直到2025年的所有MacOS版本的完整列表

‎macOS version history

• macOS 15 Sequoia, September 16, 2024
• macOS 14 Sonoma,September 26, 2023
• macOS 13 Ventura,October 25, 2022
• macOS 12 Monterey,October 25, 2021
• macOS 11 Big Sur, November 19, 2020
• macOS 10.15 Catalina,October 7, 2019
• macOS 10.14 Mojave,September 24, 2018
• macOS 10.13 High Sierra,September 25, 2017
• macOS 10.12 Sierra,September 20, 2016
• OS X 10.11 El Capitan,September 30, 2015
• OS X 10.10 Yosemite,October 16, 2014
• OS X 10.9 Mavericks,October 22, 2013
• OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion,July 25, 2012
• Mac OS X 10.7 Lion,July 20, 2011
• Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard,August 28, 2009
• Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard,October 26, 2007
• Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger,April 29, 2005
• Mac OS X 10.3 Panther,October 24, 2003
• Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar,August 23, 2002
• Mac OS X 10.1 Puma,September 25, 2001
• Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah,March 24, 2001

macOS is the operating system designed to run on Apple laptops and desktop computers. As Apple grew and strengthened the ecosystem through the years, macOS operating system version history evolved too.

In this article, we guide you through the evolution of Apple’s operating system, from its first public release in 2001 to the latest macOS Sequoia, which was released on September 16, 2024.

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Is there any difference between Mac OS X and macOS?

No, they are essentially the same thing —just named differently. In fact, three terms were used at different times with reference to Apple’s operating system: Mac OS X, OS X, and macOS. Mac OS X was the official naming through version 10.7, from 2001 to 2011. In the next four years, the OS X names were used. Finally, Apple shifted to "macOS" with the release of macOS High Sierra in 2016. The latter helped standardize the naming of Apple’s operating systems —macOS, iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, etc.

New operating systems for Mac not only bring new features, they bringbetter performance, enhanced privacy, and better workflow for those working across devices. If you’re wondering whether to upgrade to the newest macOS, we’d say yes, it’s worth it.

What is the latest version of macOS?

As of November 2024, the latest macOS version available ismacOS 15 Sequoia. The next macOS release is expected in the fall of 2025.

What is the oldest macOS that is still supported?

The oldest macOS still supported is macOS 12 Monterey. It is expected to be discontinued around the end of 2024, 3 years after its release. Next in line is macOS 13 Ventura, which will be supported until around the end of 2025. A new macOS is usually released every year and supported for three years.

Also, keep in mind that newer versions of macOS may not be compatible with older Mac models. Сheck out macOS compatibility with your specific Mac.

What version of Mac is no longer supported?

Apple is discontinuing service and OS updates for obsolete and vintage (those that were last distributed for sale between 5 and 7 years ago) Macs. This means your computer can't be serviced at an Apple-authorized repair center, and an outdated, unupdated operating system could theoretically become a window for malware to infiltrate your Mac. Examples of vintage Macs include the MacBook Air (2015) and MacBook Pro (2016). See the full list of obsolete and vintage Apple machines here.

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List of macOS versions

Brief backstory. In 1996, Apple purchased NeXT, the company Steve Jobs built after he had left Apple. The same year, Jobs returned to Apple and helped build the first Mac OS that could compete with Windows. That’s when it became obvious Apple could grow to become a big player.

The first ancestor of the macOS family was Mac OS X Public Beta released in 2000, followed by a public release of Mac OS X 10.0 in 2001. Let’s recount the stories of all Mac OS X versions, up to the current macOS(orcheck out our ultimateinfographic.)

1. Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah

March 24, 2001: Aqua interface is born with Mac OS X Cheetah. It’s a big step in the evolution of graphical interfaces, with 2D and 3D graphics support, granting an all-new visual experience. Cheetah featured a water theme, which, according to Steve Jobs, "one wanted to lick when they saw it." Beauty comes at a cost, though. Graphics improvements made Cheetah very slow, which prompted Apple to shift focus from visual experience to performance in the next release.

source: Apple Wiki | Fandom

2. Mac OS X 10.1 Puma

September 25, 2001: As you might have noticed, the first generation of Apple’s operating systems was named after animals. Puma arrived with a solid performance boost and a few other functional improvements such as simplified CD and DVD burning, new features in Finder, and more extensive printer support.

source: Apple Wiki | Fandom

3. Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar

August 23, 2002: The third release of Mac OS X added search to Finder (can you imagine it, Finder used to exist without it!) Jaguar also brings MPEG-4 support for QuickTime, a range of privacy features, and, for the first time, Accessibility API called Universal Access. Some of the apps born with this release continue living on Mac even today (for example, Address Book, which is now called Contacts).

source: VTII Technology

4. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther

October 24, 2003: Meet Safari! The first official web browser made by Apple replaces Internet Explorer on Mac. In fact, Safari was available on Jaguar but it’s the first release where it becomes a default browser. Other than that, Panther adds 150+ new features, including Font Book, Xcode enhancements, and more.

source: Cult of Mac

5. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger

April 29, 2005: Did you think Apple TV is pretty new? Well, guess what, it was born in 2005, with the release of Apple’s fifth operating system! Tiger was a pretty big update. It featured Spotlight search, Automator, VoiceOver, and around 200 other improvements. During this time, Apple also switched to Intel’s processors, which made Tiger the first system operating on Macs with Intel chips.

source: Wikipedia

6. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

October 26, 2007: Here comes Leopard, one of the most Mac-changing systems. This time, Mac’s desktop changes significantly, with Dock, a new menu bar, and Stacks. Time Machine, Spotlight enhancements, and support for 64-bit apps arrive too. In fact, Leopard featured so much new stuff that Apple even had to delay the initial release date to finish it all in time.

source: Apple Wiki | Fandom

7. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

August 28, 2009: Leopard’s successor, Snow Leopard, focused on expanding 64-bit architecture. Most of the native applications were rewritten in 64-bit. Back then, experts used to say that was the first step to a full transition, which, as we know today, became true. Also, the App Store was born in the Snow Leopard era.

source: Wikipedia

8. Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

July 20, 2011: With Lion, Apple brings lots of useful enhancements from iOS to Mac OS. Launchpad, multi-touch gestures, and more. Interestingly, many people criticized Mac OS X 10.7 for the so-called "natural scrolling," which moved the content up when you scroll down. Back then, it seemed more natural to have the content move down —as Windows did it.

source: iXBT

9. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

July 25, 2012: Major apps like Notes, Reminders, and Messages arrive from iOS, turning Mac into a more comfortable spot for managing your daily routine. The most significant update in Mountain Lion is Notification Center, with on-screen banners communicating updates.

source: iXBT

10. OS X 10.9 Mavericks

October 22, 2013: Operating system number 10 debuts a range of privacy features, majorly focused on password encryption and storage. This is when iCloud Keychain arrives. Also, OS X 10.9 features new Maps, iBooks, and Tags for the first time, as well as upgrades Notification Center by allowing users to reply directly from notifications.

source: Apple Wiki | Fandom

11. OS X 10.10 Yosemite

October 16, 2014: Biggest redesign in years. From small things like thin fonts and new color schemes to the big shift towards flat graphic design, which better matches the design of iOS. What’s more, Yosemite introduces Handoff and Continuity. This once again confirms Apple’s intention to craft a better cross-device experience in the future.

source: TechRadar

12. OS X 10.11 El Capitan

September 30, 2015: El Capitan is faster, better, stronger than the previous operating system, due to a major performance boost. For example, it allows opening apps 40% faster than old systems. Also, this is the year when Split View’s dual-pane emerges, opening up new possibilities for managing windows on Mac.

source: Softpedia

13. macOS 10.12 Sierra

September 20, 2016: With Sierra, Apple shifts to the "macOS" naming. Again, more iOS perks arrive, such as unlocking a Mac with Apple Watch. There’s also a new Storage Optimization feature with a detailed overview of storage and suggestions on how to free up disk space. And, hey Siri!

source: TechRadar

Read also:

• Macos Catalina vs Mojave
• 17 Best macOS High Sierra Features
• Monterey vs Big Sur
• macOS Ventura vs Monterey

14. macOS 10.13 High Sierra

September 25, 2017: macOS High Sierra adds a new video standard called HEIC and a transition to Apple File System (APFS), which is an improved alternative to its predecessor file system HFS+. Apart from that, there are a few enhancements in Safari, Mail, and Photo —but nothing major.

source: PCMAG

15. macOS 10.14 Mojave

September 24, 2018: That’s when things go dark. We mean Dark Mode! Mac users can now move through their day-and-night routine, with the colors of the screen moving with them, thanks to Dynamic Desktop feature. There are more and more apps that arrive from iOS, including Stocks, News, and Home.

source: PCMAG

16. macOS 10.15 Catalina

October 7, 2019: macOS Catalina marks the death of iTunes, splitting Apple’s top-destination for media content into three dedicated apps —Music, Podcasts, and Movies. Apple continues aligning iOS and macOS with Sidecar, a feature that lets your connect an iPad screen to your Mac, and the ability for developers to port iOS apps to macOS.

source: PCMAG

17. macOS 11 Big Sur

November 19, 2020: There’s no macOS 10.16, because Big Sur deserves a more epic version name — 11.0. Bringing a huge design change and transition to Apple’s M1 Macs, macOS Big Sur is the one to remember. This is the first operating system that allows running iOS apps natively on Mac —the so-called Universal apps.

source: apple.com

Read more:

• Fix macOS 14 Sonoma problems
• How to fix ‘my Mac won’t update’ issue
• How to create a bootable USB drive on Mac
• Apple serial number lookup

18. macOS 12 Monterey

October 25, 2021: macOS Monterey brings Shortcuts —the ability to set up quick actions with different apps to automate your flow. Apart from that, there’s Universal Control, a natural transitioning across your Mac and iOS devices (for example, you can move your cursor between Mac and iPad); redesigned Safari with tab groups, and a range of cool FaceTime enhancements. More on macOS 12 Monterey here.

19. macOS 13 Ventura

October 25, 2022: macOS Ventura arrives with a major interface change, the feature called Stage Manager. While it’s opt-in, many users will make Stage Manager a default because it’s a great way to transition between tasks and workspaces. Essentially, Stage Manager automatically organizes active windows into stacks, placed on the left side of the screen. Other Ventura goodies? Continuity Camera, Undo Send in Mail, and more.

source: apple.com

20. macOS 14 Sonoma

September 26, 2023: macOS Sonoma offers a handful of important improvements over macOS 13 Ventura and earlier versions. With Sonoma, you can add and interact with widgets on your desktop, treat websites like standalone apps, create multi-user profiles in the Safari browser, enjoy a completely redesigned presenter view in video calls, add reaction effects to your meetings with intuitive gestures, enjoy all-new games, and much more. Read more about macOS Sonoma best features.

21. macOS 15 Sequoia

September 16, 2024: Apple Intelligence is here for the first time! New Writing Tools help you polish your text, and Image Playground and Genmoji help you create images. Siri better understands mumbles and gives contextual answers. Another new feature is iPhone Mirroring, which lets you control iPhone from your Mac, even when your phone is locked. Plus, there's a new cross-platform Passwords app.

source: apple.com

How to check the latest macOS on your Mac

Before you upgrade, you should find out what your current macOS is. Some macOS versions can’t be "skipped." For example, if you want to upgrade to Lion, you should first install Snow Lion.

Here’s how to check your operating system version on Mac (macOS 12 and earlier)

1. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac.
2. See the name of your current macOS in the Overview section.
3. To check for pending macOS updates, choose Software Update.

While Apple revamped System Preferences on macOS Ventura, the flow of checking your current macOS version is slightly different. You should go directly to System Preferences — now called System Settings —and find the Software Update tab in there.

Tip:

If you don’t want to upgrade, but you feel like "you have to" because your Mac is slowing down or acting weird, don’t rush into it. Check what’s wrong with your Mac usingiStat Menus, a real-time system monitor that can identify any pitfalls in your system. Maybe some apps are putting pressure on your Mac, or you’re low on storage. In this case, a macOS update won’t help.

How to update to the latest version of macOS

Older Mac OS X releases or newest macOS, the process of updating operating systems follows the same logic:

1. First, you backup your data to make it available on the new macOS.
2. Second, you make sure you have enough space on Mac to install new macOS.
3. Third, you download and install the new update.

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The first step is essential. Without securely backing up your disk, you might lose access to the images, docs, and whatever essential stuff stored on Mac. We recommend Get Backup Pro or ChronoSync Express to run a backup. The former can back up selected files and the latter does a great job backing up folders. So you don’t have to back up the whole disk, with all the clutter stored on it.

Here’s how to create a backup with Get Backup Pro:

1. Click on the "+" button in Backups to create a new project.
2. Choose a destination for your backup.
3. Click File+ to add files for backup.
4. Press Start.

Back up folders with ChronoSync Express:

1. Choose "Create a new synchronization task" on the right.
2. Name the project.
3. Choose folders for backup.
4. Choose your backup destination.
5. Hit the arrow button to start backing up.

Once you’ve secured the data, go ahead and clean your Mac with CleanMyMac. Remove clutter, system files, unused apps and app caches, etc. This way, you’ll free up lots of storage and get your Mac ready for a new macOS installation. We recommend starting with Smart Care, but if you want to go for a deeper clean up, go through dedicated tools. They all work like magic.

Nice work! Now you’re ready to install the latest or any other macOS version you want to try. Also, check this article on detailed instructions on how to update macOS.

FAQs about macOS Versions

How to get old versions of macOS?

There are a few methods to get old versions of macOS:

• App Store: Search for previous versions of macOS and download them if available.
• Apple Support: Visit support.apple.com to get old versions of macOS.
• Bootable installer: Use a previously saved installer to create a bootable USB drive via Disk Utility or Terminal.

What are macOS versions named after?

macOS versions are named after iconic California landmarks that reflect Apple’s connection to its home state, such as Yosemite and Sierra. Previously, they were named after big cats, like Puma, Cheetah, and Leopard.

What is the most common version of macOS?

The most common versions of macOS are:

1. macOS Monterey (version 12)
2. macOS Ventura (version 13)
3. macOS Big Sur (version 11)

Which macOS is fastest?

The fastest macOS depends on your specific hardware. Generally, macOS Monterey (version 12) and macOS Big Sur (version 11) are recognized for their speed and optimization on most modern Macs.

Is macOS faster than Windows 11?

Whether macOS is faster than Windows 11 depends on the hardware and tasks performed:

• macOS: Optimized for Apple hardware, offering smooth performance, efficient resource management, and excellent multitasking, especially on Macs with M chips.
• Windows 11: Versatile and compatible with a wider range of devices, though it may run slower on less powerful machines. It excels in gaming and supports various software applications.

What are the most significant macOS versions?

The most significant macOS versions marked key advancements in functionality, design, and hardware support:

• Mac OS X Cheetah (2001): Introduced the Aqua interface and UNIX-based core.
• Mac OS X Leopard (2007): Added Time Machine, Boot Camp, and revamped design.
• OS X Yosemite (2014): Introduced a flat design and Continuity features.
• macOS Big Sur (2020): Redefined the interface and introduced M1 chip support.
• macOS Sonoma (2023): Focused on gaming and productivity with widgets and screen-sharing upgrades.
• macOS Sequoia (2024): Introduced Apple Intelligence and iPhone Mirroring.

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