macOS is the working system designed to run on Apple laptops and desktop computer systems. As Apple grew and strengthened the ecosystem by way of the years, macOS working system model historical past developed too.
On this article, we information you thru the evolution of Apple’s working system, from the primary public launch in 2001 to the newest macOS Sonoma introduced at WWDC 2023 on June 5.
Is there any distinction between Mac OS X and macOS?
No, they’re basically the identical factor — simply named in another way. In reality, three phrases had been used at completely different instances on the subject of Apple’s working system: Mac OS X, OS X, and macOS. Mac OS X was the official naming by way of model 10.7, from 2001 to 2011. Within the subsequent 4 years, the OS X names had been used. Lastly, Apple shifted to “macOS” with the discharge of macOS Excessive Sierra in 2016. The latter helped standardize the naming of Apple’s working programs — macOS, iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and so on.
Listing of macOS variations
Transient backstory. In 1996, Apple bought NeXT, the corporate Steve Jobs constructed after he had left Apple. The identical 12 months, Jobs returned to Apple and helped construct the primary Mac OS that would compete with Home windows. That’s when it grew to become apparent Apple might develop to change into a giant participant.
The primary ancestor of the macOS household was Mac OS X Public Beta launched in 2000, adopted by a public launch of Mac OS X 10.0 in 2001. Let’s recount the tales of all Mac OS X variations, as much as the present macOS (or take a look at our final infographic.)
1. Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah)
March 24, 2001: Aqua interface is born with Mac OS X Cheetah. It’s a giant step within the evolution of graphical interfaces, with 2D and 3D graphics assist, granting an all-new visible expertise. Cheetah featured a water theme, which, in response to Steve Jobs, “one wished to lick once they noticed it.” Magnificence comes at a value, although. Graphics enhancements made Cheetah very sluggish, which prompted Apple to shift focus from visible expertise to efficiency within the subsequent launch.
supply: Apple Wiki | Fandom
2. Mac OS X 10.1 (Puma)
September 25, 2001: As you might need seen, the primary technology of Apple’s working programs was named after animals. Puma arrived with a strong efficiency increase and some different useful enhancements comparable to simplified CD and DVD burning, new options in Finder, and extra intensive printer assist.
supply: Apple Wiki | Fandom
3. Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)
August 23, 2002: The third launch of Mac OS X added search to Finder (are you able to think about it, Finder used to exist with out it!) Jaguar additionally brings MPEG-4 assist for QuickTime, a spread of privateness options, and, for the primary time, Accessibility API known as Common Entry. A few of the apps born with this launch proceed residing on Mac even at this time (for instance, Handle Ebook, which is now known as Contacts).
supply: VTII Know-how
4. Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)
October 24, 2003: Meet Safari! The primary official net browser made by Apple replaces Web Explorer on Mac. In reality, Safari was obtainable on Jaguar however it’s the primary launch the place it turns into a default browser. Apart from that, Panther provides 150+ new options, together with Font Ebook, Xcode enhancements, and extra.
supply: Cult of Mac
5. Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
April 29, 2005: Did you assume Apple TV is fairly new? Properly, guess what, it was born in 2005, with the discharge of Apple’s fifth working system! Tiger was a fairly large replace. It featured Highlight search, Automator, VoiceOver, and round 200 different enhancements. Throughout this time, Apple additionally switched to Intel’s processors, which made Tiger the primary system working on Macs with Intel chips.
supply: Wikipedia
6. Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
October 26, 2007: Right here comes Leopard, one of the Mac-changing programs. This time, Mac’s desktop adjustments considerably, with Dock, a brand new menu bar, and Stacks. Time Machine, Highlight enhancements, and assist for 64-bit apps arrive too. In reality, Leopard featured a lot new stuff that Apple even needed to delay the preliminary launch date to complete all of it in time.
supply: Apple Wiki | Fandom
7. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
August 28, 2009: Leopard’s successor, Snow Leopard, targeted on increasing 64-bit structure. Many of the native purposes had been rewritten in 64-bit. Again then, consultants used to say that was step one to a full transition, which, as we all know at this time, grew to become true. Additionally, the App Retailer was born within the Snow Leopard period.
supply: Wikipedia
8. Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion)
July 20, 2011: With Lion, Apple brings plenty of helpful enhancements from iOS to Mac OS. Launchpad, multi-touch gestures, and extra. Curiously, many individuals criticized Mac OS X 10.7 for the so-called “pure scrolling,” which moved the content material up once you scroll down. Again then, it appeared extra pure to have the content material transfer down — as Home windows did it.
supply: iXBT
9. OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion)
July 25, 2012: Main apps like Notes, Reminders, and Messages arrive from iOS, turning Mac right into a extra comfy spot for managing your each day routine. Essentially the most vital replace in Mountain Lion is Notification Middle, with on-screen banners speaking updates.
supply: iXBT
10. OS X 10.9 (Mavericks)
October 22, 2013: Working system quantity 10 debuts a spread of privateness options, majorly targeted on password encryption and storage. That is when iCloud Keychain arrives. Additionally, OS X 10.9 options new Maps, iBooks, and Tags for the primary time, in addition to upgrades Notification Middle by permitting customers to answer instantly from notifications.
supply: Apple Wiki | Fandom
11. OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)
October 16, 2014: Greatest redesign in years. From small issues like skinny fonts and new coloration schemes to the massive shift in direction of flat graphic design, which higher matches the design of iOS. What’s extra, Yosemite introduces Handoff and Continuity. This as soon as once more confirms Apple’s intention to craft a greater cross-device expertise sooner or later.
supply: TechRadar
12. OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
September 30, 2015: El Capitan is quicker, higher, stronger than the earlier working system, on account of a serious efficiency increase. For instance, it permits opening apps 40% sooner than outdated programs. Additionally, that is the 12 months when Break up View’s dual-pane emerges, opening up new prospects for managing home windows on Mac.
supply: Softpedia
13. macOS 10.12 (Sierra)
September 20, 2016: With Sierra, Apple shifts to the “macOS” naming. Once more, extra iOS perks arrive, comparable to unlocking a Mac with Apple Watch. There’s additionally a brand new Storage Optimization function with an in depth overview of storage and strategies on liberate disk area. And, hey Siri!
supply: TechRadar
14. macOS 10.13 (Excessive Sierra)
September 25, 2017: macOS Excessive Sierra provides a brand new video customary known as HEIC and a transition to Apple File System (APFS), which is an improved various to its predecessor file system HFS+. Other than that, there are a couple of enhancements in Safari, Mail, and Photograph — however nothing main.
supply: Macworld
15. macOS 10.14 (Mojave)
September 24, 2018: That’s when issues go darkish. We imply Darkish Mode! Mac customers can now transfer by way of their day-and-night routine, with the colours of the display shifting with them, due to Dynamic Desktop function. There are increasingly apps that arrive from iOS, together with Shares, Information, and Dwelling.
supply: apple.com
16. macOS 10.15 (Catalina)
October 7, 2019: macOS Catalina marks the dying of iTunes, splitting Apple’s top-destination for media content material into three devoted apps — Music, Podcasts, and Films. Apple continues aligning iOS and macOS with Sidecar, a function that lets your join an iPad display to your Mac, and the power for builders to port iOS apps to macOS.
supply: Cell Overview
17. macOS 11 (Large Sur)
November 19, 2020: There’s no macOS 10.16, as a result of Large Sur deserves a extra epic model identify — 11.0. Bringing an enormous design change and transition to Apple’s M1 Macs, macOS Large Sur is the one to recollect. That is the primary working system that enables working iOS apps natively on Mac — the so-called Common apps.
supply: apple.com
18. macOS 12 (Monterey)
October 25, 2021: macOS Monterey brings Shortcuts — the power to arrange fast actions with completely different apps to automate your circulate. Other than that, there’s Common Management, a pure transitioning throughout your Mac and iOS gadgets (for instance, you possibly can transfer your cursor between Mac and iPad); redesigned Safari with tab teams, and a spread of cool FaceTime enhancements. Extra on macOS 12 Monterey right here. Additionally, you possibly can verify our articles about improve to macOS Monterey and repair Monterey macOS issues.
19. macOS 13 (Ventura)
October 25, 2022: macOS Ventura arrives with a serious interface change, the function known as Stage Supervisor. Whereas it’s opt-in, many customers will make Stage Supervisor a default as a result of it’s an effective way to transition between duties and workspaces. Basically, Stage Supervisor routinely organizes lively home windows into stacks, positioned on the left aspect of the display. Different Ventura goodies? Continuity Digital camera, Undo Ship in Mail, and extra.
supply: apple.com
20. macOS 14 (Sonoma)
Fall 2023: macOS Sonoma gives a handful of essential enhancements over macOS 13 Ventura and earlier variations. With Sonoma, you possibly can add and work together with widgets in your desktop, deal with web sites like standalone apps, create multi-user profiles within the Safari browser, take pleasure in a totally redesigned presenter view in video calls, add response results to your conferences with intuitive gestures, take pleasure in all-new video games, and far more. Learn extra about macOS Sonoma finest options.
What’s the newest macOS?
New working programs for Mac not solely convey new options, they carry higher efficiency, enhanced privateness, and higher workflow for these working throughout gadgets. If you happen to’re questioning whether or not to improve to the most recent macOS, we’d say sure, it’s price it.
The right way to verify the newest macOS in your Mac
Earlier than you improve, it is best to discover out what your present macOS is. Some macOS variations can’t be “skipped.” For instance, if you wish to improve to Lion, it is best to first set up Snow Lion. Right here’s verify your working system model on Mac (macOS 12 and earlier)
- Go to Apple menu > About This Mac
- See the identify of your present macOS within the Overview part
- To verify for pending macOS updates, select Software program Replace.
Whereas Apple revamped System Preferences on macOS Ventura, the circulate of checking your present macOS model is barely completely different. It is best to go on to System Preferences — now known as System Settings — and discover the Software program Replace tab in there.
The right way to replace to the newest model of macOS
Older Mac OS X releases or latest macOS, the method of updating working programs follows the identical logic:
- First, you backup your knowledge to make it obtainable on the brand new macOS
- Second, you be sure to have sufficient area on Mac to put in new macOS
- Third, you obtain and set up the brand new replace.
Step one is crucial. With out securely backing up your disk, you may lose entry to the pictures, docs, and no matter important stuff saved on Mac. We advocate Get Backup Professional or ChronoSync Specific to run a backup. The previous can again up chosen recordsdata and the latter does an ideal job backing up folders. So that you don’t should again up the entire disk, with all of the litter saved on it.
Right here’s create a backup with Get Backup Professional:
- Click on on the “+” button in Backups to create a brand new challenge
- Select a vacation spot to your backup
- Click on File+ so as to add recordsdata for backup
- Press Begin.
Again up folders with ChronoSync Specific:
- Select “Create a brand new synchronization job” on the precise
- Identify the challenge
- Select folders for backup
- Select your backup vacation spot
- Hit the arrow button to start out backing up.
When you’ve secured the information, go forward and clear your Mac with CleanMyMac X. Take away litter, system recordsdata, unused apps and app caches, and so on. This fashion, you’ll liberate plenty of storage and get your Mac prepared for a brand new macOS set up. We advocate to start out with a Sensible Scan, however if you wish to go for a deeper cleanup, undergo devoted modules, all of them work like magic.
Good work! Now you’re prepared to put in the newest or some other macOS model you wish to strive. For detailed directions on replace macOS, learn this text.
