Questioning what the title of the newest macOS model is? Need to know what the following model of macOS might be referred to 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 verify which model of macOS you might be operating and discover out what the newest model of macOS is.
What’s the newest macOS?
The most recent model of macOS is named macOS Sequoia after Sequoia Nationwide Park situated in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain vary. That model of macOS launched to most people in September 2024, following a macOS beta program that’s nonetheless underway as Apple develops extra new options.
The most recent model of Sequoia is macOS 15.5, which arrived on Could 12, 2025. It features a Display Time replace, some adjustments in Mail, and safety patches.
There’s a new model of macOS – macOS 16 – on the best way. We’ll know extra after WWDC on June 9, 2025.
In case you are searching for assist putting in macOS learn: How you can replace macOS and Fixes for Macs that received’t replace. We will additionally assist with How you can set up macOS on an unsupported Mac.
What’s macOS?
macOS is the Mac working system, like iOS is the iPhone working system and iPadOS is the iPad working system. It’s the software program that runs within the background, offering the consumer interface and offering the hyperlink between the {hardware} and software program.
All Macs run macOS, beforehand often called Mac OS X, and have performed 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 based mostly on know-how from NeXT Laptop, 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.
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 varied iterations and varied designs to what we all know immediately. 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 will help you work extra effectively.
For an outline 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 had been used internally, learn on.
macOS variations so as
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 newest 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: Huge 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: 13.7.6, Could 12, 2025)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (Newest: 14.7.6, Could 12, 2025)
- macOS 15: Sequoia (Glow) – September 18, 2024 (Newest: 15.5, Could 12, 2025)
- macOS 16: title TBC (Cheer) – launch date TBC
We’ve a full checklist of which Macs run which variations of macOS right here.
You possibly can set up a beta model of macOS and take a look at 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.
Apple is already already engaged on macOS 16, which is codenamed Cheer, based on Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his June 30, 2024 e-newsletter.
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Mac OS X and macOS names
As you may see from the checklist above, aside from the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 had been named after massive cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the ultimate launch, Mountain Lion. However whereas the public-facing builds had been named after massive 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 alter the theme of inner code names from wines to kinds 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 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 Sequoia, often known as macOS 15.
The earlier two variations of macOS additionally obtain safety updates and bug fixes. In case you are operating macOS 14 Sonoma or macOS 13 Ventura you’ll nonetheless get safety updates.
Because the arrival of Sequoia, Apple not helps macOS 12 Monterey which arrived in 2021 (and with the arrival of Sonoma in 2023 it stopped help for macOS Huge Sur, which arrived in 2020). See: How lengthy do Macs and MacBooks final?
Apple additionally points updates to its Safari net browser. The most recent model of Safari for Mac is Safari 18 (as of September 2024) and it requires Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia.
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How you 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 brand within the prime left and selecting About This Mac. It’s 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 you can set up the newest model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more recent model of macOS the tactic might 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 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 may be set to robotically obtain the newest updates and set up them, retaining your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half. By the way, you may nonetheless discover the macOS software program on the Mac App Retailer.
Some Macs might be set to replace macOS robotically. In order for you your Mac to replace robotically 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 ensure that Verify for updates, Obtain new updates when obtainable, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This manner your Mac will robotically replace to the newest model. If you happen to would like to not have your Mac do that robotically you may deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Huge 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 obtainable).
- 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 verify 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 the best way to replace your Mac right here.
We even have an inventory of each model of iOS the place you may see the newest variations and how lengthy Apple helps iPhones for.
