Questioning what the identify of the newest macOS model is? Curious concerning the variations of Mac OS X that got here earlier than? Right here we’ll fill you in on the names of the totally 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 test which model of macOS you might be working and discover out what the newest model of macOS is.
If you’re questioning what the newest model of macOS is it’s Ventura, also referred to as macOS 13. Ventura arrived on Monday, October 25, 2022, and is at the moment on model 13.3, which arrived on March 27, 2023. For extra data, learn Everything you need to know about macOS Ventura.
Ventura will finally get replaced within the fall of 2023 with regardless of the subsequent model of macOS might be – Apple will reveal all on the keynote that kicks off the WWDC convention for 2023 earlier than making the ultimate model obtainable to obtain within the fall (normally within the September or October time-frame).
If you’re searching for assist putting in Ventura learn: How to update macOS and Fixes for Macs that won’t update. If you wish to install the latest beta of macOS Ventura examine joining Apple’s beta program.
Historical past of macOS
Mac OS X was launched greater than twenty years in the past on March 24, 2001. There’s been loads of 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 advanced by numerous iterations and numerous designs to what we all know in the present day. We’ve seen tight integration with iOS units, the incorporation of the cloud, and the arrival of fantastic 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 effectively.
For an summary of the options of the assorted 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 had been used internally, learn on.
Checklist of macOS model names and newest variations
Right here’s an summary 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)
- macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (Newest: 10.15.7, Safety Replace 2022-005)
- macOS 11: Large Sur (GoldenGate) – November 12, 2020 (Newest: 11.7.5)
- macOS 12: Monterey (Star) – October 25, 2021 (Newest: 12.6.4)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Newest: 13.3)
We now have a full list of which Macs run which versions of Mac OS X and macOS here.

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Mac OS X and macOS names
As you possibly can see from the checklist above, excluding the primary OS X beta, all variations of the Mac working system from 2001 to 2012 had been all named after large cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the ultimate launch, Mountain Lion.
However whereas the public-facing builds had been named after large cats, internally, they had 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 vary the theme of inner code names from wines to forms of apples. Unique.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to unify the branding of its working programs 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, Ventura, also referred to as macOS 13.
The earlier two variations of macOS additionally obtain safety updates and bug fixes. If you’re working macOS 12 Monterey and macOS 11 Large Sur it’s best to set up the common safety updates. The newest variations of these two Mac working programs are listed above.
Because the arrival of Ventura Apple now not helps macOS Catalina, which arrived in 2019. See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last?
Apple additionally points updates to its Safari net browser. The newest model of Safari for Mac is 16.3 (as of February 2023) and it requires Large Sur, Monterey, or Ventura.

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Find out how to inform which macOS model you might be working
You possibly can inform which model of macOS you might be working by clicking on the Apple emblem within the prime left and selecting About This Mac. It would clearly present which model of macOS you might be working together with the latest model that your Mac has put in

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Find out how to set up the newest model of macOS
If you wish to replace your Mac to a more recent model of macOS the strategy might be decided by the model of macOS you might be working.
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.
Nonetheless, that modified barely with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. Now working system updates are available in by way of a brand new Software program Updates pane in System Preferences. You possibly can nonetheless discover the software program within the Mac App Retailer, however additionally, you will see it in System Preferences > Software program Replace. One of many advantages of that is that your Mac might be set to mechanically obtain the newest updates and set up them, conserving your Mac up-to-date with minimal effort in your half.
You will get to System Preferences from the Apple menu: Click on on the Apple emblem within the prime left and select System Preferences. It’s possible you’ll be taken straight to the Software program Replace pane, if not click on on the Software program Replace cog icon. Your Mac will seek for an replace and if there’s one you possibly can select Replace Now.
Some Macs might be set to replace macOS mechanically. If you would like your Mac to replace mechanically comply with these steps:
In Ventura, Monterey, Large Sur, Mojave, or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on on Software program Replace.
- Verify the field beside 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 test 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 how to update your Mac here.
We even have an inventory of every version of iOS the place you possibly can see the newest variations and the way lengthy Apple helps iOS for.