Wondering what the title of the latest macOS model is? Want to know what the subsequent model of macOS will probably be referred to as? Curious about the variations of Mac OS X that got here earlier than? 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 first 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’re operating and discover out what the latest model of macOS is.
The latest model of macOS is named macOS Sequoia after Sequoia National Park positioned in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain vary. That model of macOS launched to the common public in September 2024, following a macOS beta program that’s nonetheless underway as Apple develops extra new options.
The earlier model of macOS was Sonoma, also referred to as macOS 14. Sonoma arrived in September 2023.
If you’re on the lookout for assist installing Sequoia learn: How to update macOS and Fixes for Macs that won’t update.
What working system does the Mac use?
All Macs run macOS, beforehand often called Mac OS X, and have finished so since the introduction of the first model of Mac OS X in 2001. Before 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 expertise from NeXT Computer, which was one other firm based by Steve Jobs. Jobs introduced the expertise again to Apple with him when he was reinstated as Apple CEO. The working system is Unix-based.
macOS Version History
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 dangerous. From the issues with the first version (it was gradual and didn’t run essential apps like Microsoft Word) 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 units, the incorporation of the cloud, and the arrival of wonderful and useful options including built-in Time Machine backups, Quick Look – which helps you to see a preview of a doc with out opening the utility, and improvements like Expose and Spaces 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, displaying the way it has developed over time, check out our video above. If you need to know the names Apple assigned to Mac OS X over the years, and the codenames that have been used internally, learn on.
List of macOS model names and latest variations
Here’s an outline of each model of macOS and Mac OS X Apple has launched. You’ll discover a full listing of the latest 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 (Latest: 10.0.4)
- OS X 10.1: Puma – September 15, 2001 (Latest: 10.1.5)
- OS X 10.2: Jaguar – August 14, 2002 (Latest: 10.2.8)
- OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot) – October 24, 2003 (Latest: 10.3.9)
- OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) – April 29, 2005 (Latest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay) – January 10, 2006 (for Intel Macs) (Latest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) – October 26, 2007 (Latest: 10.5.8)
- OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – August 28, 2009 (Latest: 10.6.8)
- OS X 10.7 Lion (Barolo) – July 20, 2011 (Latest: 10.7.5)
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfandel) – July 25, 2012 (Latest: 10.8.5)
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) – October 22, 2013 (Latest: 10.9.5)
- OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Syrah) – October 16, 2014 (Latest: 10.10.5)
- OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) – September 30, 2015 (Latest: 10.11.6)
- macOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) – September 20, 2016 (Latest: 10.12.6)
- macOS 10.13: High Sierra (Lobo) – September 25, 2017 (Latest: 10.13.6)
- macOS 10.14: Mojave (Liberty) – September 24, 2018 (Latest: 10.14.6, July 2021)
- macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (Latest: 10.15.7, Security Update 2022-005, July 2022)
- macOS 11: Big Sur (GoldenGate) – November 12, 2020 (Latest: 11.7.10, September 11, 2023)
- macOS 12: Monterey (Star) – October 25, 2021 (Latest: 12.7.6, July 29, 2024)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Latest: 13.7.1, October 28, 2024)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (Latest: 14.7.1, October 28, 2024)
- macOS 15: Sequoia (Glow) – September 18, 2024 (Latest: 15.1, October 28, 2024)
We have a full list of which Macs run which versions of macOS here.
You can install a beta version of Sequoia and take a look at new options that haven’t but launched. If you need to set up the latest beta of macOS examine joining Apple’s beta program.
macOS Sequoia isn’t even launched but and Apple is already engaged on macOS 16, which is codenamed Cheer, in line with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his June 30, 2024 publication.
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Mac OS X and macOS names
As you’ll be able to see from the listing above, with the exception of the first 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 remaining launch, Mountain Lion. But whereas the public-facing builds have been named after large cats, internally, they have been named after wines (apart from 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. Original.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its working techniques by rebranding Mac OS X to macOS, which sits properly alongside iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and paved the means for macOS 11, the successor to Mac OS X, which arrived twenty years after the first beta of Mac OS X.
Which variations of macOS are nonetheless up to date?
Apple nonetheless provides common options and safety updates to the most up-to-date model of macOS. Right now that is Sequoia, also referred to as macOS 15.
The earlier two variations of macOS additionally obtain safety updates and bug fixes. If you’re operating macOS 14 Sonoma or macOS 13 Ventura you’ll nonetheless get safety updates.
Since the arrival of Sequoia, Apple now not helps macOS 12 Monterey which arrived in 2021 (and with the arrival of Sonoma in 2023 it stopped help for macOS Big Sur, which arrived in 2020). See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last?
Apple additionally points updates to its Safari internet browser. The latest model of Safari for Mac is Safari 18 (as of September 2024) and it requires Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia.
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How to inform which macOS model you’re operating
You can inform which model of macOS you’re operating by clicking on the Apple brand in the prime left and selecting About This Mac. It will clearly present which model of macOS you’re operating together with the most up-to-date model that your Mac has put in
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How to put in the latest model of macOS
If you need to update your Mac to a more recent model of macOS the technique 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 Update. Since the arrival of the Mac App Store in 2011 (as an update to Snow Leopard) variations of Mac OS X and macOS have been accessible to obtain through the Mac App Store.
However, that modified with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. Now working system updates are available in through Software Updates which is both positioned in System Settings > General > Software Update or in System Preferences > Software Update (pre-Ventura). One of the advantages of that is that your Mac could be set to robotically obtain the latest updates and set up them, conserving your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half. Incidentally, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover the macOS software program on the Mac App Store.
Some Macs will probably be set to update macOS robotically. If you need your Mac to update robotically comply with these steps:
In Ventura or later:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on General.
- Click on Software Update.
- Click on the “i” beside Automatic Updates and ensure that Check for updates, Download new updates when accessible, and Install macOS updates are chosen. This means your Mac will robotically update to the latest model. If you would like to not have your Mac do that robotically you’ll be able to deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Big Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Software Update.
- Check the field beside Automatically preserve my Mac updated (or Download new updates when accessible).
- Now choose the field Install macOS updates.
In High Sierra or earlier:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on App Store.
- Check the field beside Automatically verify for updates – it ought to have a tick in it as ought to the 4 choices beneath that…
- Now deselect the field beside Download newly accessible updates in the background.
Read all about how to update your Mac here.
We even have an inventory of every version of iOS the place you’ll be able to see the latest variations and how long Apple supports iPhones for.
