Apple’s macOS history spans from OS X Cheetah to macOS 27 Golden Gate beta

macOS Compatibility Checker: Can your Mac run macOS 27 Golden Gate?

Macworld Wondering which versions of macOS your Mac can run? Want to know if you will be able to run macOS 27 Golden Gate on your Mac when it launches? We’ve put together a macOS compatibility checker that will show you what Macs the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X support, so you can tell what version you should be running on your Mac if you want the latest features and security protections. Read on to find out exactly which Macs are supported by each version of the Mac operating system. Latest supported macOS version The latest macOS version is macOS 26 Tahoe, which can run on all M-series Macs and a small number of Intel-powered Macs from 2019, but the older Macs don’t get all the new features. There are also two versions of macOS that receive security updates: macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 14 Sonoma. Latest version: macOS 26 Tahoe, released September 15, 2025 Latest update: macOS 26.5.1, released June 1, 2026 improving stability, performance and compatibility Supports: All M-series Macs and most Intel Macs from 2019 onward Security-supported versions: macOS 15 Sequoia (15) and Sonoma (14) still get critical security updates Later in 2026 a new version of macOS will launch called macOS 27 Golden Gate. The same M-series Macs will be supported, but all Intel Macs will miss out on the upcoming features. Which version of macOS can my Mac run? Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system every year—but the newest version of the Mac operating system does not support every Mac. Each year more and more Macs fall off the compatibility list and are unable to be updated to take advantage of the latest features. Here’s a simple table you can use to identify the version of macOS your Mac can run based on the year it was introduced. Note there are some exceptions where only certain models are compatible with a macOS version. For more details of specific models check the sections later on in this article. YearMacBook NeoMacBook Air, 13- & 15-inchMacBook Pro14- & 16-inchiMacMac mini Mac StudioMac ProMacBook Pro13-inchMacBook Pro 15-inch 2026macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (A18 Pro)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M5)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M5 Pro & M5 Max)2025macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M4)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M5)2024macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M3)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M4, M4 Pro & M4 Max)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M4)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M4, M4 Pro)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M4 Max, M3 Ultra)2023macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (15-inch, M2)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M2 Pro & M2 Max, M3, M3 Pro & M3 Max)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M3)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M2, M2 Pro)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M2 Max, M2 Ultra)macOS 26 Tahoe (M2 Max, M2 Ultra)2022macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M2)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1 Max, M1 Ultra)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M2, 13-inch)2021macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1 Pro & M1 Max)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1) 2020macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1 only)& macOS 15 Sequoia (Intel)macOS 26 Tahoe (iMac 27-inch, Intel)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1)macOS 26 Tahoe/macOS 27 Golden Gate (M1, 13-inch)2019macOS 14 SonomamacOS 15 SequoiamacOS 26 TahoemacOS 15 SequoiamacOS 26 Tahoe2018macOS 14 SonomamacOS 15 SequoiamacOS 15 SequoiamacOS 15 Sequoia2017macOS 12 MontereymacOS 13 VenturamacOS 13 VenturamacOS 13 Ventura2016macOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 Monterey2015macOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 Monterey2014macOS 11 Big SurmacOS 12 MontereymacOS 12 MontereymacOS 11 Big SurmacOS 11 Big Sur2013macOS 11 Big SurmacOS 11 Big SurmacOS 12 MontereymacOS 11 Big Sur (Retina only)macOS 11 Big Sur For advice about installing macOS read: How to install macOS on your Mac and read our guide to every version of macOS released to find out about the latest version. macOS 27 Golden Gate compatibility When it launches later in 2026, macOS Golden Gate will not support any Intel-powered Macs, but all Apple silicon Macs are included, including the M1 and the A18 Pro. There are some limitations though, some AI-powered Siri voice features, such as more expressive voice and advanced dictation, require M3 and at least 12GB RAM. Find the Macs that will run Golden Gate in the table below: IntroducedProductNov 2020MacBook Air (13-inch, M1)Nov 2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2-port)Nov 2020Mac mini (M1)Apr 2021iMac (24-inch, M1)Oct 2021MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro / M1 Max)Oct 2021MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Pro / M1 Max)Mar 2022Mac Studio (M1 Max / M1 Ultra)Jun 2022MacBook Air (13.6-inch, M2)Jun 2022MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2)Jan 2023Mac mini (M2 / M2 Pro)Jan 2023MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2 Pro / M2 Max)Jan 2023MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro / M2 Max)Jun 2023Mac Pro (Tower, M2 Ultra)Jun 2023Mac Studio (M2 Max / M2 Ultra)Jun 2023MacBook Air (15.3-inch, M2)Oct 2023MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 / M3 Pro / M3 Max)Oct 2023MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro / M3 Max)Oct 2023iMac (24-inch, M3)Mar 2024MacBook Air (13-inch, M3)Mar 2024MacBook Air (15-inch, M3)Oct 2024MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 / M4 Pro / M4 Max)Oct 2024MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Pro / M4 Max)Oct 2024iMac (24-inch, M4)Oct 2024Mac mini (M4 / M4 Pro)Mar 2025MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)Mar 2025MacBook Air (15-inch, M4)Mar 2025Mac Studio (M4 Max / M3 Ultra)Oct 2025MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5)Mar 2026MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5 Pro / M5 Max)Mar 2026MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro / M5 Max)Mar 2026MacBook Air (13-inch, M5) Mar 2026MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) Mar 2026MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) Macs that don’t run macOS Golden Gate The following Macs that were supported by 2025’s macOS Tahoe, and any that are older than these, are not able to run Golden Gate: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019, Intel) Mac Pro (2019, Intel) MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, 4 Thunderbolt ports, Intel) iMac (27-inch, 2020, Intel) Which Macs can run Apple Intelligence? All M-series Macs are compatible with the Apple Intelligence-powered features. However, there are hardware requirements for the AI-powered Siri voice features, including the more expressive voice and advanced dictation. Only Macs with an M3 or better, and at least 12GB RAM, will be able to run those features. M-series Macs that run Apple Intelligence: MacBook Pro (M1 and later) MacBook Air (M1 and later) iMac (M1 and later) Mac mini (M1 and later) Mac Studio (M1 and later) Mac Pro (M1 and later) There are no Intel Macs that support Apple Intelligence. What to do if you have an Intel Mac If you still use an Intel-based Mac, now is the time to start planning an upgrade to Apple silicon. With macOS 27 Golden Gate dropping support for Intel processors, the transition away from Intel has reached a critical stage. Newer Apple silicon Macs offer significantly better performance, battery life, and access to features such as Apple Intelligence. If your Intel-powered Mac can run macOS Tahoe, you should continue to receive security updates for at least another year after Golden Gate launches, so the need to replace it is less immediate. However, you should still be considering your upgrade options. The situation is more urgent if your Mac can’t run Tahoe. Apple is likely to stop providing security updates for macOS Sequoia and Sonoma once macOS Golden Gate arrives later this year, potentially leaving older Macs without protection against newly discovered security vulnerabilities. macOS 26 Tahoe compatibility As of June 2026, macOS Tahoe is the current version of macOS and it will remain so until Golden Gate launches later in 2026. The latest version – macOS 26.5.1 – arrived on June 1, 2026. Tahoe is the last version of macOS to support Macs that don’t run on Apple’s own silicon. There are four Intel-powered Macs that can run Tahoe. To drill in to exactly which Mac model run macOS Tahoe you can browse the chart below: IntroducedProductNov 2019MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019, Intel)Dec 2019Mac Pro (2019, Intel)May 2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, 4 Thunderbolt ports, Intel)Aug 2020iMac (27-inch, 2020, Intel)Nov 2020MacBook Air (13-inch, M1)Nov 2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2-port)Nov 2020Mac mini (M1)Apr 2021iMac (24-inch, M1)Oct 2021MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro / M1 Max)Oct 2021MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Pro / M1 Max)Mar 2022Mac Studio (M1 Max / M1 Ultra)Jun 2022MacBook Air (13.6-inch, M2)Jun 2022MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2)Jan 2023Mac mini (M2 / M2 Pro)Jan 2023MacBook Pro (14-inch, M2 Pro / M2 Max)Jan 2023MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro / M2 Max)Jun 2023Mac Pro (Tower, M2 Ultra)Jun 2023Mac Studio (M2 Max / M2 Ultra)Jun 2023MacBook Air (15.3-inch, M2)Oct 2023MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 / M3 Pro / M3 Max)Oct 2023MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro / M3 Max)Oct 2023iMac (24-inch, M3)Mar 2024MacBook Air (13-inch, M3)Mar 2024MacBook Air (15-inch, M3)Oct 2024MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 / M4 Pro / M4 Max)Oct 2024MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Pro / M4 Max)Oct 2024iMac (24-inch, M4)Oct 2024Mac mini (M4 / M4 Pro)Mar 2025MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)Mar 2025MacBook Air (15-inch, M4)Mar 2025Mac Studio (M4 Max / M3 Ultra)Oct 2025MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5)Mar 2026MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5 Pro / M5 Max)Mar 2026MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro / M5 Max)Mar 2026MacBook Air (13-inch, M5) Mar 2026MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) Mar 2026MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)See Apple’s list of Tahoe compatible Macs. Macs that don’t run macOS Tahoe The following Macs that were supported by 2024’s macOS Sequoia, and any that are older than these, are not able to run Tahoe: iMac (Intel, 2019) iMac Pro (Intel, 2017) Mac mini (Intel, 2018) MacBook Pro (Intel, 2018) macOS 15 Sequoia compatibility Which Macs run Sequoia? All the M-series Macs!Apple Sequoia (macOS 15) became available on Tuesday, September 16, 2024. The software still get security updates when required. Latest version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.7 on May 11, 2026. M-series Macs that run Sequoia All M-series Macs can support Sequoia (and Apple Intelligence features), including: MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (M1 and later) iMac (M1 and later) Mac Pro (M1 and later) Mac Studio (M1 and later) Mac mini (M1 and later) Intel Macs that run Sequoia The following Intel Macs can run Sequoia. None of these models can support the Apple Intelligence features though. iMac (Intel, 2019 and August 2020) Mac Pro (Intel, 2019) iMac Pro (Intel, 2017) MacBook Air (Intel, March 2020) Mac mini (Intel, 2018) MacBook Pro (Intel, 2018, 2019 and May 2020) Macs that don’t run Sequoia The following Macs that were supported by 2023’s macOS Sonoma, and any that are older than these, are not able to run Sequoia: MacBook Air (Intel, 2019) MacBook Air (Intel, 2018) For more information read: Can my Mac run Sequoia? macOS 14 Sonoma compatibility macOS Sonoma arrived in 2023IDG macOS 14 Sonoma became available on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Apple is still issuing security updates for Sonoma. Latest version: macOS Sonoma 14.8.7 on May 11, 2026. Macs that run Sonoma iMac from 2019 Mac Pro from 2019 iMac Pro from 2017 Mac Studio from 2022 MacBook Air from 2018 Mac mini from 2018 MacBook Pro from 2018 For more information read: Can my Mac run Sonoma? macOS 13 Ventura compatibility Apple Apple released macOS 13 Ventura to the public on October 24, 2022. Apple is still issuing security updates for Ventura, the most recent was 13.7.8 in August 2025. Apple no longer support this version with security updates. Latest version: macOS Ventura 13.7.8, August 2025. Macs that run Ventura MacBook models from 2017 or later MacBook Air models from 2018 or later MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later Mac mini models from 2018 or later iMac models from 2017 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2019 or later Mac Studio (all models) For more information read: Can my Mac run Ventura? macOS 12 Monterey compatibility Apple macOS 12 Monterey was made available to download on October 15, 2021 (latest version 12.7.6 in July 2024). Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Monterey. Latest version: macOS Monterey 12.7.6, July 2024. Macs that run macOS Monterey MacBook models from early 2016 or later MacBook Air models from early 2015 or later MacBook Pro models from early 2015 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2015 or later iMac Pro (2017 and later) Mac Pro models from late 2013 and later Mac Studio macOS 11 Big Sur compatibility Apple macOS 11 Big Sur was the version of macOS that arrived on November 12, 2020. Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Big Sur, but it did issue an update in February 2026 to address a certificate issue with FaceTime and Messages. Latest version: macOS Big Sur 11.7.11, February 2026. Macs that can run macOS Big Sur MacBook models from early 2015 or later MacBook Air models from 2013 or later MacBook Pro models from 2013 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2014 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 and 2019 macOS 10.15 Catalina compatibility Catalina arrived in October 2019. Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Catalina, but it did issue an update in February 2026 to address a certificate issue with FaceTime and Messages. Latest version: macOS Catalina 10.15.8, February 2026. Macs that can run Catalina MacBook (2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2019) MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2019) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late 2018) iMac (Late 2012 to 2019) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 Note that the M-series Macs will not be able to run Catalina or earlier. An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac cannot be downgraded beyond Big Sur. macOS 10.14 Mojave compatibility Mojave arrived in September 2018 (latest version 10.14.6 in July 2021) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2017, because it’s the same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2018) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late 2018) iMac (Late 2012 to mid 2017) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid 2010 and mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU) macOS 10.13 High Sierra compatibility High Sierra arrived in September 2017 (latest version 10.13.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2017) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to mid 2017) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) macOS 10.12 Sierra compatibility Sierra, the first update to drop the “X” from the name, arrived in September 2016 (latest version 10.12.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2015) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to 2015) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan compatibility El Capitan arrived in September 2015 (latest version 10.11.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to early 2015) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to early 2015) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2014) iMac (Mid 2007 to mid 2015) Mac Pro (2008, 2010, 2013) OS X 10.10 Yosemite compatibility Yosemite arrived in October 2014 (latest version 10.10.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013) MacBook Pro (13″ Mid 2009 to mid 2014) MacBook Pro (15″ Mid/Late 2007 to mid 2014) MacBook Pro (17″ Late 2007 to 2011) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012) iMac (Mid 2007 to mid 2014) Mac Pro (2008 and 2010) Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks compatibility Mavericks arrived in October 2013 (latest version 10.9.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013) MacBook Pro (Mid 2007 to early 2013) Xserve (Early 2009) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012) iMac (Mid 2007 to early 2013) Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010) Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility Mountain Lion, the last of the “big cat” versions of the Mac operating system launched in July 2012 (latest version 10.8.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2012) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to mid 2012) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2011) iMac (Mid 2007 to 2011) Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010) Wondering how long Apple will support your Mac for? Read: How long do Macs last? Can I install an older OS on my Mac? Officially, the operating system that was available on your Mac at the time that you bought it is the oldest version of macOS that can run on that Mac. It’s likely that an older OS won’t include the necessary drivers for the hardware on newer Macs. For this reason, it is unlikely that you will be able to install an older version of macOS on a new Mac—but you can take a look at how to install old versions of macOS or OS X for other Macs. Owners of Macs with M-series chips (sometimes referred to as Apple Silicon) won’t be able to run older versions of macOS that weren’t designed for Apple Silicon Macs which use a different architecture, known as ARM, instead of x86. But it may not just be a case of wanting to know if your Mac can run the newest operating system. You might also want to know if it is possible to downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS and need to know the oldest version of macOS you can use. You’ll also find that information below. You can also see a complete list of all the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X. Not sure which Mac you own? Check our article about how to identify your Mac.

17 hours ago

From Cheetah to Golden Gate: The complete history of macOS

Macworld Since the debut of Mac OS X in 2001, Apple has released dozens of versions of its Mac operating system, introducing new features, design updates, performance improvements, and more. From early big-cat releases such as Panther and Leopard to more recent California-inspired versions like Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe and the upcoming Golden Gate, each release marked a new chapter in the Mac’s evolution. Whether you’re trying to identify the version running on your Mac, check compatibility before upgrading, or find out which releases are still supported, this guide covers every Mac OS X and macOS version in chronological order – from the original Mac OS X Cheetah to macOS 27 Golden Gate. Discover the major features introduced with each release, including Spotlight in Tiger, Time Machine in Leopard, Siri in Sierra and and the enhanced Spotlight search coming in macOS 27 Golden Gate. Below, you’ll find a complete list of macOS versions in order, along with release dates, codenames, key details and support information. What is the latest macOS version? The latest version of macOS is called macOS Tahoe after the lake located in California. That version of macOS is also known as macOS 26 and it launched to the general public on September 15, 2025. Tahoe has been updated a few times since it launched in September 2025. The latest version is macOS Tahoe 26.5.1 which was released on June 1, 2026. That update fixes a bug that was causing some M5 Macs to shut down. The next version of macOS will be macOS 27 Golden Gate. It is currently in beta and will likely be launched in September 2026. macOS version history: Every macOS and Mac OS X version and the features it brought macOS is Apple’s operating system for the Mac, in the same way iOS runs on the iPhone and iPadOS runs on the iPad. It provides the user interface and acts as the link between a Mac’s hardware and its software. All Macs have run macOS – formerly known as Mac OS X – since its debut in 2001. Before that, Apple computers used Mac OS 9. macOS is based on Unix technology developed at NeXT, the company Steve Jobs founded before returning to Apple. Since its launch on March 24, 2001, macOS has evolved significantly, gaining tighter integration with iOS devices, cloud services, and productivity features such as Time Machine, Quick Look, Exposé, Spaces, and Desktop Stacks. Below is a complete overview of macOS versions, showing how Apple’s desktop operating system has developed over time, along with the official names and internal codenames used for each release. Foundry OS X 10 beta: Released in September 13, 2000, this preview version of OS X was codenamed Kodiak. It was based on technology from NeXT Computer, which was another company founded by Apple founder Steve Jobs and it introduced the Aqua user interface as well as protected memory and preemptive multitasking to stop crashes. This beta cost $29.95. OS X 10.0: Code named Cheetah, this was the first major release of Mac OS X, arriving on March 14, 2001. It was Apple’s first OS built on a Unix-based foundation. Unfortunately it was slow and rough around the edges. OS X 10.1: Just a few months ofter the first version of Mac OS X launched, Apple introduced the Puma update on September 15, 2001. This time is was stable and ready for everyday use, hardware support was better, and other issues with the fist version were addressed. OS X 10.2: Jaguar arrived on August 14, 2002, significantly improving performance and usability, introducing Quartz Extreme for smoother graphics, a faster Finder, and better networking. iChat was one of the new features. OS X 10.3: In October 2003 Apple introduced Panther which focused on speed, stability, and polish, delivering noticeably faster performance and a more responsive system. New features included: Exposé for managing windows, Fast User Switching, and FileVault disk encryption. Safari arrived as the default web browser. OS X 10.4: Tiger arrived in April 2005 with new features like Spotlight search and Dashboard widgets. OS X 10.5: In October 2007 Leopard arrived and added features like Time Machine for automated backups, Spaces for virtual desktops, and a redesigned Finder with Cover Flow. Time Machine also arrived as a simple way to back up a Mac. OS X 10.6: Released in 2009, Snow Leopard focused on performance, stability, and efficiency rather than flashy new features. OS X 10.7 Lion: Arriving in July 2011, Lion brought iPad-inspired features to the Mac, like Launchpad, full-screen apps, and multi-touch gestures. It also introduced system-wide Auto Save, Resume, and Versions so that users didn’t need to worry about manual saving. OS X 10.8: A year later, in 2012 Mountain Lion brought more iOS features to the Mac including Messages, Reminders, Notes, Notification Center, and iCloud integration. Gatekeeper security was also emphasised. The Notification Center made its debut in OS X Mavericks.Foundry OS X 10.9: In October 2013 Apple stopped naming Mac OS X versions after big cats and switched to Californian landmarks, starting with Mavericks. It introduced features like Finder Tabs, Tags, and memory compression, making Macs faster and more responsive. It was also the first time Apple offered the Max OS X update for free. OS X 10.10: Introduced in October 2014, Yosemite brought a major visual redesign with a cleaner, flatter interface, translucent elements, and a more modern look inspired by iOS (iOS 7 with its big redesign had been introduced in 2013). Continuity features from the iPhone and iPad included Handoff, iCloud Drive, and the ability to make and receive calls and texts from a Mac. OS X 10.11: El Capitan arrived in September 2015 and, like Snow Leopard in 2007, focused more on refinement and stability. It brought improvements like better window management (Split View), smoother graphics, and performance boosts. macOS 10.12: In September 2016 macOS Sierra was the first version to be referred to as macOS rather than Mac OS X, better aligning it with iOS, watchOS and tvOS. It brought Siri to the Mac and improved integration with iPhone and iPad with features like Universal Clipboard. macOS 10.13: This was another update where the focus was on performance rather than flashy new features. High Sierra in September 2017 brought updates to core apps like Photos and Safari but mostly focused on security and efficiency updates. macOS 10.14: In September 2018, Mojave introduced a system-wide Dark Mode and introduced Desktop Stacks for better file organization. Dark Mode debuted in Mojave.Foundry macOS 10.15: Arriving in October 2019, Catalina replaced iTunes with separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps and introduced Sidecar so an iPad could be used as a second display for a Mac. It also ended support for 32-bit apps. macOS 11: Big Sur was the first version to drop the ten, from Mac OS X, and start again at 11. Launched in November 2020 it was a major redesign of Apple’s Mac operating system, with a cleaner, more modern interface, updated icons, a refined Control Center, and closer visual alignment with iOS. macOS 12: Arriving in October 2021, Monterey introduced Universal Control (one mouse/keyboard across Mac and iPad) and improved FaceTime. macOS 13: macOS Ventura arrived in October 2022 and introduced Stage Manager for better multitasking, improved Continuity features (including using an iPhone as a webcam, and brought major updates to Mail, Safari, and Spotlight. macOS 14: In September 2023 Sonoma made the desktop more immersive with animated wallpapers and desktop widgets you can interact with. There were game-focused improvements in Game Mode and video conferencing features like Presenter Overlay were added. macOS 15: A year later in September 2024, Sequoia brought iPhone Mirroring and added Apple Intelligence features. macOS 26: Tahoe arrived in September 2025 with a bold new Liquid Glass design with transparent, customizable interface elements and tighter integration with iPhone and iPad. As with iPhone and iPad, Apple unified version numbering, so the macOS jumped from macOS 15 to 26. Apple also expanded Apple Intelligence, improved Spotlight, improved the Phone related features, and added a new Games app. This is the final macOS version to support Intel-based Macs. macOS 27: The next version of macOS – macOS 27 Golden Gate – was previewed at WWDC in June 2026 and is currently in beta. It will be released later in 2026 and will bring Siri AI, Visual Intelligence, and enhanced Spotlight search. List of macOS versions and latest versions Here’s an overview of every version of macOS and Mac OS X Apple has released. You’ll find a complete list of each version of OS X and macOS, along version code names, internal code names (if available) and the most recent version and when it was released. macOS Tahoe.Foundry Product versionCode nameDate of launchDate of launchLast update dateOS X 10 betaKodiakSeptember 13, 2000——OS X 10.0CheetahMarch 14, 200110.0.4June 22, 2001OS X 10.1PumaSeptember 15, 200110.1.5June 6, 2002OS X 10.2JaguarAugust 14, 200210.2.8October 3, 2003OS X 10.3Panther (Pinot)October 24, 200310.3.9April 15, 2005OS X 10.4Tiger (Merlot)April 29, 200510.4.11November 14, 2007OS X 10.5Leopard (Chablis)October 26, 200710.5.8August 13, 2009OS X 10.6Snow LeopardAugust 28, 200910.6.8July 25, 2011OS X 10.7Lion (Barolo)July 20, 201110.7.5October 4, 2012OS X 10.8Mountain Lion (Zinfandel)July 25, 201210.8.5August 13, 2015OS X 10.9Mavericks (Cabernet)October 22, 201310.9.5July 18, 2016OS X 10.10Yosemite (Syrah)October 16, 201410.10.5July 19, 2017OS X 10.11El Capitan (Gala)September 30, 201510.11.6July 9, 2018macOS 10.12Sierra (Fuji)September 20, 201610.12.6September 26, 2019macOS 10.13High Sierra (Lobo)September 25, 201710.13.6November 12, 2020macOS 10.14Mojave (Liberty)September 24, 201810.14.6July 21, 2021macOS 10.15Catalina (Jazz)October 7, 201910.15.8February 2, 2026macOS 11Big Sur (GoldenGate)November 12, 202011.7.11February 2, 2026macOS 12Monterey (Star)October 25, 202112.7.6July 29, 2024macOS 13Ventura (Rome)October 24, 202213.7.8August 20, 2025macOS 14Sonoma (Sunburst)September 26, 202314.8.7May 11, 2026macOS 15Sequoia (Glow)September 18, 202415.7.7May 11, 2026macOS 26Tahoe (Cheer)September 15, 202526.5.1June 1, 2026macOS 27Golden Gate (Honeycrisp & Fizz)TBCBetan/a FAQ 1. Which macOS versions are still supported? Apple supplies regular features and security updates to the most recent version of macOS. In addition, it is generally the case that Apple will issue security updates and bug fixes to the previous two versions of macOS. As of May 2026, macOS Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma were all receiving security updates. Also in February 2026, there was a surprise update to Big Sur (macOS 11, 2020) and Catalina (macOS 10, 2019) that addressed a certificate issue with FaceTime and Messages. See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last? We also have a full list of which Macs run which versions of macOS here. 2. How does Apple choose Mac OS X and macOS names? As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first OS X beta, all versions of the Mac operating system from 2001 to 2012 were named after big cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the final release, Mountain Lion. But while the public-facing builds were named after big cats, internally, they were named after wines (aside from OS X 10.6 which had no codename). Even after Apple switched public-facing code names to places in California back in 2013, it carried on naming them after wines internally until 2014. In 2015, Apple decided to change the theme of internal code names from wines to types of apples. In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its operating systems by rebranding Mac OS X to macOS, which sits nicely alongside iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and paved the way for macOS 11, the successor to Mac OS X, which arrived twenty years after the first beta of Mac OS X. In 2025, Apple decided to sync up the numbering system between all its operating systems. macOS 26 Tahoe will live most its lifetime as the most recent version in the year 2026 before being replaced with macOS 27 at the end of 2026. 3. How do I check my macOS version? You can tell which version of macOS you are running by clicking on the Apple logo in the top left and choosing About This Mac. It will clearly show which version of macOS you are running along with the most recent version that your Mac has installed. If you are looking for help installing macOS read: How to update macOS and Fixes for Macs that won’t update. We can also help with How to install macOS on an unsupported Mac. 4. Can I run the macOS beta? You can install a beta version of macOS and test new features that haven’t yet launched. If you want to install the latest beta of macOS read about joining Apple’s beta program. 5. How can I install the latest version of macOS? Some Macs will be set to update macOS automatically. If you want your Mac to update automatically follow these steps: Open System Settings. Click on General. Click on Software Update. Click on the “i” beside Automatic Updates and make sure that Check for updates, Download new updates when available, and Install macOS updates are selected. This way your Mac will automatically update to the latest version. If you would prefer not to have your Mac do this automatically you can deselect these options. Read all about how to update your Mac here. We also have a list of every version of iOS where you can see the latest versions and how long Apple supports iPhones for.

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