2019 iMac macOS update limits and iPhone compatibility and security issues

kentksj wrote:

Apple trade in value is currently stated at $85 for this iMac that I pad $3000 for 6 years ago!

If Apple is only offering $85 USD trade-in credit for an 2019 27” iMac with 3.6 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9 and a 2 TB SSD, I'd pass up on that offer! If you didn't want that iMac, you could easily get much more than that on the private market, provided that you correctly prepared it for resale as outlined in

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac – Apple Support

I get that I am now limited with my iMac operating system support but currently have a iPhone that isn’t. 

I'm still running Sequoia on my M1 Max Studio even though I could upgrade to Tahoe or Golden Gate. Sequoia still gets the latest versions of Safari and is still one of the "most recent three" supported by vendors like Microsoft and Adobe. And there are applications you could use to get more use out if it even after it falls out of the "most recent three".

This complicates things as from what I read if I update my iPhone software to iOS 27 my iMac and phone could be limited on how they work together and I am sure it will only get worse as my phone software moves fwd and my iMac doesn’t. 

If you use "enhanced" shared photo albums on your iPhone (running iOS 27), you won't be able to access those albums in Photos on your Mac (running macOS 15).

That's about it.

Any other suggestions on what i could do to maintain my security and malware if I keep my current awesome iMac? Is buying a new iMAC the only solution here?

These days, the biggest threat to your security is not from criminals hacking your device. That's not to say that hardware and software systems are completely free from bugs and vulnerabilities.

The threat is from criminals trying to trick you into compromising your own security. It is inexpensive for low-life criminals to send "phishing" messages to thousands or millions of people – so inexpensive that they can "make" lots of ill-gained money if even a few of the intended victims (or "phish") "bite".

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams – Apple Support

As mentioned earlier, Sequoia still receives the latest versions of Safari. Once macOS 28 comes out next fall, that will no longer be the case. Then you could install a third-party browser like Mozilla Firefox . The current version of Firefox still runs even on Catalina. So Sequoia will likely be eligible for Firefox updates for several years to come.

To upgrade my iMac with the M1 silicone chip which is the ultimate issue to an equivalent iMAC that supports current macOS systems would be another $3900! Plus it’s only a 24”. Very minimal refurbished options as well.

Apple discontinued the last 27" Intel-based iMac at the same time that they introduced the first Mac Studios and the first 27" 5K Studio Display. For a lot of people who had 27" iMacs, the replacement for a 27" iMac isn't a 24" one. It's a Mac mini or Studio, plus a keyboard and mouse (possibly reused), plus one or more large screens

The M1 is an old chip. Current Macs use M5- and M6-series chips.

I would not recommend buying a 24" M1 iMac – even if by some chance you are interested in a 24" Apple Silicon iMac. The chip is old, the iMac would be long out of warranty, and some posts on these forums suggest that the 24" M1 iMac, in particular, is prone to developing an issue with its screen.

There is no need to worry, install third-party security or go out and by a new iMac.

Your iPhone running iOS 27 with still sync and backup to your iMac running macOS 15.

see > Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac

Basically when you connect the iPhone to the iMac, you'll get an update on the iMac to bridge that gap.

okay thanks for the helpful suggestions and ideas and agree with all of them for the most part. I still cant help but think though that in 1-3 years when I am still having to use Sequoia on my iMac as an OS there won't be some security risks and if I keep my iphone up to date there will eventually be some bugs with it connecting to my iMac even if I just use finder for syncing. I am very aware of phishing scams and first line defenses as a computer/internet user but it's nice to have the software as a second line of defense.

Cheers,

k