At what point does my Mac stop getting Firmware Updates?

[Yebubbleman]

I'm fully aware that macOS mid-version point release updates (e.g. 10.15.6 to 10.15.7, 11.3 to 11.4, etc.), nowadays, will include EFI firmware updates for Intel Macs. I'm also aware that, if I'm on an older OS that is still getting security updates, that installing a Security Update will also install those firmware updates. For instance, if I had decided to not upgrade to Big Sur on my Early 2015 13" MacBook Pro, I would still get the firmware update for my Mac that came with 11.4 with the concurrent Security Update.

That being said, using the same example, let's say we get to the point where Apple has released the first OS that my Mac isn't compatible with. I'm still able to get two more years of Security Updates on the last compatible version of macOS that supports my Mac.

Is Apple still creating and pushing new firmware in those subsequent Security Updates for my Mac?

Or do they stop creating new firmware for my Mac as soon as it stops releasing new actual versions (or point releases) for my Mac?

When does Apple stop creating firmware updates for a Mac that it is no longer supporting for the current version of macOS?

macOS Catalina still has one more year of support; is Apple still producing firmware updates for 2012 Macs that will install with the installation of Catalina's Security Updates over the course of this final year of support?

 

[chrfr]

I'm fully aware that macOS mid-version point release updates (e.g. 10.15.6 to 10.15.7, 11.3 to 11.4, etc.), nowadays, will include EFI firmware updates for Intel Macs. I'm also aware that, if I'm on an older OS that is still getting security updates, that installing a Security Update will also install those firmware updates. For instance, if I had decided to not upgrade to Big Sur on my Early 2015 13" MacBook Pro, I would still get the firmware update for my Mac that came with 11.4 with the concurrent Security Update.

That being said, using the same example, let's say we get to the point where Apple has released the first OS that my Mac isn't compatible with. I'm still able to get two more years of Security Updates on the last compatible version of macOS that supports my Mac.

Is Apple still creating and pushing new firmware in those subsequent Security Updates for my Mac?

Or do they stop creating new firmware for my Mac as soon as it stops releasing new actual versions (or point releases) for my Mac?

When does Apple stop creating firmware updates for a Mac that it is no longer supporting for the current version of macOS?

macOS Catalina still has one more year of support; is Apple still producing firmware updates for 2012 Macs that will install with the installation of Catalina's Security Updates over the course of this final year of support?

Apple doesn't publish any sort of roadmap for this. So the only answer is that they might provide firmware updates, or they might not.

 

[Fishrrman]

It stops getting them when Apple stops issuing them.

I wouldn't worry about it.

So long as your Mac still works and does the things you need to do to your satisfaction, just keep using it. When that no longer applies, it's time to start shopping for a replacement.

That's all I'm concerned about. Seems to have worked for me for decades now...