Questioning what the title of the most recent macOS model is? Need to know what the subsequent model of macOS will probably 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 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 most recent model of macOS is.
In case you are questioning what the most recent model of macOS is it’s Sonoma, also called macOS 14. Sonoma arrived on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. For extra info, learn our Full Information to macOS Sonoma, aka macOS 14.
In case you are searching for assist putting in Sonoma learn: Easy methods to replace macOS and Fixes for Macs that received’t replace.
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 vital apps like Microsoft Phrase) Mac OS X has developed by way of varied iterations and varied designs to what we all know in the present day. 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 appliance, and improvements like Expose and Areas and Desktop Stacks that can assist you work extra effectively.
For an outline of the options of the assorted 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 over time, and the codenames that have been used internally, learn on.
Listing 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 checklist of the most recent 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)
- macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (Newest: 10.15.7, Safety Replace 2022-005)
- macOS 11: Huge Sur (GoldenGate) – November 12, 2020 (Newest: 11.7.10)
- macOS 12: Monterey (Star) – October 25, 2021 (Newest: 12.7)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Newest: 13.6)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 25, 2023 (Newest: 14.0)
We’ve got a full checklist of which Macs run which variations of macOS right here.
You’ll be able to set up a beta model of Sonoma and check 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.
Foundry
Mac OS X and macOS names
As you’ll be able to see from the checklist above, apart from the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 have been all 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 vary the theme of inside code names from wines to kinds of apples. Authentic.
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 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 newest model of macOS. Proper now that is Sonoma, also called 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’ll get common safety updates.
Because the arrival of Sonoma, Apple now not helps macOS Huge 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?
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.
Foundry
Easy methods to inform which macOS model you might be operating
You’ll be able to 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’s going to clearly present which model of macOS you might be operating together with the newest model that your Mac has put in
Foundry
Easy methods 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 might be operating.
Very previous variations of Mac OS X got here on a disk and any safety updates got here by way of 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 by way of the Mac App Retailer.
Nevertheless, that modified with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. Now working system updates are available in by way of Software program Updates which is both situated in System Settings > Normal > Software program Replace or in System Preferences > Software program Replace (pre-Ventura). One of many advantages of that is that your Mac may be set to routinely obtain the most recent updates and set up them, maintaining 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 will probably be set to replace macOS routinely. If you would like your Mac to replace routinely observe these steps:
In Ventura or later:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on on Normal.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Click on on the i beside Automated Updates and ensure that Test for updates, Obtain new updates when obtainable, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This fashion your Mac will routinely replace to the most recent model. In case you would like to not have your Mac do that routinely you’ll be able to deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Huge Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Test the field beside Robotically preserve 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 Robotically test for updates – it ought to have a tick in it as ought to the 4 choices under that…
- Now deselect the field beside Obtain newly obtainable updates within the background.
Learn all about methods to replace your Mac right here.
We even have a listing of each model of iOS the place you’ll be able to see the most recent variations and how lengthy Apple helps iPhones for.