macOS 12 end of life and support dates
Ended 29 Jul 2024
macOS 12 (Monterey) stopped getting security updates on 29 Jul 2024 and is no longer supported.
macOS 12 key dates
| Date | macOS 12 |
|---|---|
| Released | |
| Security updates | Confirmed[1] |
| Latest version | 12.7.6 |
What this means for you
macOS 12 no longer gets security updates. It keeps working, but vulnerabilities found from now on stay open, so it is not a safe choice for anything connected to the internet, used for banking or work, or covered by compliance rules.
Upgrade options:
- macOS 15 (Sequoia): supported until 15 Sep 2027
What happens when support ends
Will it still run?
Your Mac keeps working. Apple does not disable an old macOS, and your apps and files stay as they are.
Will it get security fixes?
Apple stops listing security updates for that macOS version. Vulnerabilities fixed in newer versions stay open on yours, including flaws Apple says may have been actively exploited.
What stops working?
Safari updates for that macOS stop around the same time (Sonoma's last was Safari 26.6.1 in August 2026). New Xcode releases require a recent macOS (Xcode 27 needs macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later). App developers raise their minimum macOS over time, so App Store updates for some apps stop installing.
What are my options?
- Upgrade to the newest macOS your Mac supports in System Settings > General > Software Update.
- If your Mac can't run a supported version, it will stay on unpatched software. Keep it off untrusted networks and use a browser that still supports your macOS, or plan to replace the Mac.
- macOS 27 runs only on Apple silicon Macs. Intel Macs top out at macOS 26 Tahoe.
What else stops working, and when
The end of Mac OS updates is only part of the story. Browsers, Office and apps set their own cut-offs for older versions:
| Date | Software | Affects | What stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed[2] | Google Chrome | OS X 10.11 El Capitan and macOS 10.12 Sierra | No more Chrome updates, including security fixes; Chrome 103 is the last version. |
| Official[3] | Steam | OS X 10.11 El Capitan and macOS 10.12 Sierra | Steam stopped supporting OS X 10.11 and macOS 10.12. |
| Confirmed[2] | Google Chrome | macOS 10.13 High Sierra and 10.14 Mojave | No more Chrome updates, including security fixes; Chrome 116 is the last version. |
| Estimated[4] | Microsoft 365 / Office for Mac | macOS 12 Monterey | Office for Mac stopped updating on macOS 12; build 16.88 (August 2024) is the last one. Day picked within August 2024. |
| Confirmed[2] | Google Chrome | macOS 10.15 Catalina | No more Chrome updates, including security fixes; Chrome 128 is the last version. |
| Confirmed[2] | Google Chrome | macOS 11 Big Sur | No more Chrome updates, including security fixes; Chrome 138 is the last version. |
| Estimated[5] | Microsoft Edge | macOS 11 Big Sur | Edge 138 is the last version for macOS 11; Edge 139 and later may fail to install or launch. Microsoft gives the version, not a date; date approximated to the Edge 139 release week. |
| Estimated[4] | Microsoft 365 / Office for Mac | macOS 13 Ventura | Office for Mac stopped updating on macOS 13; build 16.101 (September 2025) is the last one and macOS 14 Sonoma is now required. Day picked within September 2025. |
| Estimated[6] | Dropbox | macOS 10.13, 10.14 and 10.15 | Dropbox switched these versions to a simplified desktop app: basic sync remains, but backups, automatic photo upload and in-app sharing are gone. Day picked within October 2025. |
| Official[7] | Microsoft 365 / Office for Mac | macOS 11 Big Sur and older | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote can drop into a limited mode: you can open, view and print files but not edit, save or create them (macOS 12 and app 16.83 minimum). |
| Official[8] | Google Chrome | macOS 12 Monterey | No more Chrome updates, including security fixes; Chrome 150 is the last version and new installs need macOS 13. |
| Estimated[5] | Microsoft Edge | macOS 12 Monterey | Edge 150 is the last version for macOS 12; Edge 151 and newer require macOS 13 Ventura. Microsoft gives the version, not a date; date approximated to the Edge 151 release week. |
| Estimated[9] | Mozilla Firefox ESR | macOS 10.12, 10.13 and 10.14 | Firefox ESR 115, the last Firefox for these versions, gets its final scheduled security update (115.53). Mozilla says support runs to March 2027. |
For businesses and auditors
As of 11 Nov 2026: macOS 12 (Monterey) stopped getting security updates on 29 Jul 2024 and is no longer supported. Source: https://www.itechtics.com/eol/macos/macos-12-monterey/, verified 11 Nov 2026.Get Mac OS end-of-life alerts
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Frequently asked questions
When does macOS 12 support end?
macOS 12 (Monterey) stopped getting security updates on 29 Jul 2024 and is no longer supported.
Is macOS 12 still supported?
No. macOS 12 stopped getting security updates on 29 Jul 2024.
What happens when macOS 12 reaches end of life?
Your Mac keeps working. Apple does not disable an old macOS, and your apps and files stay as they are. Apple stops listing security updates for that macOS version. Vulnerabilities fixed in newer versions stay open on yours, including flaws Apple says may have been actively exploited.
What should I upgrade to from macOS 12?
The newest supported option is macOS 15 (Sequoia), which gets security updates until 15 Sep 2027.
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-us/100100
- support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/12239814
- help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/0972-74BD-D8DE-662E
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/upgrade-macos-to-continue-receiving-microsoft-365-and-office-for-mac-updates-16b8414f-08ec-4b24-8c91-10a918f649f8
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-supported-operating-systems
- help.dropbox.com/installs/simplified-desktop-application
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/update-m365-office-macos-ios
- support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/10314655
- whattrainisitnow.com/release/
Dates are labelled Official (published by the vendor), Confirmed (we saw the updates stop) or Estimated (our forecast, with the rule shown). How we date things · Report a wrong date