Questioning what the title of the most recent macOS model is? Wish to know what the subsequent model of macOS will probably 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 completely 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 examine which model of macOS you’re operating and discover out what the most recent model of macOS is.
If you’re questioning what the subsequent model of macOS will probably be known as, Apple has revealed at WWDC that macOS 15 will probably be named Sequoia after Sequoia Nationwide Park situated 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, often known as macOS 14. Sonoma arrived on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, however improvement has continued with new options being added since. For extra info learn our full information to macOS 14 Sonoma.
If you’re in search of assist putting in Sonoma learn: Learn how to replace macOS and Fixes for Macs that received’t replace.
What working system does the Mac use?
All Macs run macOS, beforehand often known as Mac OS X, and have achieved so for the reason that 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 know-how from NeXT Pc, which was one other firm based by Steve Jobs. Jobs introduced the know-how 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 20 years in the past on March 24, 2001. There’s been a whole lot of change over these 20 years: good and dangerous. From the issues with the primary version (it was sluggish and didn’t run essential apps like Microsoft Phrase) Mac OS X has advanced by way of varied iterations and varied designs to what we all know as we speak. We’ve seen tight integration with iOS gadgets, 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, displaying 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 through the years, 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 most recent launch of every model of OS X and macOS, alongside model code names, together with inner 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: Massive 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
Now we have a full record of which Macs run which variations of macOS right here.
You’ll be able to set up a beta model of Sequoia and take a look at new options that haven’t but launched. If you wish to set up the most recent 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 accordance with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his June 30, 2024 publication.
Mac OS X and macOS names
As you possibly can see from the record above, except the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 have been named after large cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the ultimate launch, Mountain Lion. However whereas the public-facing builds have been named after large cats, internally, they have been named after wines (except for 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 inner code names from wines to sorts of apples. Unique.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its working methods by rebranding Mac OS X to macOS, which sits properly alongside iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and paved the way in which 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 newest model of macOS. Proper now that is Sonoma, often known as macOS 14.
The earlier two variations of macOS additionally obtain safety updates and bug fixes. If you’re operating macOS 13 Ventura and macOS 12 Monterey you’ll get common safety updates.
Because the arrival of Sonoma, Apple now not helps macOS Massive 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 prone to cease supporting macOS Monterey.
Apple additionally points updates to its Safari net browser. The newest model of Safari for Mac is Safari 17 (as of September 2023) and it requires Monterey, Ventura or Sonoma.
Learn how to inform which macOS model you’re operating
You’ll be able to inform which model of macOS you’re operating by clicking on the Apple brand within the high left and selecting About This Mac. It should clearly present which model of macOS you’re operating together with the newest model that your Mac has put in
Foundry
Foundry
Foundry
Learn how to set up the most recent model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more recent model of macOS the strategy will probably be decided by the model of macOS you’re operating.
Very outdated variations of Mac OS X got here on a disk and any safety updates got here through Software program Replace. Because the 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 situated in System Settings > Common > Software program Replace or in System Preferences > Software program Replace (pre-Ventura). One of many advantages of that is that your Mac could be set to mechanically obtain the most recent updates and set up them, holding 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 probably be set to replace macOS mechanically. If you would like your Mac to replace mechanically comply with these steps:
In Ventura or later:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on on Common.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Click on on the “i” beside Automated Updates and be sure that Test for updates, Obtain new updates when obtainable, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This fashion your Mac will mechanically replace to the most recent model. If you happen to would favor to not have your Mac do that mechanically you possibly can deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Massive Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Test the field beside Mechanically maintain 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 examine 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 most recent variations and how lengthy Apple helps iPhones for.