macOS Security Updates: How Long Can You Expect to Receive Them?

Keeping your Mac updated with the latest security patches is essential to protect against malware, exploits, and privacy risks. But how long does Apple actually provide security updates for macOS versions and Mac computers? Unlike some operating systems with published lifecycles, Apple’s update policy isn’t formally documented — yet patterns based on historical data and recent practices help us understand what you can expect.

This article explains how Apple handles macOS security updates, typical support durations for recent releases and hardware, what happens when support ends, and best practices to stay secure.

Apple’s macOS Security Update Policy: The Big Picture

No Official Lifetime Guarantee

Unlike Microsoft’s clearly published support lifecycle for Windows, Apple does not provide a formal guarantee outlining how long a specific macOS version will receive security updates. Instead, Apple tends to update the latest three versions of macOS with security patches — the current release and the two previous ones — as a general pattern rather than an official policy. How-To Geek

This means the lifespan of security updates depends on how long each release stays among the most recent three.

Typical Duration of macOS Security Support

Roughly 3 Years per macOS Version

Because Apple typically releases a new major version of macOS each year, and supports the latest three versions with security patches, the pattern implies that each macOS version receives security updates for approximately three years from the time it first appears. How-To Geek

After that period, Apple usually stops issuing security fixes for that OS version, leaving systems at risk if they remain on outdated releases.

How Long Macs Receive Updates

New macOS and Security Updates on Hardware

The length of time that a specific Mac model receives macOS updates (including security patches) depends on hardware compatibility:

• Historically, Macs receive around 6–7 major OS versions with feature updates — a period of about 5–7 years after the model’s release. Wikipedia
• After the last supported macOS version, Apple often continues to provide security-only updates for an additional 1–2 years. Ars Technica

For example, data shows older Macs often received feature updates for around six years, followed by a couple of years of security patches. Ars Technica

Examples from Recent Macs

• Many Macs from 2014–2016 received 8–10 years of combined updates and security patches. Milled
• Transitioning to Apple Silicon has influenced update strategies, but older Macs often still see security updates after feature updates end. Ars Technica

Overall, a good rule of thumb is:

• 5–7 years of macOS (feature) updates
• 2–3 further years of security-only patches

This totals around 7–10 years of security update coverage for many models — although there is no official Apple promise. How-To Geek+1

What Happens When Security Updates End

Once a macOS version falls out of Apple’s security update window:

• No further security patches are released
• Vulnerabilities that emerge will not be fixed on that OS
• System apps and browsers may stop supporting the older OS
• Third-party software (e.g., Chrome) may drop support sooner than Apple stops security updates entirely TechRadar

At that point, continuing to use your Mac on that version becomes riskier, and upgrading to a supported macOS version is strongly recommended.

Impact on Browsers and Apps

Even if Apple continues to provide security patches for an OS version, third-party apps and browsers may stop supporting older macOS releases earlier. For example, some popular browsers have already ceased updates on older macOS versions, leaving users on those systems without browser security fixes. TechRadar

This gap means that staying on a version that still receives Apple security updates may not fully protect you if your apps no longer update.

Hardware Transitions and Support Changes

Intel Macs vs Apple Silicon

With Apple’s transition from Intel to Apple Silicon:

• The final macOS release compatible with many Intel Macs was macOS 26 Tahoe.
• Apple is expected to provide security updates for some Intel Macs for a limited period (estimated around three years) after Tahoe’s release — roughly through the late 2020s. The Verge

As Apple phases out Intel support entirely over the next few years, newer OS releases may become exclusive to Apple Silicon hardware.

How to Check If Your macOS Version Is Still Receiving Security Updates

Apple publishes a Security Updates webpage that lists the latest patches and the OS versions they apply to. You can check there to see which macOS versions are currently supported.

Additionally, under:
System Settings → General → Software Update
macOS will show available security updates for your installed version if it’s still supported.

Tips to Stay Secure as Updates End

Update Before Support Ends

If your macOS version is approaching the end of security updates, consider upgrading to a newer supported version.

Upgrade Hardware if Necessary

Older Macs that cannot upgrade to current macOS releases will no longer receive Apple security patches — see if your model supports the latest macOS version.

Use Supported Apps

Ensure your browsers and key apps are still receiving updates for your macOS version — this improves overall patch coverage.

What About Third-Party App Support?

No matter how long Apple supports a macOS version, software vendors may drop support earlier. As noted with recent browser changes, applications may stop releasing updates for older macOS versions before Apple ends its own security patches. TechRadar

If you rely on specific software, check vendor support policies as well.

Summary: How Long to Expect macOS Security Updates

These timelines are based on historical patterns rather than a formal Apple guarantee, but they reflect how macOS has been supported over recent years.