Questioning what the title of the newest macOS model is? Wish to know what the following model of macOS can be? 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 test which model of macOS you might be operating and discover out what the newest model of macOS is.
If you’re questioning what the newest model of macOS is it’s Sonoma, often known as macOS 14. Sonoma arrived on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. For extra info learn our Complete Guide to macOS Sonoma, aka macOS 14.
If you’re searching for assist putting in Sonoma learn: How to update macOS and Fixes for Macs that won’t update.
What working system does Mac use
All Macs run macOS, beforehand often known as Mac OS X, and have finished so because the introduction of the primary model of Mac OS X in 2001. Previous to that Macs ran Mac OS 9 which got here out in 1999. 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 number of change over these 20 years: good and unhealthy. From the issues with the primary version (it was sluggish and didn’t run vital apps like Microsoft Phrase) Mac OS X has advanced by numerous iterations and numerous designs to what we all know right this moment. We’ve seen tight integration with iOS units, the incorporation of the cloud, and the arrival of fantastic 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 can assist you work extra effectively.
For an outline 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 had been used internally, learn on.
Checklist of macOS model names and newest variations
Right here’s an outline of each model of macOS and Mac OS X Apple has launched. You’ll discover a full listing of the newest launch of every model of OS X and macOS, alongside model code names, together with inner code names (if accessible):
- 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: 12.7.3, January 22, 2024)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Newest: 13.6.4, January 22, 2024)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (Newest: 14.4, March 7, 2024)
We now have a full list of which Macs run which versions of macOS here.
You may install a beta version of Sonoma and check new options that haven’t but launched. If you wish to set up the newest beta of macOS examine joining Apple’s beta program.
Mac OS X and macOS names
As you’ll be able to see from the listing above, apart from the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 had been all named after huge cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the ultimate launch, Mountain Lion.
However whereas the public-facing builds had been named after huge cats, internally, they had 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 vary 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 latest 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’re going to get common safety updates.
Because the arrival of Sonoma, Apple now not helps macOS Large Sur, which arrived in 2020. Equally, with the arrival of Ventura in October 2022 Apple ceased help for Catalina, which arrived in 2019. See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last?
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.
Methods to inform which macOS model you might be operating
You may 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
Foundry
Methods to set up the newest model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more moderen model of macOS the tactic can 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. 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 accessible to obtain through the Mac App Retailer.
Nonetheless, 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 > Basic > Software program Replace or in System Preferences > Software program Replace (pre-Ventura). One of many advantages of that is that your Mac might be set to mechanically obtain the newest updates and set up them, retaining your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half. By the way, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover the macOS software program on the Mac App Retailer.
Some Macs can be set to replace macOS mechanically. If you’d like your Mac to replace mechanically observe 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 make it possible for Verify for updates, Obtain new updates when accessible, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This fashion your Mac will mechanically replace to the newest model. In case you would like to not have your Mac do that mechanically you’ll be able to deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Large Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Verify the field beside Routinely preserve my Mac updated (or Obtain new updates when accessible).
- Now choose the field Set up macOS updates.
In Excessive Sierra or earlier:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on App Retailer.
- Verify the field beside Routinely 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 accessible updates within the background.
Learn all about how to update your Mac here.
We even have a listing of every version of iOS the place you’ll be able to see the newest variations and how long Apple supports iPhones for.