Tuesday, September 28, 2021
iCloud+ on an Old Mac: What Works on a 2012 MacBook
Updated September 2026: in 2021 I argued that Apple should bring iCloud+ features to older Macs like my 2012 MacBook Pro, which could not run the macOS version they required, while my iPhone and iPad could. I have rewritten it as a guide to what iCloud+ does and does not do on an older Mac.
I had used a 2012 MacBook Pro for years with no plan to replace it. When I looked at subscribing to Apple One, I found that the new iCloud+ features needed a newer version of macOS than my Mac could run. My iPhone 11 and seventh-generation iPad were on the latest software and could use them, but my Mac, where I did most of my work, could not. That made the subscription feel like poor value for me.
Which macOS version can a 2012 MacBook Pro run?
Officially, the mid-2012 MacBook Pro models stop at macOS Catalina. Apple's iCloud+ features such as Private Relay arrived with macOS Monterey in 2021, which does not support these Macs.
What still works on an older Mac?
- The extra iCloud storage, for iCloud Drive, Photos and backups, within the limits of the older macOS.
- iCloud.com in a browser, for Mail, Drive, Photos and account settings, including some iCloud+ settings.
- Features used on your iPhone and iPad, which are fully available there.
What does not work?
Private Relay in Safari on the Mac and the macOS settings for features like Hide My Email need a supported macOS version. An older, unsupported system also stops receiving security updates, which is a bigger concern than missing features.
Is Apple One worth it with an older Mac?
It depends on what else you use. If you already pay for Apple Music and more iCloud storage, the bundle can still save money even without the Mac features. If Private Relay on the Mac was the main reason, it will not help until you update your hardware.
Should you install a newer macOS with unofficial tools?
Some people use community tools to install newer macOS versions on unsupported Macs. That can work, but it carries risks: missing drivers, unstable updates and no official support. Back up fully first and only try it on a Mac you do not depend on.
When is it time to replace an old Mac?
When it no longer gets security updates and you use it for banking, email or work. That was the real cost of keeping my 2012 model, more than any single missing feature.