Mac Os update

The model year of a MacBook Pro is available at Apple menu > About This Mac.

A mid 2012 MacBook Pro can be upgraded to Catalina 10.15.7 but no later. See: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

Note that if you have any non-Apple 32-bit apps they will also need to be upgraded; they will not run under Catalina. See: https://www.macworld.com/article/232735/how-to-check-if-mac-software-is-32-or-64-bit.html

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.

With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.

Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.

macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements

• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements

macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements

macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements

OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications

Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS

Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.

Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.

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