macOS Versions: A complete list of all versions of macOS and Mac OS

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Wondering what the newest edition of macOS is called? Do you want to know what the next edition of macOS will be called? If you’re curious about past editions of Mac OS, here we’ll give you the names of the other editions of the Mac operating formula in order: from the newest macOS to the first edition of Mac OS for them. We’ll also show you how to check which edition of macOS it is and which is the most recent edition of macOS.

If you’re wondering what the next edition of macOS will be called, Apple revealed at WWDC that macOS 15 will be called Sequoia after Sequoia National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. This edition of macOS will most likely be released to the general public. It will be made public in September or October 2024, and a macOS beta program is already underway.

The existing edition of macOS is Sonoma, also known as macOS 14. Sonoma arrived on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, but the progression has continued with the addition of new features since then. To learn more, read our full guide on macOS 14 Sonoma.

If you need help installing Sonoma, read: How to Update macOS and Solutions for Mac That Won’t Update.

All Macs run macOS, formerly known as Mac OS updated until December 2001. Mac OS Jobs brought a generation back to Apple when he was reinstated as Apple’s CEO. The operating formula is based on Unix.

Mac OS X was introduced more than two decades ago, on March 24, 2001. Many changes have been made over the past two decades: some clever and some bad. From the problems of the first edition (it was slow and didn’t work vitally programs like Microsoft Word), Mac OS X has evolved through iterations and designs to what we know today. We’ve noticed tight integration with iOS devices, the addition of the cloud, and the arrival of wonderful and useful features, adding built-in Time Machine. backups, Quick View, which lets you preview a document without opening the app, and inventions like Expose, Spaces, and Desktop Stacks to help you work more efficiently.

For a review of the features of the other versions of the Mac operating system, and how it has evolved over time, take a look at our video above. If you want to know what Apple has called Mac OS X over the years and what codenames are used internally, read on.

Here’s a look at the macOS and Mac OS X editions released through Apple. You’ll find a full list of the latest edition of OS X and macOS, as well as the codenames of the editions, as well as internal codenames (if available):

Here’s a complete list of which Macs are which versions of macOS.

You can install a beta edition of Sequoia and check out new features that haven’t been released yet. If you need to install the check macOS beta, read how to sign up for Apple’s beta program.

macOS Sequoia is still tied and Apple is already running macOS 16, codenamed Cheer, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his June 30, 2024 newsletter.

As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first beta edition of OS X, all editions of the Mac operating formula from 2001 to 2012 were named after big cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the definitive edition, Mountain Lion. But while the public editions bore the names of big cats, internally they bore names of wines (with the exception of OS X 10. 6 which did not have a codename).

Even after Apple moved the public codes to California locations in 2013, it continued to call them after wines internally until 2014. In 2015, Apple replaced the issue of internal wine codes to types of apples. Original.

In 2016, Apple took the step of unifying the branding of its operating systems by renaming Mac OS that arrived. twenty years after the first beta edition of Mac OS

Apple offers standard security features and updates for the latest edition of macOS. Recently it is Sonoma, also known as macOS 14.

The last two versions of macOS also receive security updates and bug fixes. If you’re using macOS 13 Ventura and macOS 12 Monterey, download regular security updates.

Since the arrival of Sonoma, Apple no longer supports macOS Big Sur, which arrived in 2020. Similarly, with Ventura’s arrival in October 2022, Apple stopped supporting Catalina, which arrived in 2019. See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last?

When Sequoia launches in the fall of 2024, Apple will most likely stop supporting macOS Monterey.

Apple also offers free updates to its Safari Internet browser. The latest edition of Safari for Mac is Safari 17 (coming September 2023) and requires Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma.

You can find out which edition of macOS you’re doing by clicking on the Apple logo in the top left and selecting About This Mac. Obviously, it will imply which edition of macOS you are, as well as the most recent edition installed on your Mac.

If you need to upgrade your Mac to a newer edition of macOS, the approach will be decided by the edition of macOS you are using.

Very old versions of Mac OS Since the arrival of the Mac App Store in 2011 (as an update to Snow Leopard), versions of Mac OS X and macOS can be obtained for download through the Mac App Store.

However, this was replaced with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. OS updates now come with software updates that can be found in System Settings > General > Software Update or in System Preferences > Software Update (previously adventure). One of the benefits is that your Mac can be set to automatically download the latest updates and install them, keeping your Mac up to date with minimal effort on your part. By the way, you can still locate macOS software in the Mac App Store.

Some Macs will be set up to update macOS. Si you need your Mac to update Array, follow these steps:

In Ventura or later:

In Monterey, Big Sur, Mojave or Catalina:

In High Sierra or before:

Learn how to use your Mac here.

We also have a list of each and every edition of iOS where you can see the most recent editions and for how long Apple supports iPhones.

Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple division and spent several years at Apple’s public relations firm before joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen’s career highlights come from interviewing Apple’s Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy at the BBC. Having edited the UK print and online editions of Macworld for many years, she has recently focused on search engine optimization and evergreen content, as well as product recommendations and shopping advice.

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