Compatible macOS versions:
Compatible Mac models:
Keeping track of macOS updates can be tricky, so I’ve compiled a complete list of updates from 2001 to 2024. Use this macOS compatibility checker to stay informed and ensure your system is always up to date.
What macOS Can My Mac Run?
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Apple releases a new macOS update almost every year, but not all Macs are compatible with all new updates. Typically, Apple supports Mac models for 7-8 years before phasing them out, which means older Macs eventually miss out on new features.
Here’s a general guide for more recent systems:
- macOS Sequoia (2024) will support MacBook Air (2020 and later), MacBook Pro (2018 and later), iMac (2019 and later), iMac Pro (2017), Mac Mini (2018 and later), Mac Studio (2022 and later), and Mac Pro (2019 and later).
- Mac models dating back to 2017 support macOS Sonoma (2023), including the 2017 iMac Pro, 2018 and later MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini, 2019 iMac and Mac Pro, and all Mac Studio models.
- Mac models from 2017 onwards, including MacBook Pro, Air, MacBook, Mac Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Studio, support macOS Ventura (2022).
- Mac models from 2013, including certain MacBook Air, Pro, and iMac models, can run macOS Monterey (2021).
- Mac models dating back to 2013, including certain MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac models, are also compatible with macOS Big Sur (2020).
To get the most up-to-date information about macOS versions, please refer to Apple’s official website.
List of All macOS Updates Ever Released (2001 to 2024)
Here’s a comprehensive table listing all macOS updates from 2001 to 2024:
Version | Codename | Release Date |
---|---|---|
macOS 10.0 | Cheetah | March 24, 2001 |
macOS 10.1 | Puma | September 25, 2001 |
macOS 10.2 | Jaguar | August 24, 2002 |
macOS 10.3 | Panther | October 24, 2003 |
macOS 10.4 | Tiger | April 29, 2005 |
macOS 10.5 | Leopard | October 26, 2007 |
macOS 10.6 | Snow Leopard | August 28, 2009 |
macOS 10.7 | Lion | July 20, 2011 |
macOS 10.8 | Mountain Lion | July 25, 2012 |
macOS 10.9 | Mavericks | October 22, 2013 |
macOS 10.10 | Yosemite | October 16, 2014 |
macOS 10.11 | El Capitan | September 30, 2015 |
macOS 10.12 | Sierra | September 20, 2016 |
macOS 10.13 | High Sierra | September 25, 2017 |
macOS 10.14 | Mojave | September 24, 2018 |
macOS 10.15 | Catalina | October 7, 2019 |
macOS 11.0 | Big Sur | November 12, 2020 |
macOS 12.0 | Monterey | October 25, 2021 |
macOS 13.0 | Ventura | October 24, 2022 |
macOS 14.0 | Sonoma | September 26, 2023 |
macOS 15.0 | Sequoia | Fall 2024 (Expected) |
Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of this operating system in this macOS compatibility checker guide.
1. macOS 15 (Sequoia) — 2024
macOS 15 Sequoia, expected in fall 2024, will introduce AI-powered tools in apps like Notes and Mail, improved multitasking with an upgraded window management system, and new features in Messages, Maps, Safari, and Photos. Enhanced privacy controls and better AirPods integration will also be included.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Sequoia
- Mac Studio models (2022 or later)
- iMac models (2019 or later)
- iMac Pro (2017 or later)
- MacBook models (2018 or later)
- MacBook Air models (2018 or later)
- MacBook Pro models (2018 or later)
- Mac mini models (2018 or later)
- Mac Pro models (2019 or later)
2. macOS 14 (Sonoma) — 2023
macOS 14 Sonoma, released on September 26, 2023, introduced desktop widgets, Presenter Overlay for improved video conferencing, Safari Profiles for separating browsing contexts, and a new Game Mode for optimized gaming performance.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Sonoma
- MacBook models (2018 or later)
- MacBook Air models (2018 or later)
- MacBook Pro models (2018 or later)
- Mac mini models (2018 or later)
- iMac models (2019 or later)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models (2019 or later)
- Mac Studio (all models)
3. macOS 13 (Ventura) — 2022
macOS 13 Ventura, released on October 24, 2022, introduced an enhanced Siri, a redesigned Control Center, a revamped Finder, and optimization for the M2 chip for better performance and battery life.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Ventura
- MacBook models (2017 or later)
- MacBook Air models (2018 or later)
- MacBook Pro models (2017 or later)
- Mac mini models (2018 or later)
- iMac models (2017 or later)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models (2019 or later)
- Mac Studio (all models)
4. macOS 12 (Monterey) — 2021
macOS Monterey, released in fall 2021, introduced Universal Control, FaceTime’s Spatial Audio, and Focus mode for improved multitasking. It also revamped Safari with faster performance, more customization, and enhanced privacy features, while Live Text lets you extract text from images.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Monterey
- MacBook models (early 2016 or later)
- MacBook Air models (early 2015 or later)
- MacBook Pro models (early 2015 or later)
- Mac mini models (2014 or later)
- iMac (2015 or later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and later)
- Mac Pro models (late 2013 and later)
- Mac Studio
5. macOS 11 (Big Sur) — 2020
In November 2020, Apple released macOS 11 Big Sur, featuring a redesigned interface, improved notifications, faster performance, and a new Control Center for quick settings access. The update also enhanced the Messages app for easier communication.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Big Sur
- MacBook models (early 2015 or later)
- MacBook Air models (2013 or later)
- MacBook Pro models (2013 or later)
- Mac mini models (2014 or later)
- iMac (2014 or later)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models (2013 and 2019)
6. macOS 10.15 (Catalina) — 2019
❌ Note: The M1-series Macs cannot run Catalina or earlier.
macOS 10.15 Catalina, released in October 2019, introduced features like Sidecar, a revamped Photos app, Screen Time, and improved security. Apple also replaced iTunes with separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps, streamlining media access.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Catalina
- MacBook (2015 to 2017)
- MacBook Air (mid-2012 to 2019)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2012 to 2019)
- Mac mini (late 2012 to late-2018)
- iMac (late 2012 to 2019)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models (from 2013)
7. macOS 10.14 (Mojave) — 2018
🏜️ Did You Know: Mojave, named after the Mojave Desert, introduced a Dark Mode inspired by the desert’s night sky.
macOS Mojave, released on September 24, 2018, introduced Dark Mode, Dynamic Desktop, Stacks, and a redesigned Mac App Store, along with enhanced security and improved privacy settings, making it a significant upgrade over High Sierra.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Mojave
- MacBook (early 2015 to 2017)
- MacBook Air (mid-2012 to 2017)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2012 to 2018)
- Mac mini (late 2012 to late-2018)
- iMac (late 2012 to mid-2017)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro (late 2013, mid-2010, mid-2012 models with metal-capable GPU)
8. macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) — 2017
macOS High Sierra, released on September 25, 2017, introduced the APFS file system for better performance, an enhanced Photos app, and support for external GPUs and VR headsets, making it a favorite among content creators and gamers.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS High Sierra
- MacBook (late 2009 to 2017)
- MacBook Air (late 2010 to 2017)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2010 to 2017)
- Mac mini (mid-2010 to 2014)
- iMac (late 2009 to mid-2017)
- Mac Pro (mid-2010 and 2013)
9. macOS X 10.11 (Sierra) — 2016
macOS Sierra, released on September 20, 2016, introduced Siri integration, Picture-in-Picture mode, and optimized storage to free up disk space. It also improved Continuity for seamless work across Apple devices.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Sierra
- MacBook (late 2009 to 2017)
- MacBook Air (late 2010 to 2017)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2010 to 2015)
- Mac mini (mid-2010 to 2014)
- iMac (late 2009 to 2015)
- Mac Pro (mid-2010 and 2013)
10. macOS X 10.11 (El Capitán) — 2015
macOS X 10.11, released on September 30, 2015, introduced key features like Split View for multitasking and an improved Spotlight search. It also focused on enhancing performance and security for a more stable user experience.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS El Capitán
- MacBook (early 2015 to 2017)
- MacBook (late 2008 to 2010)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 to early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 to early 2015)
- Mac mini (early 2009 to 2014)
- iMac (mid-2007 to mid-2015)
- Mac Pro (2008, 2010, 2013)
11. macOS X 10.10 (Yosemite) — 2014
OS X 10.10 Yosemite, released on October 16, 2014, introduced a refreshed interface, enhanced Spotlight search, seamless iOS integration, and the ability to make phone calls from your Mac. Its standout feature, Continuity, allows seamless transitions between Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Yosemite
- MacBook (late 2008 to 2010)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 to mid-2013)
- 13″ MacBook Pro (mid-2009 to mid-2014)
- 15″ MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 to mid-2014)
- 17″ MacBook Pro (late 2007 to 2011)
- Mac mini (early 2009 to 2012)
- iMac (mid-2007 to mid-2014)
- Mac Pro (2008 and 2010)
12. macOS X 10.9 (Mavericks) — 2013
🌊 Fun Fact: Mavericks marked Apple’s shift from big cat names to California landmarks, introducing a new naming convention.
On October 22, 2013, Apple released OS X 10.9 Mavericks, featuring Finder Tabs and Tags for better file organization, and App Nap, an energy-saving feature that reduces power consumption by pausing inactive apps.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with macOS Mavericks
- MacBook (late 2008 to 2010)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 to mid-2013)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2007 to early 2013)
- Xserve (early 2009)
- Mac mini (early 2009 to 2012)
- iMac (mid-2007 to early 2013)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 and 2010)
13. Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) — 2012
🦁 Fun Fact: The first series of macOS codenames, from 2001’s Cheetah to 2012’s Mountain Lion, were all named after big cats.
Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion), released on July 25, 2012, introduced features like an improved notification center, iCloud integration, a new Messages app, AirPlay Mirroring, Gatekeeper for security, and Game Center for cross-platform gaming with iOS users.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Mountain Lion
- MacBook (late 2008 to 2010)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 to mid-2012)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 to mid-2012)
- Mac mini (early 2009 to 2011)
- iMac (mid-2007 to 2011)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 and 2010)
14. Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) — 2011
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, released on July 20, 2011, introduced Mission Control for managing open windows, along with Launchpad for easy app access and a faster Safari.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Lion
- iMac (mid-2007 or newer)
- MacBook (late 2008 Aluminum or early 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 or newer)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 or newer)
- Mac Mini (early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (early 2009)
15. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) — 2009
📣 Did You Know: Snow Leopard was the first OS X version to run exclusively on Intel-based Macs, dropping support for PowerPC Macs.
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), released on August 28, 2009, brought performance and security enhancements, including faster boot times, improved 64-bit support, and a new QuickTime version.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Snow Leopard
- MacBook (late 2006 models and onwards)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 models and onwards)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 models and onwards)
- iMac (mid-2007 models and onwards)
- Mac Mini (early 2009 models and onwards)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 models and onwards)
- Xserve (early 2009 models)
16. Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) — 2007
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), released on October 26, 2007, introduced Time Machine for easy file recovery, along with Spaces, Quick Look, and Boot Camp as standout features.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Leopard
- iMac (mid-2006 or newer)
- MacBook (late 2006 Aluminum or early 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 or newer)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 or newer)
- Mac Mini (early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (early 2009)
17. Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) — 2005
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), released on April 29, 2005, introduced key features like Spotlight search, Dashboard widgets, Automator workflows, and H.264 video codec support for high-quality playback. Tiger was designed to run on PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Tiger
- PowerBook G4
- Power Mac G5
- iMac G5
- Mac Mini G4
- MacBook Pro (early models until late 2006)
- MacBook (early models until November 2006)
- MacBook Air (Original)
- iMac (early models until late 2006)
- Mac Pro (Original)
- Power Mac G4 (FW 800)
- Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- iMac (Slot Loading): iMac (Summer 2000), iMac (Early 2001), iMac (Summer 2001)
- iMac (Flat Panel): iMac (Early 2002), iMac (Summer 2002), iMac (17-inch 1GHz), iMac (USB 2.0), iMac (Early 2003), iMac (17-inch 1.25GHz)
- eMac: eMac (2002), eMac (ATI Graphics), eMac (USB 2.0), eMac (2003), eMac (2004), eMac (USB 2.0)
- iBook: iBook (Dual USB), iBook (late 2001), iBook (14.1 LCD), iBook (16 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM), iBook (32 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM), iBook (early 2002), iBook (late 2002), iBook (early 2003), iBook (14-inch early 2003), iBook (14-inch Opaque 16 VRAM), iBook (32 VRAM), iBook (early 2004), iBook G4, iBook G4 (early 2004), iBook G4 (14-inch early 2004), iBook G4 (mid-2005)
18. Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) — 2003
Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), released in 2003, introduced a redesigned Finder, Exposé, iChat AV, Safari, FileVault, and improved performance with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support. Panther marked Mac OS X’s transition to a more stable, UNIX-based foundation.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Panther
- iMac (Slot Loading): iMac (Summer 2000), iMac (early 2001), iMac (Summer 2001)
- iMac (Flat Panel): iMac (early 2002), iMac (Summer 2002), iMac (17-inch 1GHz), iMac (USB 2.0), iMac (early 2003), iMac (17-inch 1.25GHz)
- eMac: eMac (2002), eMac (ATI Graphics), eMac (USB 2.0), eMac (2003)
- Power Macintosh G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- iBook (Dual USB)
- iBook (Late 2001)
- iBook (14.1 LCD)
- iBook (16 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
- iBook (32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
- iBook (early 2002), iBook (late 2002), iBook (early 2003), iBook (14-inch early 2003)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
- PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- PowerBook G4 (DVI)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium w/ Gigabit Ethernet)
- PowerBook G4 (1GHz/867 MHz), PowerBook G4 (DVI), PowerBook G4 (12-inch), PowerBook G4 (17-inch), PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver), Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver 2002), Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors), Power Mac G4 (FW 800)
19. Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) — 2002
📢 Fun Fact: Jaguar was the first macOS version to use a codename in marketing materials.
Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar), released on August 24, 2002, featured a new brushed metal interface, CD/DVD burning from the Finder, improved performance, and support for Microsoft Exchange integration.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Jaguar
- iMac (Slot Loading): iMac (Summer 2000), iMac (early 2001), iMac (Summer 2001)
- iMac (Flat Panel): iMac (early 2002), iMac (Summer 2002), iMac (17-inch 1GHz), iMac (USB 2.0)
- eMac: eMac (2002), eMac (ATI Graphics), eMac (USB 2.0)
- Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
- Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver), Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver 2002), Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- iBook (FireWire)
- iBook (Dual USB)
- iBook (Late 2001)
- iBook (14.1 LCD)
- iBook (16 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
- iBook (32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
- iBook (Early 2002), iBook (Late 2002)
- PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
- PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- PowerBook G4 (DVI)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium w/ Gigabit Ethernet)
- PowerBook G4 (1GHz/867 MHz)
20. Mac OS X 10.1 (Puma) — September, 2001
Apple quickly released Mac OS X 10.1 (Puma) on September 25, 2001, to address performance issues in Cheetah. Puma introduced CD burning, a new Mail app, customizable Dock, and DVD playback support.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Puma
- iMac (Slot Loading): iMac (Summer 2000), iMac (early 2001), iMac (Summer 2001)
- iMac (Flat Panel): iMac (early 2002), iMac (Summer 2002)
- eMac: eMac (2002), eMac (ATI Graphics)
- Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
- Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver), Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver 2002)
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- iBook (FireWire)
- iBook (Dual USB)
- iBook (Late 2001)
- iBook (14.1 LCD)
- iBook (16 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
- iBook (32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
- iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
- PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
- PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- PowerBook G4 (DVI)
21. Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah) — March, 2001
🐯 Fun Fact: Mac OS X 10.0 was codenamed Cheetah because it was designed to be fast and sleek, much like the fastest land animal.
Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah), released in 2001, was Apple’s first Mac OS X version. It featured a new user interface, advanced graphics, improved networking, and a modern file system. It replaced Mac OS 9 to offer a more stable and powerful operating system.
List of Apple Computers Compatible with Mac OS Cheetah
- iMac (Slot Loading): iMac (Summer 2000), iMac (early 2001), iMac (Summer 2001)
- iMac (Flat Panel): iMac (early 2002)
- eMac: eMac (2002)
- Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
- Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver)
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- iBook (FireWire)
- iBook (Dual USB)
- iBook (Late 2001)
- PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4 (Titanium)
Find the Right macOS Version For Your Mac
This macOS compatibility checker helps you track how macOS has evolved to meet user needs. Here are a few more tips to keep your system up to date:
- Update your macOS regularly to prevent system glitches from slowing down your Mac.
- You should also update your apps on Mac to avoid app crashes and enjoy smooth operations.
- Regular crashes, freezes, or app issues? You may have to reinstall your macOS on Mac.