Questioning what the identify of the newest macOS model is? Need to know what the subsequent model of macOS will likely be known as? Curious in regards to the variations of Mac OS X that got here earlier than? Right here we’ll fill you in on the names of the totally different variations of the Mac working system so as: from the latest macOS to the primary model of Mac OS X and the codenames that Apple used for them. We’ll additionally present you how one can test which model of macOS you might be operating and discover out what the newest model of macOS is.
In case you are questioning what the subsequent model of macOS will likely be known as, Apple has revealed at WWDC that macOS 15 will likely be named Sequoia after Sequoia Nationwide Park positioned in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain vary. That model of macOS will in all probability launch to most of the people in September or October 2024, and a macOS beta program is already underway.
The present model of macOS is Sonoma, also referred to as macOS 14. Sonoma arrived on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, however growth has continued with new options being added since. For extra data learn our full information to macOS 14 Sonoma.
In case you are on the lookout for assist putting in Sonoma learn: How one can replace macOS and Fixes for Macs that received’t replace.
What working system does the Mac use?
All Macs run macOS, beforehand referred to as Mac OS X, and have achieved so because the introduction of the primary model of Mac OS X in 2001. Earlier than that, Macs ran Mac OS 9 which got here out in October 1999 and obtained updates till December 2001. Mac OS X was primarily based on expertise from NeXT Laptop, which was one other firm based by Steve Jobs. Jobs introduced the expertise again to Apple with him when he was reinstated as Apple CEO. The working system is Unix-based.
macOS Model Historical past
Mac OS X was launched greater than twenty years in the past on March 24, 2001. There’s been lots of change over these twenty years: good and unhealthy. From the issues with the primary version (it was sluggish and didn’t run necessary apps like Microsoft Phrase) Mac OS X has developed via numerous iterations and numerous designs to what we all know right now. We’ve seen tight integration with iOS units, the incorporation of the cloud, and the arrival of wonderful and useful options together with built-in Time Machine backups, Fast Look – which helps you to see a preview of a doc with out opening the applying, and improvements like Expose and Areas and Desktop Stacks that will help you work extra effectively.
For an summary of the options of the varied variations of the Mac working system, exhibiting the way it has developed over time, check out our video above. If you wish to know the names Apple assigned to Mac OS X over time, and the codenames that have been used internally, learn on.
Checklist of macOS model names and newest variations
Right here’s an summary of each model of macOS and Mac OS X Apple has launched. You’ll discover a full record of the newest launch of every model of OS X and macOS, alongside model code names, together with inside code names (if obtainable):
- OS X 10 beta: Kodiak – September 13, 2000
- OS X 10.0: Cheetah – March 14, 2001 (Newest: 10.0.4)
- OS X 10.1: Puma – September 15, 2001 (Newest: 10.1.5)
- OS X 10.2: Jaguar – August 14, 2002 (Newest: 10.2.8)
- OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot) – October 24, 2003 (Newest: 10.3.9)
- OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) – April 29, 2005 (Newest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay) – January 10, 2006 (for Intel Macs) (Newest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) – October 26, 2007 (Newest: 10.5.8)
- OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – August 28, 2009 (Newest: 10.6.8)
- OS X 10.7 Lion (Barolo) – July 20, 2011 (Newest: 10.7.5)
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfandel) – July 25, 2012 (Newest: 10.8.5)
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) – October 22, 2013 (Newest: 10.9.5)
- OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Syrah) – October 16, 2014 (Newest: 10.10.5)
- OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) – September 30, 2015 (Newest: 10.11.6)
- macOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) – September 20, 2016 (Newest: 10.12.6)
- macOS 10.13: Excessive Sierra (Lobo) – September 25, 2017 (Newest: 10.13.6)
- macOS 10.14: Mojave (Liberty) – September 24, 2018 (Newest: 10.14.6, July 2021)
- macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (Newest: 10.15.7, Safety Replace 2022-005, July 2022)
- macOS 11: Large Sur (GoldenGate) – November 12, 2020 (Newest: 11.7.10, September 11, 2023)
- macOS 12: Monterey (Star) – October 25, 2021 (Newest: 12.7.6, July 29, 2024)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Newest: 13.6.9, August 7, 2024)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (Newest: 14.6.1, August 7, 2024)
- macOS 15: Sequoia (Glow) – in beta
We’ve got a full record of which Macs run which variations of macOS right here.
You possibly can set up a beta model of Sequoia and check new options that haven’t but launched. If you wish to set up the newest beta of macOS examine becoming a member of Apple’s beta program.
macOS Sequoia isn’t even launched but and Apple is already engaged on macOS 16, which is codenamed Cheer, in line with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his June 30, 2024 e-newsletter.
Mac OS X and macOS names
As you possibly can see from the record above, apart from the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 have been named after massive cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the ultimate launch, Mountain Lion. However whereas the public-facing builds have been named after massive cats, internally, they have been named after wines (apart from OS X 10.6 which had no codename).
Even after Apple switched public-facing code names to locations in California again in 2013, it carried on naming them after wines internally till 2014. In 2015, Apple determined to alter the theme of inside code names from wines to forms of apples. Unique.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its working programs by rebranding Mac OS X to macOS, which sits properly alongside iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and paved the best way for macOS 11, the successor to Mac OS X, which arrived twenty years after the primary beta of Mac OS X.
Which variations of macOS are nonetheless up to date?
Apple nonetheless provides common options and safety updates to the latest model of macOS. Proper now that is Sonoma, also referred to as macOS 14.
The earlier two variations of macOS additionally obtain safety updates and bug fixes. In case you are operating macOS 13 Ventura and macOS 12 Monterey you’re going to get common safety updates.
For the reason that arrival of Sonoma, Apple not helps macOS Large Sur, which arrived in 2020. Equally, with the arrival of Ventura in October 2022 Apple ceased assist for Catalina, which arrived in 2019. See: How lengthy do Macs and MacBooks final?
When Sequoia launches within the fall of 2024 Apple is more likely to cease supporting macOS Monterey.
Apple additionally points updates to its Safari internet browser. The most recent model of Safari for Mac is Safari 17 (as of September 2023) and it requires Monterey, Ventura or Sonoma.
How one can inform which macOS model you might be operating
You possibly can inform which model of macOS you might be operating by clicking on the Apple emblem within the high left and selecting About This Mac. It is going to clearly present which model of macOS you might be operating together with the latest model that your Mac has put in
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How one can set up the newest model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more recent model of macOS the strategy will likely be decided by the model of macOS you might be operating.
Very outdated variations of Mac OS X got here on a disk and any safety updates got here through Software program Replace. For the reason that arrival of the Mac App Retailer in 2011 (as an replace to Snow Leopard) variations of Mac OS X and macOS have been obtainable to obtain through the Mac App Retailer.
Nevertheless, that modified with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. Now working system updates are available in through Software program Updates which is both positioned in System Settings > Basic > Software program Replace or in System Preferences > Software program Replace (pre-Ventura). One of many advantages of that is that your Mac will be set to routinely obtain the newest updates and set up them, conserving your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half. By the way, you possibly can nonetheless discover the macOS software program on the Mac App Retailer.
Some Macs will likely be set to replace macOS routinely. If you would like your Mac to replace routinely comply with these steps:
In Ventura or later:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on on Basic.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Click on on the “i” beside Automated Updates and guarantee that Test for updates, Obtain new updates when obtainable, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This manner your Mac will routinely replace to the newest model. Should you would like to not have your Mac do that routinely you possibly can deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Large Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Test the field beside Mechanically hold my Mac updated (or Obtain new updates when obtainable).
- Now choose the field Set up macOS updates.
In Excessive Sierra or earlier:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on App Retailer.
- Test the field beside Mechanically test for updates – it ought to have a tick in it as ought to the 4 choices beneath that…
- Now deselect the field beside Obtain newly obtainable updates within the background.
Learn all about the best way to replace your Mac right here.
We even have an inventory of each model of iOS the place you possibly can see the newest variations and how lengthy Apple helps iPhones for.
