Can't update my 'Early 2015' MacBook (12") beyond High Sierra (10.13.6), why?

Question

Can't update my 'Early 2015' MacBook (12") beyond High Sierra (10.13.6), why?

In App Store no updates are offered, why not? I've been reading that I should be able to update it to Monterey 12.7.6. What's happening, what can I do? I purchased MS Office 2019, but it's now saying that I need MacOS 12.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Sep 12, 2025 10:28 AM

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Answer 1

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FoxFifth

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Sep 12, 2025 11:05 AM in response to Macbook12inch-EarlyTwenty15

According to Identify your MacBook model - Apple Support you should be able to update it to macOS 11 Big Sur but not beyond that. See the following from that support article:

2015

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

Colors: Space gray, gold, silver

Model Identifier: MacBook8,1

Part Numbers: MF855xx/A, MF865xx/A, MJY32xx/A, MJY42xx/A, MK4M2xx/A, MK4N2xx/A

Newest compatible operating system: macOS Big Sur

Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

For upgrade instructions, see: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Sep 12, 2025 4:36 PM in response to Macbook12inch-EarlyTwenty15

Microsoft has a policy of supporting only the most recent three versions of macOS. Currently those are (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia), but in just a few days, they will be (Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe).

Although you can use existing installations of Office / 365, Microsoft says that you need Ventura (or higher) to do a new installation.

Basically, your choices come down to

Hoping that Microsoft's official position is incorrect, and that there is some way to do a new installation of Office on Big Sur,
Getting a new computer that is recent enough to be supported by Office / 365 (although then, you might need a newer version of Office / 365), or
Using an alternative office suite such as LibreOffice.

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Answer 3

Sep 26, 2025 12:15 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks! That link worked and now I have MacOS 11.7.10 Big Sur. I guess that's the highest my laptop will be able to handle based on your answer. Then I will need to get Office 2016, as 2019 requires MacOS 12 or higher.

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2025 12:18 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks for the tips on my options. I want to limit my expenses, so I will stick with an older version of Office. By the looks of it, it will be the 2016 one, as the 2019 requires MacOS 12.

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