How to get software that runs on Monterey?

[ditto1958]

I recently acquired a slightly used Mac Book Air that has Monterey 12.7. It works pretty well, but I am frustrated that I can’t find software to work on it. MS Word, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop… none of the current versions run on my OS.*

Is there any way to find and install older versions of apps to work on my machine?

*I have put other, free, apps on it for word processing and photo editing, but it sure would be nice to have the real thing.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Monterey is 2 versions back from the current version of macOS, and most apps should indeed work on it.

But if that MBA can run Monterey, it can run Sonoma or Sequoia as well likely.

Provide details of the MBA by clicking on the About this Mac under the Apple icon on the top left and we'll go from there.

 

[ditto1958]

I apologize if my questions are basic- I’ve been using Windows PC’s since the 1990’s and Apple phones and tablets since about 2012, but this is my first Mac computer, so I guess I‘m a novice. Are you saying I can put a newer Mac OS on my MBA? If so, where do I get it?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Of course you can upgrade the OS. That's true enough on Windows, you surely weren't using Windows 3.1 from back in the day were you?

Anyway, click on the Apple icon on the top left, and choose About this Mac. We primarily want to know what year (very specifically) the MBA is from. This will give us all the info to help you proceed.

macOS upgrades have been free for the past 10'ish releases. You just need to create an Apple ID if you don't have one or use the one from your iPhone and log into the App Store on your Mac (just like the App Store on your iPhone) and then grab the installer.

You can also go to System Settings->Software Update and grab the update/upgrade from there as well.

 

[ditto1958]

Of course you can upgrade the OS. That's true enough on Windows, you surely weren't using Windows 3.1 from back in the day were you?

Anyway, click on the Apple icon on the top left, and choose About this Mac. We primarily want to know what year (very specifically) the MBA is from. This will give us all the info to help you proceed.

macOS upgrades have been free for the past 10'ish releases. You just need to create an Apple ID if you don't have one or use the one from your iPhone and log into the App Store on your Mac (just like the App Store on your iPhone) and then grab the installer.

You can also go to System Settings->Software Update and grab the update/upgrade from there as well.

The OS is 12.7.6, and it says it’s up to date. It’s a 2017 machine.

 

[pm-r]

I recently acquired a slightly used Mac Book Air that has Monterey 12.7. It works pretty well, but I am frustrated that I can’t find software to work on it.

You may want to bookmark the web page for your particular Mac model access from here to learn all about your particular Mac model:

Mac Specs, Prices, Answers and Comparison: EveryMac.com, Est. 1996

A complete guide of every Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and Mac clone with technical and pricing info. Specs on every Mac, answer Mac questions, compare Macs and more.

everymac.com

For software, you can peruse to many software headings and compatibility from here, but only use the direct download option and don't have anything else included if you happen to download any software from the site:
https://www.macupdate.com/

And member Randy B. Singer I was a very resourceful site was lots of useful informatio you might want to check ou:

Free Macintosh Software!

And welcome to Mac-forums.com forums.




- Patrick
=======

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I recently acquired a slightly used Mac Book Air that has Monterey 12.7. It works pretty well, but I am frustrated that I can’t find software to work on it. MS Word, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop… none of the current versions run on my OS.*

At least with regard to Microsoft Word, that is incorrect. Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 (the 64-bit version) or any later version of Office for Mac will work on Monterey. You can even run the latest versions of Word in Office 2024 for Office 365. (However, some of these older versions may require you to download a free update from Microsoft, which is no big deal.)

You can purchase stand-alone (no subscription) versions of Office/Mac for a really good price here:

Office/Mac 2019/2021
$25/$70
https://www.cultofmac.com/?s=microsoft+office

Office/Mac 2024
$100
https://www.deskcodes.com/products/microsoft-office-2024-home-for-mac?_pos=1&_sid=277ff8dab&_ss=r

However, before you purchase a copy of Office, I highly recommend that you download this free Office clone. It's a fabulous program, but not quite as full featured as Office itself. But it might be all that you need, and it's FREE! So it's worth a try:

FreeOffice (free)
https://www.freeoffice.com/en/

I'm not into graphics, so I can't tell you which versions of the Adobe products work with Monterey. (A quick Google search should tell you that.) I CAN tell you that instead of paying Adobe's usurious prices, that many Macintosh users prefer the Affinity suite of products. They are only $70 each (no subscription required), or $165 for all three (Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher).

Affinity
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/

You may also want to check out these amazing free programs:

Inkscape (free, donation requested) (vector graphics program)
https://inkscape.org/en/

Krita (free, donation requested) (alternative to Photoshop. painting tool.)
https://krita.org/en/

 

[Randy B. Singer]

The OS is 12.7.6, and it says it’s up to date. It’s a 2017 machine.

According to MacTracker, your 2017 MBA can only run up to Monterey, and no later.

You can download MacTracker here:

MacTracker (free)

Mactracker - Get info on any Mac

Get detailed specifications on any Apple series, Mac, iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

mactracker.ca

 

[MacBiter]

The OS is 12.7.6, and it says it’s up to date. It’s a 2017 machine.

You have two options *IF* you want a newer OS than Monterey:

1. Get VM software (VMWare is now free for personal users) to install a later OS in a VM and run it alongside Monterey. Downsides: you'd still be running Monterey as the main OS; you need the maximum RAM in order to run two OS's at once.

2. Use Open Core Legacy Patcher to install Sequoia (or earlier) on your Mac. You need to follow their instructions very carefully, or find a YouTube tutorial, as it's a bit fiddly, especially the first time you do it.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

You have two options *IF* you want a newer OS than Monterey:

There is no reason for the original poster to resort to a kludge to run Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia. He was under the mistaken impression that since his Mac was a few versions of the Mac OS out of date that it wouldn't run the latest apps without updating the OS. In actuality, he probably should be able to run all the latest software under Monterey with no problem.

 

[MacBiter]

There is no reason for the original poster to resort to a kludge to run Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia. He was under the mistaken impression that since his Mac was a few versions of the Mac OS out of date that it wouldn't run the latest apps without updating the OS. In actuality, he probably should be able to run all the latest software under Monterey with no problem.

Agreed - which is why I said *IF*! (though I wouldn't describe OCLP as a kludge...).

 

[ditto1958]

According to MacTracker, your 2017 MBA can only run up to Monterey, and no later.

You can download MacTracker here:

MacTracker (free)

Mactracker - Get info on any Mac

Get detailed specifications on any Apple series, Mac, iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

mactracker.ca

I suspected that. I am surprised by this, as I have older iPads that still run anything. Why does Apple make people update computers faster than tablets and phones.

 

[ferrarr]

Why does Apple make people update computers faster than tablets and phones.

Because the internet does not wait for you.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I suspected that. I am surprised by this, as I have older iPads that still run anything. Why does Apple make people update computers faster than tablets and phones.

Apple doesn't "make" you update at all. The computer that I'm typing this on is running Mojave, which is roughly 7 years old. It's doing fine. I'm running Mojave because I have a lot of legacy 16-bit apps and later OS's don't support 16-bit apps at all.

Apple usually supports a given Macintosh model for approximately eight to ten years, providing main macOS updates for five to seven years, and security updates for two years.

In practice, a Mac is usually good for about 10 years, after which it becomes hard to find a Web browser that is reliable with the latest HTML standards, and to keep up with the latest software and file formats. Some keep on using their Macs despite this, but after about 12 years most users usually find themselves too far behind the technology curve to continue using an old Mac.

 

[ditto1958]

I’m not sure I’m making my point right. If I had bought this machine a few years ago, I‘d have put things like Lightroom and MS Office on it back then and I’m sure I would be happily using it to this day.

But I didn‘t and the machine doesn‘t have much of any useful software. Why can’t I find older versions of software that works on my OS?

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I’m not sure I’m making my point right. If I had bought this machine a few years ago, I‘d have put things like Lightroom and MS Office on it back then and I’m sure I would be happily using it to this day.

But I didn‘t and the machine doesn‘t have much of any useful software. Why can’t I find older versions of software that works on my OS?

Maybe I'm still not getting what you are asking. We've pointed out that your Mac running Monterey will likely run all current software. Are you saying that you would prefer older versions of apps than what is currently being offered?

Actually, if you do some sleuthing, most programs are available in older versions. For instance, Microsoft Office for the Macintosh (the stand-alone version) is currently at 2024, but you can still purchase the 2021 and 2019 versions. I believe both will work on your Mac under Monterey.:

Microsoft Office 2019/2021
$25/$70
https://www.cultofmac.com/?s=microsoft+office

 

[ditto1958]

Maybe I'm still not getting what you are asking. We've pointed out that your Mac running Monterey will likely run all current software. Are you saying that you would prefer older versions of apps than what is currently being offered?

Actually, if you do some sleuthing, most programs are available in older versions. For instance, Microsoft Office for the Macintosh (the stand-alone version) is currently at 2024, but you can still purchase the 2021 and 2019 versions. I believe both will work on your Mac under Monterey.:

Microsoft Office 2019/2021
$25/$70
You searched for microsoft office | Cult of Mac

It WON’T run current versions of most popular software

 

[Randy B. Singer]

It WON’T run current versions of most popular software

How do you know, and what won't it run?

 

[pm-r]

It WON’T run current versions of most popular software

It may not run the most recent versions of the software you are wanting to run but has already mentioned most software is available that will run by using an older version and you may not even need recent version with whatever features it has.

Several sites linked to or can provide downloads to older versions such as Macupdate.com.

Is there some particular software you were looking for?
Maybe we can help if you let us know, we can probably let you know where to find it or just try a Google search with your particular macOS requirements.





- Patrick
=======

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I'm not sure where your belief that Monterey won't run current software is coming from? What have you tried that won't work? Or which apps say on their Web site that they won't run under Monterey?