iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
Our verdict
Revive it.
Apple’s updates ended on macOS Big Sur 11. The community’s didn’t.
I
Give it a new OS
OpenCore Legacy Patcher runs macOS Tahoe 26 on this machine — a modern browser and current patches, unofficially. OpenCore Legacy Patcher ↗
II
Give it a job
A single-purpose desk machine — music, photos, a second screen with history.
III
Or let it go
Apple no longer services this model, but Apple Stores still take it for free recycling. Working units are worth more sold than scrapped.
ObsoleteTops out at macOS Big Sur 11 — or macOS Tahoe 26 with OpenCore.
Where to sell it
The record
Introduced
2014
Model identifier
iMac15,1
Chip
Intel Core i5/i7 Haswell
Architecture
Intel
Latest official release
macOS Big Sur 11
With OpenCore Patcher
macOS Tahoe 26 · official patcher site
Security updates
Ended — macOS Big Sur received its final security update in 2023 (last release 11.7.10 (2023-09-11)).
Apple hardware status
Obsolete — no longer serviced
Data confidence
high
Common questions
What is the newest macOS for the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)?
The iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) officially tops out at macOS Big Sur 11. The community’s OpenCore Legacy Patcher can take it to macOS Tahoe 26, unofficially.
Is the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) still getting security updates?
No. Ended — macOS Big Sur received its final security update in 2023 (last release 11.7.10 (2023-09-11)).
Can the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) run a newer macOS than Big Sur 11?
Officially, no. Unofficially, yes: OpenCore Legacy Patcher runs macOS Tahoe 26 on this machine — a modern browser and current patches. It’s unsupported territory, so back up first.
Is the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) vintage or obsolete?
Apple classifies it as obsolete: no more parts, no more service. Apple Stores will still recycle it for free.
The fine print
a
The identifier iMac15,1 is also used by the iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015). Same identifier, different support ceilings — check the year before trusting a lookup.
b
Multi-cycle model identifier reuse says The Late 2014 iMac15,1 model officially maxes out at macOS Big Sur 11, whereas the Mid…. We use: Identifier-to-model mapping disambiguated by release year in this database..
Same shelf