past its normal life expectancy and can fail at any time. That said, I also have 2013 and 2010 Macbook Airs that are still running.

The biggest risk with Macs is the user being tricked into installing bad things or revealing personal information to spoofers. I believe with common sense a 2015 Mac on Monterey is ok (I have one).

P.S. Replacing the battery on a 11 year old Mac laptop may be challenging. Look at what is offered by Macsales/OWC. In 2021, I had an Apple Authorized Service Provider in my neighborhood replace the battery and the SSD in my 2013 Macbook Air, then 8 years old. They had me purchase the new battery and SSD only, and then I brought them in, the complete service was done in about 2 hours. I don't think an Apple Store will agree to do any work on a 2015 Macbook Pro, it is too old. But the AASP are independent shops and some are willing to do jobs like this (without Apple's standard warranty). I would not undertake a 2015 Macbook Pro battery replacement myself, I would pay a qualified technician to do it.

You may want to install Firefox .

Monterey has not received the latest versions of Safari for several years. Several third-party Web browsers have dropped support for Monterey and now require Ventura or later.

The current version of Firefox runs even on Catalina.

A MacBook Pro is not an iPhone, you can and should connect it to power whenever possible. Then even with a weak battery it can continue to work like a desktop computer.

If your current battery is not causing you problems, you can continue to use it until it is no longer meeting your needs.

For additional protection against accidental installation of malware:

Some users may prefer to create a new Admin User with a unique password (be sure to write that password down somewhere). Then log in as the new Admin and demote their daily-use account to an "ordinary" non-Admin account. In that case, nothing can be installed "by accident" because you will need to provide both the Admin Username AND Password to install anything. This gives you an additional step to pause and think about whether you really want to do this.

Shutter Speed wrote:

It says the battery is weak, so I guess I will try replacing that.

The only place in my town that's on the Apple site is a Best Buy.

See if this old service program still has teeth...(?)

ref: 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support