Questioning what the identify of the most recent macOS model is? Wish to know what the following model of macOS will likely 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 most recent 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’re operating and discover out what the most recent model of macOS is.
What’s the newest macOS?
The most recent model of macOS is known as macOS Sequoia after Sequoia Nationwide Park situated in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain vary. That model of macOS launched to most of the 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 Might 12, 2025. It features a Display screen 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: Tips on how to replace macOS and Fixes for Macs that received’t replace. We are able to additionally assist with Tips on how to 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 known as Mac OS X, and have achieved so for the reason that 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 primarily based on expertise from NeXT Laptop, 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.
Mac OS X was launched greater than twenty years in the past on March 24, 2001. There’s been numerous change over these twenty years: good and unhealthy. From the issues with the primary version (it was sluggish and didn’t run essential apps like Microsoft Phrase) Mac OS X has developed by way of varied iterations and varied designs to what we all know at this time. 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 applying, 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, 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 have 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 most recent 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, Might 12, 2025)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (Newest: 14.7.6, Might 12, 2025)
- macOS 15: Sequoia (Glow) – September 18, 2024 (Newest: 15.5, Might 12, 2025)
- macOS 16: identify TBC (Cheer) – launch date TBC
Now we have 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 most recent beta of macOS examine becoming a member of Apple’s beta program.
Apple is already already engaged on macOS 16, which is codenamed Cheer, in keeping with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his June 30, 2024 e-newsletter.
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Mac OS X and macOS names
As you possibly can see from the checklist above, except for the primary 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 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 inner code names from wines to varieties of apples. Unique.
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 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 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 now not helps macOS 12 Monterey which arrived in 2021 (and with the arrival of Sonoma in 2023 it stopped assist for macOS Huge Sur, which arrived in 2020). 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 18 (as of September 2024) and it requires Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia.
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Tips on how to inform which macOS model you’re operating
You possibly can inform which model of macOS you’re operating by clicking on the Apple brand within the high left and selecting About This Mac. It’s going to clearly present which model of macOS you’re operating together with the newest model that your Mac has put in
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Tips on how to set up the most recent model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more moderen model of macOS the strategy will likely 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 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 > Common > Software program Replace or in System Preferences > Software program Replace (pre-Ventura). One of many advantages of that is that your Mac will be set to routinely obtain the most recent updates and set up them, retaining your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half. By the way, you possibly can nonetheless discover the macOS software program on the Mac App Retailer.
Some Macs will likely be set to replace macOS routinely. In order for you your Mac to replace routinely 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 guarantee that Verify for updates, Obtain new updates when obtainable, and Set up macOS updates are chosen. This manner your Mac will routinely replace to the most recent model. In the event you would favor to not have your Mac do that routinely you possibly can deselect these choices.
In Monterey, Huge Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Verify the field beside Mechanically 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 Mechanically verify 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 obtainable updates within the background.
Learn all about methods to replace your Mac right here.
We even have an inventory of each model of iOS the place you possibly can see the most recent variations and how lengthy Apple helps iPhones for.
