Mac Mini Late 2012 Why no updates showing after High Sierra?

[CooperBox]

My late 2012 Mac Mini is happy currently running High Sierra on the internal SSD. But I'd like to install 10.14.6 'Mojave'. However the software update returns the statement, 'No update available', whilst we know that it is supported on this model/year iMac. Can anyone pls explain why, and how to enable the update.

 

[DeltaMac]

Any chance your mini is not a 2012? Check in the System Information app (in your Applications/Utilities folder). The first screen (Hardware Overview), model identifier, should say MacMini6,1
Another method to get that mini updated... make a bootable USB Mojave installer. Boot to that Mojave installer, and update that way

 

[QuickDraw]

Catalina is the last officially supported os for the Mac mini 2012. Anything newer you would need the help of OCLP

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Explanation: Apple wants you to buy replacement hardware ASAP. So they "Vintage" perfectly good Macs at about the 7 year mark. You are coming up on DOUBLE that timetable, so you are way beyond what Apple wants from you.

You can try the OCLP hack and hope for the best in all ways one hopes when leaning on some third party hack... or perhaps flex the bootcamp option and go Windows. I'd guess that Mac can run at least Windows 10 and will probably have Windows 10 support for at least several more years.

Else, you probably have reached PEAK os support already and should leave it there if you want to keep using it. If you have to have a Mac, it is well past time to replace it (in Apple's eyes). That may seem towards ridiculous for perfectly capable hardware but welcome to Apple. Shareholders need to feed their families.

 

[chrfr]

My late 2012 Mac Mini is happy currently running High Sierra on the internal SSD. But I'd like to install 10.14.6 'Mojave'. However the software update returns the statement, 'No update available', whilst we know that it is supported on this model/year iMac. Can anyone pls explain why, and how to enable the update.

The later OSes don't show up as an update for those. You'd need to download the particular installer from here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102662

 

[CooperBox]

Many thanks for all your replies. however.........
- Yes, sure & certain mine is a Mac Mini6,1 late 2012
- Yes I was aware that 10.15 'Catalina' is the last officially OS supported on this model which I didn't want for two reasons, i.e. no support for 32bit apps plus I've seen it frequently listed as one of the worst Max OS's. I particularly wanted the previous 10.14.6 'Mojave' OS, often described as one of the best for stability, plus particularly user friendly.
- I've used both the Dosdude and OCLP patchers on other Macs in my collection with success but neither required on this model as Mojave is natively supported.
- As for web browsing and security, I haven't used Safari in years on any of my Macs. On the current OS High Sierra, I'm using FireFox browser 115.19esr which is regularly updated for security, together with uBlock origin and privacy badger extensions which all add to a very pleasant internet experience - even in 2025!
- Even from the link provided, it didn't allow to download the Mojave installer. It took me to the APP Store Mojave page but the normal 'DOWNLOAD' button indicated 'START', clicking on which gave a prompt that the installer app was damaged and couldn't be used. Strangely enough on the similar Apple Support Page, the Catalina OS link was active and would allow for Catalina download, ditto for High Sierra which is even older than Mojave. Why the latter has been deactivated is anyones guess. Strange!

 

[Cave Man]

Well, if you really want it you could make a Mojave USB installer flash drive and install from there. Be sure to back up your drive so you can use Migration Assistant to move your files to the Mojave install.

How to Make a Bootable MacOS Mojave Installer Drive

Want to make a MacOS Mojave bootable USB installer drive? It’s pretty easy to do, as long as you have the MacOS Mojave installer app and a USB flash drive. Much like prior versions of Mac OS,…

osxdaily.com

 

[DeltaMac]

Booting to the Mojave installer would simply upgrade the High Sierra install to Mojave. No need to use Migration assistant, as the install just upgrades the existing system to Mojave. But, a backup is always a Good Thing® before upgrading a Mac system.

 

[Cave Man]

Right. I should have added “in case of disaster.”