How to Tell if Your Mac Is Too Old to Update

Written by Luigi Oppido | Edited by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 References

Wondering whether your Mac is too old to run macOS Monterey? Each time a new version of macOS is released, some older models are excluded from the update. We'll show you how to find out if your MacBook or Mac desktop can be updated to the latest version of macOS, and what you can do once you can no longer update your Mac.

Question 1 of 7:

Is my Mac too old to update to Monterey?

Unless your Mac is very old, you'll probably be able to update. To find out if your Mac is compatible with Monterey, click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your desktop, and then choose About This Mac.^{[1]
X
Research source} You'll see the model (e.g., MacBook Pro 2017) near the top of the window. As long as your model is on this list, you'll be able to update to Monterey:
- MacBook Pro: Early 2015 and later.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- MacBook Air: Early 2015 and later.
- MacBook: Early 2016 and later.
- iMac Pro: 2017 and later.
- iMac: Late 2015 and later.
- Mac Pro: Late 2013 and later.
- Mac Mini: Late 2014 and later.

Question 2 of 7:

Can I update an old Mac to an earlier version?

1
You may be able to update to Big Sur. To check for and install available updates, click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then click Software Update. If you can update to Big Sur, follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
2
Try updating manually if no updates are available. Even if you can't get an operating system as modern as Big Sur or Monterey, your older Mac will still benefit from running the most modern version of the operating system supported by its hardware. This is helpful if you have a much older version of macOS, such as Mountain Lion, and want to upgrade as high as you can (in this case, Mojave). You can download and install manual updates from https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683.

Question 3 of 7:

How will I know if my Mac is getting too old to use?

1
You can't update to the latest version of macOS. While you can still use a Mac that can't update to Monterey, not being able to update is a sign that your Mac is aging into obsolescence.
2
Your Mac was released more than 7 years ago. Apple considers Mac "vintage" if they were released between 5 and 7 years ago, and obsolete if older than 7 years.^{[3]
X
Research source} Obsolete Macs no longer qualify for service and support.
3
Security updates are no longer available. Even if you're using an older version of macOS like Mojave, you'll still get security fixes for about 3 years after the operating system's release date.^{[4]
X
Research source} When security updates are no longer available, your Mac is vulnerable to threats.
4
Apps no longer run. Developers are always updating their apps to run optimally on the latest versions of macOS. If you can't run apps due to your Mac's age, it's time to start shopping for an upgrade.
5
Your Mac is very slow. A slow Mac doesn't necessarily mean it's old, but it could indicate that advances in software are outpacing your computer's hardware.
6
Your other Apple products don't work with your Mac. For example, if you have an iPhone or iPad and your Mac isn't running at least El Capitan (10.11.6), your Mac won't recognize your phone or tablet.

Question 4 of 7:

Why won't my Mac update to Monterey?

1
The computer hardware is too old. If your Mac is too old to update to the latest version, it won't prompt you to update. Unfortunately, there's no way to force an update to Monterey if your Mac is incompatible.
2
You don't have enough space on your Mac. If you're upgrading from macOS Sierra, you'll need 26GB of space on your drive to run the update. If you're installing from an even earlier version, you'll need 44GB of space.
3
There's a problem with the download. If you see a message that says an error occurred while downloading, preparing, or installing the update, or that the installer is damaged and could not be verified, re-download the update and try again.^{[5]
X
Research source} If that doesn't work, there could be a problem with your internet connection, or you may need to install the update in safe mode.

Question 5 of 7:

How long do Macs last?

About 5 to 7 years. Apple offers service and parts for MacBooks and Mac desktops for a minimum of 5 years from the final date of product distribution.^{[6]
X
Research source} Even once the Mac is no longer officially supported, you can still obtain parts for up to 7 years.
- If you have a MacBook, you can have your battery replaced for up to 10 years.

Question 6 of 7:

How can I speed up my old Mac?

1
Close apps you don't need. Having too many apps open at a time can drastically affect performance.
2
Free up some hard drive space. You can use your Mac's Storage Management tool to move files from your hard drive to iCloud, as well as optimize future storage.
3
Upgrade the RAM (if available). If your Mac has RAM that can be upgraded, adding RAM is a great way to improve performance. To find out if your RAM is upgradable, click the Apple menu and go to About This Mac > Memory. If you see "Memory Upgrade Instructions," you can upgrade the RAM.^{[7]
X
Research source}
4
Restart your Mac occasionally. If it's been a while since you last restarted your Mac, giving it a reboot can clear out the RAM and give you a speed boost.

Question 7 of 7:

What should I do with my old Mac?

1
Trade it in. If you want the latest and greatest MacBook or desktop, you may be able to trade in your old Mac to save some money. Visit https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in and click Computer to find out how much you'll get for your Mac. Even if your Mac is too old to have any trade-in value, Apple will recycle your hardware for you.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Before trading in or donating your old Mac, remember to wipe it clean.
2
Donate it. If your Mac still works, contact local organizations that accept donations to ask if your Mac would be helpful to their cause. When you donate your old Mac to a non-profit organization in the United States, you can even claim a tax deduction.^{[9]
X
Research source}
3
Recycle it. Apple's global recycling program makes it easy to recycle your old Apple computers, phones, and tablets. Visit https://www.apple.com/recycling/nationalservices/ to learn about Apple hardware recycling programs around the world.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I tell if a used computer is a 32 or 64 bit? I want a 32 bit.

AmongUsIsC00l

Community Answer

If a computer has a 64-bit processor, it is backwards compatible with 32-bit software, and you can run 32-bit Windows as well, though the manufacturer may not have 32-bit versions of the drivers (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc). In most cases there is no reason to use a 32-Bit computer when 64-bit Windows can run 32-Bit apps unless you need to run 16-bit apps (which you can also do on x64 through OTVDM or a VM).