download for MAC Monterey 12.7.6
Security updates for MacOS Monterey 12.7.6
When exactly will Monterey 12.7.6 stop se… - Apple Community
Mac OS Monterey (12) no longer supported after the 12.7.6 update? | MacRumors Forums
How does Apple choose Mac OS X and macOS names?
As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first OS X beta, all versions of the Mac operating system from 2001 to 2012 were named after big cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the final release, Mountain Lion. But while the public-facing builds were named after big cats, internally, they were named after wines (aside from OS X 10.6 which had no codename).
Even after Apple switched public-facing code names to places in California back in 2013, it carried on naming them after wines internally until 2014. In 2015, Apple decided to change the theme of internal code names from wines to types of apples.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its operating systems by rebranding Mac OS X to macOS, which sits nicely alongside iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and paved the way for macOS 11, the successor to Mac OS X, which arrived twenty years after the first beta of Mac OS X.
In 2025, Apple decided to sync up the numbering system between all its operating systems, moving from macOS 14 to macOS 26 to better reflect the year. macOS 26 Tahoe lived most its lifetime as the most recent version in the year 2026 before being replaced with macOS 27 in September 2026.
How can I install the latest version of macOS?
Some Macs will be set to update macOS automatically. If you want your Mac to update automatically follow these steps:
Read all about how to update your Mac here.
Which macOS versions are still supported?
Apple provides regular feature and security updates for the current version of macOS and generally continues to issue security updates for the previous two major versions.
As of September 2026, macOS 27 Golden Gate is the current version. Apple also released security updates for macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia alongside Golden Gate on September 14, 2026.
With the arrival of Golden Gate, macOS Sonoma appears to have dropped out of Apple’s regular support cycle, with its most recent update released in August 2026.
Occasionally Apple releases updates for much older versions of macOS to address specific problems. For example, in February 2026 it issued updates for Big Sur and Catalina to address a certificate issue affecting FaceTime and Messages.
See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last? We also have a full list of which Macs run which versions of macOS here.
If you are unable to upgrade your version of Mac OS the last version of Office that will work on MacOS Monterrey is 16.88, that is available on the table on this link to all the downloadable versions from the Microsoft servers.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac
On macOS Monterey 12.7.6, Microsoft 365 apps are supported only up to Office for Mac version 16.88/16.88.1 (and, per later guidance, 16.89 dated September 10, 2024). Newer builds require macOS Sonoma or later and will not install.
To get Microsoft 365 working on macOS 12.7.6:
- Make sure there is a valid Microsoft 365 or Office 2021/2024 license associated with the account. A current license is required to activate the older build.
- Download an older Office for Mac build that supports Monterey (for example, 16.88 or 16.89) from the Office for Mac update history page listed in the context:
- Use the long table of downloadable versions on the update history page to select version 16.88 (or 16.89) for Office for Mac.
- Install the downloaded package on macOS Monterey 12.7.6.
- After installation, open any Office app and sign in with the licensed Microsoft account to activate.
- Run Help > Check for Updates once to move to the final supported build for Monterey (for example, 16.88.1 for Outlook and PowerPoint). AutoUpdate does not need to remain enabled because there will be no further updates for Monterey beyond that version.
If upgrading macOS to Sonoma or later becomes possible, newer Microsoft 365 builds can then be installed and updated normally.
References:
- Upgrade macOS to continue receiving Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac updates
- Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac
- Download volume licensing products
- Deployment options for admins for Office for Mac
- Troubleshoot installing Office
- Office 365 won't install - Microsoft Q&A
- Cannot install Microsoft 365 because my os is too old - Microsoft Q&A
- where can i find an old version of Office 365 for mac - Microsoft Q&A
- Help! I can't get 365 to work. Can I use it on my MacOS or do I need Office? - Microsoft Q&A
- Office running on OS 12.7.6 - Microsoft Q&A
So I have a Macbook Air from 2015 which supports MacOS Monterey as the latest operating system. The laptop is a bit slow but does what it needs to do for light workloads.
When I search the internet for information about when MacOS Monterey goes end-of-support I get mixed results, but none from the official Apple website. Also I can’t find the exact date when Apple stops releasing security updates for MacOS Monterey.
I’m an IT professional and work in cybersecurity. I don’t mind working with old hard- and software, but I do mind working with operating systems that don’t get patched for potential critical vulnerabilities.
Does anyone of you know where I can find official statements from Apple that tell me the last date I can safely use my 2015 Air?