Are Our Office Macs Still Getting Security Updates?
By Dane Gray, 24uNet
To check, open About This Mac to see which macOS version it runs, then compare it with Apple's security releases page. If your version no longer appears in recent security releases, and Software Update offers nothing newer, that Mac has likely stopped getting fixes and needs a plan.
Architecture and engineering offices often keep Macs for years. A machine that still renders and drafts well can feel like it has plenty of life left. The catch is that a Mac can keep working long after it stops receiving security fixes, and nothing on screen warns you. This guide shows how to check, what Apple says about updates and older hardware, and when it's time to replace a machine.
Why does it matter if a Mac stops getting updates?
Security updates close holes that attackers already know about. Apple's own update guidance says that to maintain your computer's security, stability and compatibility, it recommends using the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. A Mac that can't get those fixes stays exposed to every issue found after its last update.
For a design firm, that Mac usually holds client drawings, project files and saved logins to cloud storage and email. One unpatched machine can be the way into everything else on your network.
How do I check which macOS version a Mac is running?
Apple's steps are simple:
From the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen, choose About This Mac.
The window shows the name and version number of the macOS installed. Click the version number if you also need the build number.
Write down the macOS name and version for every Mac in the office. A simple list with the machine, its user and its macOS version is the starting point for everything else.
How do I know if that version still gets security fixes?
Apple publishes a page called Apple security releases on support.apple.com. It lists recent security updates for Apple software, including macOS, with the release date and the versions each update covers. The top of the page also states the latest version of macOS.
Here's how to use it:
Find your Mac's macOS name, such as the name shown in About This Mac.
Look through the recent macOS entries on the security releases page.
If your macOS version appears in recent releases, it's still getting security updates.
If recent releases cover only newer macOS versions, and yours hasn't appeared in a while, treat that Mac as no longer patched.
Apple also states on that page that it doesn't disclose or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and fixes are available. So a quiet stretch on your version isn't proof that it's safe. It's often a sign that fixes are going to newer versions instead.
What does Software Update tell me?
Open System Settings, click General, then Software Update. Apple notes that Software Update shows only updates that are compatible with your Mac. If an update or upgrade is available, install it after backing up.
If Software Update says the Mac is up to date, but that Mac's macOS is older than the versions on the security releases page, the Mac may simply be unable to run anything newer. "Up to date" means up to date for that hardware, not necessarily still protected.
Can an older Mac be upgraded to a newer macOS?
Sometimes. Apple's guidance is to check macOS compatibility before upgrading, because each macOS release supports a specific range of Mac models. If your Mac is compatible with a newer version, upgrading is usually the fastest way back onto the patched list. Test your design and engineering applications on the new version first, since plug-ins and older licenses can break.
If the Mac isn't compatible with any macOS that still appears in recent security releases, no setting will fix that. The hardware has aged out.
What do "vintage" and "obsolete" mean for Mac hardware?
Apple defines these terms on its support page about service after an expired warranty:
Vintage products are ones Apple stopped distributing for sale more than five and less than seven years ago. Repairs may still be possible, subject to parts availability.
Obsolete products are ones Apple stopped distributing for sale more than seven years ago. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products.
These labels are about repairs, not software updates, but they're a useful signal. A Mac approaching vintage or obsolete status is also likely to be near the end of its macOS support.
When should we replace an older Mac?
Plan a replacement when any of these is true:
Its macOS version no longer appears in recent Apple security releases, and it can't upgrade to one that does.
Your key design, CAD or rendering software no longer supports its macOS version.
It's listed as obsolete for hardware service.
It handles client files, email or remote access, and you can't isolate it from the rest of the network.
If a machine has to stay for one legacy application, keep it off email and the web, limit what it can reach on the network, and back it up. Then set a date to retire it.
How do we keep track across the whole office?
Create a simple device list that records each Mac's model, user, macOS version and the date you last checked it against Apple's security releases page. Review it on a regular schedule. Turn on automatic updates where your software allows, and make sure Macs are covered by the same backups and sign-in protections as everything else.
This is part of the device controls in our Security Baseline. The Security Baseline Checklist is a quick way to see where your office stands. We work with architecture firms and engineering firms around Denver and Bryan–College Station, and Mac fleets are a regular part of that work. Device management and patching are included in our Cybersecurity Business Bundle.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my Mac is still supported?
Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu to see the macOS version, then compare it with the macOS entries on Apple's security releases page. If your version isn't appearing in recent releases and can't be upgraded, it's no longer getting fixes.
Does "Your Mac is up to date" mean it's secure?
Not always. Software Update shows only updates compatible with that Mac. An older Mac can be fully up to date for its hardware and still be running a macOS version that no longer gets security fixes.
Is it safe to keep using a Mac that no longer gets updates?
It carries growing risk, especially if it handles email, the web or client files. If you must keep one, isolate it, limit its access and plan its replacement.
What is the difference between vintage and obsolete Macs?
Apple calls a product vintage when it stopped selling it more than five and less than seven years ago, and obsolete after more than seven years. Apple ends all hardware service for obsolete products.
Should we upgrade macOS as soon as a new version comes out?
Install security updates promptly. For major upgrades, test your design and engineering applications first, then upgrade once they're confirmed to work.
Need help checking your office Macs?
We can review every Mac in your office and give you a clear replace-or-keep list. Call 24uNet in Denver at (303) 468-5515 or College Station at (979) 256-5100, or email sales@24unet.com. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Apple facts verified on support.apple.com on Oct 16, 2026: Apple security releases, Update macOS on Mac, How to download and install macOS, Find out which macOS your Mac is using, and Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dane Gray — Cofounder, 24uNet. 30+ years in IT and cybersecurity. CMMC-AB Registered Practitioner, CompTIA Security+, CEH. Texas A&M '91. Dane Gray on LinkedIn.
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