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What you need to run macOS Monterey

Run macOS 12 on these Macs

Last updated

Apple's macOS Monterey was announced, and several Macs won't be able to run the operating system when it is released in the fall of 2021. Here are the compatible Macs.

Mac compatibility for macOS doesn't have as easy a through-line as iOS due to the variety of processors available. Apple is amidst a chipset transition to its custom Apple Silicon, so compatibility is more in question than ever.

Macs compatible with macOS Monterey

Mac Desktops:

  • iMac Pro (2017)
  • M1 iMac (Retina 4.5K, 24-inch, 2021)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
  • iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
  • Mac mini (M1, 2020)
  • Mac mini (2018)
  • Mac mini (Late 2014)
  • Mac Pro (2019)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013)

MacBook Pro:

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)

MacBook Air:

  • MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)

MacBook (12-inch):

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)

Macs removed from compatibility with macOS Monterey

Mac Desktops:

  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
  • iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)

MacBook Pro:

  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)

MacBook Air:

  • MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)
  • MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)
  • MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)
  • MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)

MacBook (12-inch):

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

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23 Comments

OutdoorAppDeveloper 15 Years · 1292 comments

I wish Apple considered that support of older Macs, when technically possible, would make people more likely to buy a new Mac not less. If I know that the brand new Mac I buy will still be getting new versions of MacOS in 12 years, I am far more likely to plonk down my cash for one. As it stands, there are computers removed from support that are only six years old! I don't remember anyone at Apple saying "Hey, buy this new MacBook and get just six years of use out of it before you have to recycle it." 

multimedia 23 Years · 1031 comments

You forgot to list the new 2021 24” iMacs

georgi0 4 Years · 6 comments

He does not force you to retire. You still have the previous  version to consider. 

Fro. My experience it’s better to have something stable to run than a crawling new version on old machine. 

MauiMac5341 6 Years · 29 comments

Can you point to an apple Web page?  the only reference I can find to your list is in a footnote for specific support for a feature, not the entire OS.  Many thanks

Xed 4 Years · 2896 comments

I wish Apple considered that support of older Macs, when technically possible, would make people more likely to buy a new Mac not less. If I know that the brand new Mac I buy will still be getting new versions of MacOS in 12 years, I am far more likely to plonk down my cash for one. As it stands, there are computers removed from support that are only six years old! I don't remember anyone at Apple saying "Hey, buy this new MacBook and get just six years of use out of it before you have to recycle it." 

Apple's decision is clearly based on what is technically possible. 6 years of getting the latest version of macOS is more than acceptable and 12 years is a ridiculous expectation. Just look at the HW available in 2009—you really think the world of Mac users needs to be hamstrung by paltry macOS updates because you don't think upgrading your Mac more than once every 12 years is worthwhile?