when i try to update to Monterey Apple says it is not available

a brody wrote:

Also you won't find Monterey through the Update, but rather through the App Store.

"Download macOS Monterey

If you’re using macOS Mojave or later, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Software Update. If you’re using an earlier macOS, use the App Store instead."

Upgrade to macOS Monterey - Official Apple Support

Apple will release only security updates for Big Sur to Noc 2023 or so based on past releases. See:

https://origin-discussions2-jp.apple.com/en/thread/253354676

This says Catalina will end on Nov 2022

https://computing.cs.cmu.edu/news/2022/eol-macos-catalina

TonyLit wrote:

I have an early 2014 MacBook Air and it has been the most reliable computer I have ever used. But it appears that this model will not be able to upgrade to OSS Monterey (based on your list of compatible models for OSS Monterey). So what should I do? Is Apple going to upgrade the current Big Sur OSS? Or is the current operating system (Big Sur version 11.6.5) the last upgrade I will ever see?

That's the general pattern it has been. Occasionally I've seen a security update come for earlier releases. But generally Safari releases have always been relegated end of life 2 OS annual releases later.

Right now you can only get 10.15 and 11.0 updates for Safari.

In November you'll likely only be able to get 11.0 and 12.0 releases for Safari.

I've made this page:

Browsers by Mac operating system - Apple Community

to help find other current browsers by OS.

See: macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

a brody wrote:

I hear you, but I've also found it redirects you to the App Store on later OSes.

Yes, that's what it's supposed to do.

The redirect could be broke.

If it was broken, the App Store would not have opened to display the "not available" message.

a brody wrote:

The link may have changed on the App Store from one was included on Big Sur's setup.

The most likely reason is because the user's Mac cannot upgrade beyond Big Sur. Hence the "Not available" message.

I have an early 2014 MacBook Air and it has been the most reliable computer I have ever used. But it appears that this model will not be able to upgrade to OSS Monterey (based on your list of compatible models for OSS Monterey). So what should I do? Is Apple going to upgrade the current Big Sur OSS? Or is the current operating system (Big Sur version 11.6.5) the last upgrade I will ever see?

It may not be. Where do you fall on this list?

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/07/macos-monterey-compatibility/

Also you won't find Monterey through the Update, but rather through the App Store.

I hear you, but I've also found it redirects you to the App Store on later OSes. The redirect could be broke.

The link may have changed on the App Store from one was included on Big Sur's setup.

If you absolutely must have Monterey macOS, what you'll have to do is buy a new, or newer, Mac that's capable of running 12.3.1.