View source for MacOS version history

{{Short description|History of Apple's current Mac operating system}}
{{For|the history of the classic Macintosh operating system (1984–2001)|Classic Mac OS}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{macOS sidebar}}

The '''history of [[macOS]]''', [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s current [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] [[operating system]] formerly named '''Mac OS X''' until 2011 and then '''OS X''' until 2016, began with the company's project to replace its [[Classic Mac OS|"classic" Mac OS]]. That system, up to and including its final release [[Mac OS 9]], was a direct descendant of the operating system Apple had used in its [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] computers since their introduction in 1984. However, the current macOS is a [[Unix|UNIX]] operating system built on technology that had been developed at [[NeXT]] from the 1980s until Apple purchased the company in early 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sandaruwani |first=dilusha |date=2020-08-06 |title=Evolution of Mac OS |url=https://dilushasandaruwani07.medium.com/evolution-of-mac-os-d1afd29eafe5 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Medium |language=en |archive-date=2023-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705095420/https://dilushasandaruwani07.medium.com/evolution-of-mac-os-d1afd29eafe5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

macOS components derived from [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]] include multiuser access, TCP/IP networking, and memory protection.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Darwin/Conceptual/KernelProgramming/BSD/BSD.html | title=BSD Overview| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107021823/https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Darwin/Conceptual/KernelProgramming/BSD/BSD.html| archive-date=2018-11-07}}</ref>

Although it was originally marketed as simply "version 10" of Mac OS (indicated by the [[Roman numeral]] "X"), it has a completely different [[codebase]] from Mac OS 9, as well as substantial changes to its user interface. The transition was a technologically and strategically significant one. To ease the transition for users and developers, versions 10.0 through 10.4 were able to run Mac OS 9 and its applications in the [[Classic Environment]], a [[compatibility layer]].

macOS was first released in 1999 as [[Mac OS X Server 1.0]]. It was built using the technologies Apple acquired from NeXT, but did not include the signature [[Aqua (user interface)|Aqua]] user interface (UI). The desktop version aimed at regular users—[[Mac OS X 10.0]]—shipped in March 2001. Since then, several more distinct desktop and server editions of macOS have been released. Starting with [[OS X Lion|Mac OS X 10.7 Lion]], [[macOS Server]] is no longer offered as a standalone operating system; instead, server management tools are available for purchase as an add-on. The macOS Server app was discontinued on April 21, 2022, and will stop working on [[macOS Ventura|macOS 13 Ventura]] or later. Starting with the [[Apple–Intel architecture|Intel]] build of [[Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard]], most releases have been certified as Unix systems conforming to the [[Single UNIX Specification]].<ref name="Leopard UNIX certification">{{cite web|author=The Open Group|title=Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard on Intel-based Macintosh computers certification|url=http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3555.htm|access-date=2007-06-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511222112/http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3555.htm|archive-date=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Open Group|title=Mac OS X version 10.6 Leopard on Intel-based Macintosh computers certification|url=http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3581.htm|access-date=2013-07-11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116122629/http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3581.htm|archive-date=2014-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Open Group|title=Mac OS X version 10.8 Mountain Lion on Intel-based Macintosh computers certification|url=https://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3591.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116121907/https://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3591.htm|archive-date=2014-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Open Group|title=Mac OS X version 10.9 Mavericks on Intel-based Macintosh computers certification|url=http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3602.htm|access-date=2013-09-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104072633/http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3602.htm|archive-date=2013-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Open Group|title=OS X version 10.10 Yosemite on Intel-based Macintosh computers certification|url=http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3607.htm|access-date=2014-11-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110131010/http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/brand3607.htm|archive-date=2014-11-10}}</ref>

Lion was referred to by Apple as "Mac OS X Lion" and sometimes as "OS X Lion"; Mountain Lion was officially referred to as just "OS X Mountain Lion", with the "Mac" being completely dropped. The operating system was further renamed to "macOS" starting with macOS Sierra.

macOS retained the major version number 10 throughout its development history until the release of [[MacOS Big Sur|macOS 11 Big Sur]] in 2020.

Mac OS X 10.0 and 10.1 were given names of [[big cats]] as internal code names ("Cheetah" and "Puma").  Starting with Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, big-cat names were used as marketing names; starting with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, names of locations in [[California]] were used as marketing names instead.

The current major version, [[MacOS Sequoia]], was announced on June 10, 2024, at [[WWDC 2024]] and released on September 16 of that year.

==Development==

===Development outside Apple===
[[File:Unix history-simple.svg|thumb|400px|A diagram of the relationships between Unix systems including the ancestors of macOS]]
After [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] removed [[Steve Jobs]] from management in 1985, he left the company and attempted to create the "next big thing", with funding from [[Ross Perot]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Isaacson|first=Walter|author-link=Walter Isaacson|year=2011|title=Steve Jobs|url=https://archive.org/details/stevejobs00isaa|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/stevejobs00isaa/page/227 227]|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=978-1-4087-0374-8}}</ref> and himself. The result was the [[NeXT Computer]]. As the first workstation to include a [[digital signal processor]] (DSP) and a high-capacity optical disc drive, NeXT hardware was advanced for its time, but was expensive relative to the rapidly commoditizing workstation market. The hardware was phased out in 1993; however, the company's [[object-oriented operating system]] [[NeXTSTEP]] had a more lasting legacy as it eventually became the basis for Mac OS X.

NeXTSTEP was based on the [[Mach kernel]] developed at CMU (Carnegie Mellon University)<ref>A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming, 3rd edition, by Mark G. Sobell, page 2</ref> and [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]], an implementation of [[Unix]] dating back to the 1970s. It featured an [[object-oriented]] programming [[Software framework|framework]] based on the [[Objective-C]] language. This environment is known today in the Mac world as [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa]]. It also supported the innovative [[Enterprise Objects Framework]] database access layer and [[WebObjects]] application server development environment, among other notable features.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

All but abandoning the idea of an operating system, NeXT managed to maintain a business selling WebObjects and consulting services, only ever making modest profits in its last few quarters as an independent company. NeXTSTEP underwent an evolution into [[OPENSTEP]] which separated the object layers from the operating system below, allowing it to run with less modification on other platforms. OPENSTEP was, for a short time, adopted by [[Sun Microsystems|Sun]] and [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]].

However, by this point, a number of other companies — notably Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and even Sun itself — were claiming they would soon be releasing similar object-oriented operating systems and development tools of their own. Some of these efforts, such as [[Taligent]], did not fully come to fruition; others, like [[Java platform|Java]], gained widespread adoption.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

On February 4, 1997, [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]] acquired NeXT for $427 million, and used OPENSTEP as the basis for [[Mac OS X]], as it was called at the time.<ref>{{cite book | title=Apple Confidential: The Real Story of Apple Computer, Inc | url=https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia00linz | url-access=registration | last=Linzmayer | first=Owen W. | year=1999| publisher=No Starch Press | isbn=9781886411289 }}</ref> Traces of the NeXT software heritage can still be seen in macOS. For example, in the [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa]] development environment, the [[Objective-C]] library classes have "NS" prefixes, and the HISTORY section of the manual page for the <code>defaults</code> command in macOS straightforwardly states that the command "First appeared in NeXTStep."{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

===Internal development===
Meanwhile, Apple was facing commercial difficulties of its own. The decade-old [[classic Mac OS|Macintosh System Software]] had reached the limits of its single-user, [[co-operative multitasking]] architecture, and its once-innovative user interface was looking increasingly outdated. A massive development effort to replace it, known as [[Copland (operating system)|Copland]], was started in 1994, but was generally perceived outside Apple to be a hopeless case due to political infighting and conflicting goals. By 1996, Copland was nowhere near ready for release, and the project was eventually cancelled. Some elements of Copland were incorporated into [[Mac OS 8]], released on July 26, 1997.

After considering the purchase of [[BeOS]] — a multimedia-enabled, multi-tasking OS designed for hardware similar to Apple's, the company decided instead to acquire NeXT and use [[OPENSTEP]] as the basis for their new OS. [[Avie Tevanian]] took over OS development, and Steve Jobs was brought on as a consultant. At first, the plan was to develop a new operating system based almost entirely on an updated version of OPENSTEP, with the addition of a virtual machine subsystem — known as the ''Blue Box'' — for running "classic" Macintosh applications. The result was known by the code name [[Rhapsody (operating system)|Rhapsody]], slated for release in late 1998.

Apple expected that developers would port their software to the considerably more powerful OPENSTEP libraries once they learned of its power and flexibility. Instead, several major developers such as [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] told Apple that this would never occur, and that they would rather leave the platform entirely. This "rejection" of Apple's plan was largely the result of a string of previous broken promises from Apple; after watching one "next OS" after another disappear and Apple's market share dwindle, developers were not interested in doing much work on the platform at all, let alone a re-write.

===Changed direction under Jobs===
Apple's financial losses continued and the board of directors lost confidence in CEO [[Gil Amelio]], asking him to resign. The board asked [[Steve Jobs]] to lead the company on an interim basis, essentially giving him ''[[wikt:carte blanche|carte blanche]]'' to make changes to return the company to profitability. When Jobs announced at the [[Apple Worldwide Developers Conference|World Wide Developer's Conference]] that what developers really wanted was a modern version of the Mac OS, and Apple was going to deliver it{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}, he was met with applause.

Over the next two years, a major effort was applied to porting the original Macintosh API to Unix libraries known as ''[[Carbon (computing)|Carbon]]''. Mac OS applications could be ported to Carbon without the need for a complete re-write, making them operate as native applications on the new operating system. Meanwhile, applications written using the older toolkits would be supported using the "Classic" Mac OS 9 environment. Support for [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Objective-C]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]], and [[Python (programming language)|Python]] were added, furthering developer comfort with the new platform.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

During this time, the lower layers of the operating system (the [[Mach (kernel)|Mach kernel]] and the BSD layers on top of it<ref>A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming, 3rd edition by Mark G. Sobell, page 2</ref>) were re-packaged and released under the [[Apple Public Source License]]. They became known as [[Darwin (operating system)|Darwin]]. The Darwin kernel provides a stable and flexible operating system, which takes advantage of the contributions of programmers and independent open-source projects outside Apple; however, it sees little use outside the Macintosh community.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

During this period, the [[Java (programming language)|Java programming language]] had increased in popularity, and an effort was started to improve Mac Java support. This consisted of porting a high-speed Java [[virtual machine]] to the platform, and exposing macOS-specific "Cocoa" APIs to the Java language.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The first release of the new OS — [[Mac OS X Server 1.0]] — used a modified version of the Mac OS GUI, but all client versions starting with Mac OS X Developer Preview 3 used a new theme known as [[Aqua (user interface)|Aqua]]. Aqua marked a significant shift from the Mac OS 9 interface, which had seen minimal changes since the original Macintosh OS. It introduced full-color scalable graphics, text and graphic anti-aliasing, simulated shading and highlights, transparency, shadows, and animation. A new feature was the Dock, an application launcher which took advantage of these capabilities.

Despite this, Mac OS X maintained a substantial degree of consistency with the traditional Mac OS interface and Apple's own [https://web.archive.org/web/20110805043358/http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/AppleHIGuidelines/Intro/Intro.html Apple Human Interface Guidelines], with its pull-down menu at the top of the screen, familiar keyboard shortcuts, and support for a single-button mouse. The development of Aqua was delayed somewhat by the switch from OpenStep's [[Display PostScript]] engine to one developed in-house that was free of any license restrictions, known as [[Quartz (graphics layer)|Quartz]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==Releases==
<!-- To edit go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:MacOS_versions -->
{{MacOS versions}}
With the exception of [[Mac OS X Server 1.0]] and the original public beta, the first several macOS versions were named after [[big cat]]s. Prior to its release, [[Mac OS X 10.0|version 10.0]] was [[code name]]d "Cheetah" internally at Apple, and [[Mac OS X 10.1|version 10.1]] was code named internally as "Puma".

After the code name "Jaguar" for [[Mac OS X 10.2|version 10.2]] received publicity in the media, Apple began openly using the names to promote the operating system: [[Mac OS X Panther|10.3]] was marketed as "Panther", [[Mac OS X Tiger|10.4]] as "Tiger", [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5]] as "Leopard", [[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|10.6]] as "Snow Leopard", [[Mac OS X Lion|10.7]] as "Lion", and [[Mac OS X Mountain Lion|10.8]] as "Mountain Lion". "Panther", "Tiger", and "Leopard" were registered as trademarks.

Apple registered "Lynx" and "Cougar", but these were allowed to lapse.<ref>Trademark #78257226 for Panther, #78269988 for Tiger, #78270003 for Leopard, #78271630 for Cougar and #78271639 for Lynx, all registered in 2004 by Apple Computer, Inc.
{{cite web
 |title=United States Patent and Trademark Office 
 |url=http://www.uspto.gov/index.html 
 |access-date=December 20, 2006 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220025116/http://www.uspto.gov/index.html 
 |archive-date=December 20, 2006 
}}</ref> Apple started using the name of locations in California for subsequent releases: [[OS X Mavericks|10.9 Mavericks]] was named after [[Mavericks, California|Mavericks]], a popular surfing destination; [[OS X Yosemite|10.10 Yosemite]] was named after [[Yosemite National Park]]; [[OS X El Capitan|10.11 El Capitan]] was named for the [[El Capitan]] rock formation in Yosemite National Park; [[macOS Sierra|10.12 Sierra]] was named for the [[Sierra Nevada]] mountain range; and [[MacOS High Sierra|10.13 High Sierra]] was named for the area around the [[High Sierra Camps]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ha |first=Anthony |date=2013-06-10 |title=Apple Has A New, California-Based Naming Scheme For OS X, Starting With OS X Mavericks |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/10/os-x-mavericks/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=2017-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709214256/https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/10/os-x-mavericks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, OS X was renamed to macOS. A few years later, in 2020, with the release of [[macOS Big Sur]], the first component of the version number was incremented from 10 to 11, so Big Sur's initial release's version number was 11.0 instead of 10.16, making the version numbers of macOS behave the way the version numbers of Apple's other operating systems do.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-wwdc-2016-ios-10-mac-os-and-more/|title=Apple unveils iOS 10, macOS, and more at WWDC 2016|first=Brian|last=Mastroianni|date=June 13, 2016|website=[[CBS News]]|quote=Perhaps one of the announcements that stood out the most was a slight name change. The desktop operating system Mac OS X will now be called macOS to better match with the way the company's other operating systems are named.|access-date=September 27, 2023|archive-date=September 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925210258/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-wwdc-2016-ios-10-mac-os-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> All subsequent major releases also increased the first component of the version number.

===Mac OS X Public Beta===
{{Main|Mac OS X Public Beta}}
On September 13, 2000, Apple released a $29.95<ref>
{{cite web
| author=John Siracusa
| url=https://arstechnica.com/reviews/4q00/macosx-pb1/macos-x-beta-1.html
| title=Mac OS X Beta&nbsp;– Page 1 – (10/2000)
| publisher=[[Condé Nast Publishing|Condé Nast Digital]]
| work=[[Ars Technica]]
| access-date=March 11, 2010
| url-status=live
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030014232/http://arstechnica.com/reviews/4q00/macosx-pb1/macos-x-beta-1.html
| archive-date=October 30, 2009
}}</ref> "preview" version of [[Mac OS X Public Beta|Mac OS X]] (internally codenamed [[Kodiak bear|Kodiak]]) in order to gain feedback from users.<ref>
{{cite web
| url=https://opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/DevToolsJun2005/gas-590/Makefile
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114075402/http://www.opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/DevToolsJun2005/gas-590/Makefile
| archive-date=2009-01-14
| title=Makefile
| quote=RC Release is Kodiak (Public Beta)
| access-date=December 15, 2008
|date=June 2005
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
}}</ref> It marked the first public availability of the [[Aqua (user interface)|Aqua interface]], and Apple made many changes to the UI based on customer feedback. Mac OS X Public Beta expired and ceased to function on May 14, 2001.<ref>
{{cite web
| url=http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Mac_OS_X_Public_Beta_Expires_Today/
| title=Mac OS X Public Beta Expires Today &#124; News
| publisher=The Mac Observer
| access-date=March 11, 2010
| url-status=live
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608083239/http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Mac_OS_X_Public_Beta_Expires_Today/
| archive-date=June 8, 2011
}}</ref>

===Mac OS X 10.0 "Cheetah"===
On March 24, 2001, Apple released [[Mac OS X 10.0]] (internally codenamed [[Cheetah]]).<ref>Although the version is now called Cheetah by users, rare evidences can be found to prove that it was called so internally. For instance, a Q&A was created in 2005 which mentions it
{{cite web
| title=Technical Q&A
| url=https://developer.apple.com/qa/qa2004/qa1378.html
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| access-date=December 20, 2006
| date=October 4, 2005
| url-status=live
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518083217/http://developer.apple.com/qa/qa2004/qa1378.html
| archive-date=May 18, 2008
}}</ref>
The initial version was slow, incomplete, and had very few applications available at the time of its launch, mostly from independent developers. Critics suggested that the operating system was not ready for mainstream adoption, but they recognized the importance of its initial launch as a base to improve upon. Simply releasing Mac OS X was received by the Macintosh community as a great accomplishment, for attempts to completely overhaul the Mac OS had been underway since 1996, and delayed by countless setbacks. Following some bug fixes, [[kernel panic]]s became much less frequent.

===Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma"===
[[Mac OS X 10.1]] (internally codenamed ''Puma'') was released on September 25, 2001.<ref>{{cite web
| title=Cross-Development
| url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/cross_development/Using/chapter_3_section_4.html
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520203932/http://developer.apple.com/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/cross_development/Using/chapter_3_section_4.html
| archive-date=2007-05-20
| access-date=December 20, 2006
| date=November 11, 2006
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
}}</ref>
It has better performance and provided missing features, such as DVD playback. Apple released 10.1 as a free upgrade CD for 10.0 users. Apple released a {{US$|129}} upgrade CD for [[Mac OS 9]].

On January 7, 2002, Apple announced that Mac OS X was to be the default operating system for all Macintosh products by the end of that month.<ref name="default os">{{cite press release
 |url          = https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs/
 |title        = Apple Makes Mac OS X the Default Operating System on All Macs
 |date         = January 7, 2002
 |access-date  = December 3, 2006
 |publisher    = [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
 |archive-date = October 10, 2017
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010053540/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

=== Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar ===
On August 23, 2002,<ref>{{cite press release
| url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/08/23Jaguar-Unleashed-at-10-20-p-m-Tonight/
| title=Jaguar "Unleashed" at 10:20 p.m. Tonight
| date=August 23, 2002
| access-date=January 10, 2018
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| archive-date=January 3, 2018
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133602/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/08/23Jaguar-Unleashed-at-10-20-p-m-Tonight/
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
Apple followed up with [[Mac OS X 10.2]] [[Jaguar]], the first release to use its code name as part of the branding.<ref>The headline of the press release mention "Jaguar", while the codename was not mentioned for earlier versions. See [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/05/06Apple-Previews-Jaguar-the-Next-Major-Release-of-Mac-OS-X/ Apple.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133442/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/05/06Apple-Previews-Jaguar-the-Next-Major-Release-of-Mac-OS-X/ |date=2018-01-03 }}, "Jaguar" press release, compared to [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/01/09Apples-Mac-OS-X-to-Ship-on-March-24/ Mac OS X 10.0 press release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072845/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/01/09Apples-Mac-OS-X-to-Ship-on-March-24 |date=2018-01-03 }} and [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/09/25First-Major-Upgrade-to-Mac-OS-X-Hits-Stores-This-Weekend/ Mac OS X 10.1 press release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133324/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2001/09/25First-Major-Upgrade-to-Mac-OS-X-Hits-Stores-This-Weekend |date=2018-01-03 }}</ref>
It brought great raw performance improvements, a sleeker look, and many powerful user-interface enhancements (over 150, according to Apple<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Apple – Mac OS X 
 |url=https://www.apple.com/macosx/ 
 |access-date=June 12, 2008 
 |date=August 29, 2002 
 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020829042532/http://www.apple.com/macosx/ 
 |archive-date=August 29, 2002 
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref>
), including [[Quartz Compositor|Quartz Extreme]] for compositing graphics directly on an [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Radeon]] or [[Nvidia]] [[GeForce 2 Series|GeForce2]] MX AGP-based video card with at least 16 MB of VRAM, a system-wide repository for contact information in the new [[Address Book (application)|Address Book]], and an instant messaging client named [[iChat]].<ref>{{cite press release
| title=Apple Previews "Jaguar," the Next Major Release of Mac OS X
| url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/05/06Apple-Previews-Jaguar-the-Next-Major-Release-of-Mac-OS-X/
| access-date=January 10, 2018
| date=May 6, 2002
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| archive-date=January 3, 2018
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133442/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/05/06Apple-Previews-Jaguar-the-Next-Major-Release-of-Mac-OS-X/
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
The [[Happy Mac]] which had appeared during the Mac OS startup sequence for almost 18 years was replaced with a large grey Apple logo with the introduction of Mac OS X 10.2.

=== Mac OS X 10.3 Panther ===
[[Mac OS X Panther]] was released on October 24, 2003. In addition to providing much improved performance, it also incorporated the most extensive update yet to the user interface. Panther included as many or more new features as Jaguar had the year before, including an updated Finder, incorporating a brushed-metal interface, [[Fast user switching]], [[Exposé (Mac OS X)|Exposé]] (Window manager), [[FileVault]], [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]], iChat AV (which added [[videoconferencing]] features to iChat), improved [[Portable Document Format]] (PDF) rendering and much greater [[Microsoft Windows]] interoperability.<ref>{{cite press release
| url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/10/08Apple-Announces-Mac-OS-X-Panther/
| title=Apple Announces Mac OS X "Panther"
| date=October 8, 2003
| access-date=January 10, 2018
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| archive-date=May 4, 2021
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504012916/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/10/08Apple-Announces-Mac-OS-X-Panther/
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
Support for some early G3 computers such as the [[Power Macintosh G3|Power Macintosh]] and [[PowerBook G3|PowerBook]] was discontinued.

=== Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger ===
[[Mac OS X Tiger]] was released on April 29, 2005. Apple stated that Tiger contained more than 200 new features.<ref>{{cite press release
| title=Apple Unleashes "Tiger Friday at 6:00 p.m.
| url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/04/28Apple-Unleashes-Tiger-Friday-at-6-00-p-m/
| date=April 28, 2005
| access-date=January 10, 2018
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| archive-date=March 22, 2018
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322214937/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/04/28Apple-Unleashes-Tiger-Friday-at-6-00-p-m/
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
As with Panther, certain older machines were no longer supported; Tiger requires a Mac with a built-in [[FireWire]] port.
Among the new features, Tiger introduced [[Spotlight (software)|Spotlight]], [[Dashboard (Mac OS)|Dashboard]], [[Virtual folder|Smart Folders]], updated Mail program with Smart Mailboxes, [[QuickTime]] 7, [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] 2, [[Automator (software)|Automator]], [[VoiceOver]], [[Core Image]] and [[Core Video]]. The initial release of the [[Apple TV]] used a modified version of Tiger with a different graphical interface and fewer applications and services.<ref name=":1">{{cite web| url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/06/01/10/apple_unveils_intel_imacs| title=Apple unveils Intel iMacs| publisher=AppleInsider| date=January 2006| access-date=January 10, 2018| archive-date=August 4, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804095829/https://appleinsider.com/articles/06/01/10/apple_unveils_intel_imacs| url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 10, 2006, Apple released the first [[x86|Intel x86]]-based Macs along with the 10.4.4 update to Tiger. This operating system functioned identically on the [[PowerPC]]-based Macs and the new Intel-based machines, with the exception of the Intel release dropping support for the Classic environment.<ref name=":1" /> 10.4.4 introduced [[Rosetta (software)#Rosetta|Rosetta]], which translated 32-bit PowerPC machine code to 32-bit x86 code, allowing applications for PowerPC to run on Intel-based Macs without modification.
Only PowerPC Macs can be booted from retail copies of the Tiger client DVD, but there is a Universal DVD of Tiger Server 10.4.7 (8K1079) that can boot both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

=== Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard ===
[[Mac OS X Leopard]] was released on October 26, 2007. Apple called it "the largest update of Mac OS X". Leopard supports both [[PowerPC]]- and [[X86|Intel x86]]-based Macintosh computers; support for Macs with the G3 processor was dropped, and Macs with the G4 processor required a minimum clock rate of 867&nbsp;MHz and at least 512 MB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] to be installed. The single DVD works for all supported Macs (including 64-bit machines). New features include a new look, an updated Finder, [[Time Machine (macOS)|Time Machine]], [[Spaces (software)|Spaces]], [[Boot Camp (software)|Boot Camp]] pre-installed,<ref name="bootcamp">
{{cite web
| url=https://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
| title=Apple&nbsp;– BootCamp
| year=2006
| access-date=June 5, 2006
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060602044022/http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/ |archive-date = June 2, 2006}}</ref> full support for [[64-bit]] applications (including graphical applications), new features in [[Mail (OS X)|Mail]] and [[iChat]], and a number of new security features.

Leopard, on the Intel platform, is the first [[Single UNIX Specification|Open Brand UNIX 03]] registered version of macOS. It was also the first [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD-based]] OS to receive UNIX 03 certification.<ref name="Leopard UNIX certification"/><ref>
{{cite web
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| title=Mac OS X Leopard&nbsp;– Technology&nbsp;– UNIX
| url=https://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/unix.html
| work=Leopard Technology Overview
| access-date=October 26, 2007
| quote=Leopard is now an Open Brand UNIX 03 Registered Product, conforming to the SUSv3 and POSIX 1003.1 specifications for the C API, Shell Utilities, and Threads.
| url-status=dead
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609032125/http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/unix.html
| archive-date=June 9, 2011
}}</ref> Leopard dropped support for the [[Classic Environment]] and all Classic applications,<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303137
| title=Do Classic applications work with Mac OS X 10.5 or Intel-based Macs?
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| work=Knowledge Base
| date=January 13, 2006
| access-date=October 25, 2007
| url-status=dead
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025084826/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303137
| archive-date=October 25, 2007
}}</ref> and was the final version of Mac OS X to support the PowerPC architecture.

=== Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard ===
[[Mac OS X Snow Leopard]] was released on August 28, 2009, the last version to be available on disc. Rather than delivering big changes to the appearance and end user functionality like the previous releases of {{nowrap|Mac OS X}}, the development of Snow Leopard was deliberately focused on "under the hood" changes, increasing the performance, efficiency, and stability of the operating system. For most users, the most noticeable changes were a difference in the disk space that the operating system frees up after a clean installation when compared to [[Mac OS X Leopard|Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard]], a more responsive [[Finder (software)|Finder]] rewritten in [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa]], faster [[Time Machine (macOS)|Time Machine]] backups, more reliable and user friendly disk ejects, a more powerful version of the Preview application, and a faster [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] web browser.

An update also introduced support for the [[Mac App Store]], Apple's digital distribution platform for macOS applications and subsequent macOS upgrades.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/mac-app-store-launches-on-snow-leopard/|title=Mac App Store launches on Snow Leopard|first=Don|last=Reisinger|date=January 6, 2011|publisher=[[CNET]]}}</ref> Snow Leopard only supports Macs with Intel CPUs, requires at least 1 GB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]], and drops default support for applications built for the [[PowerPC]] architecture. However, [[Rosetta (software)|Rosetta]] can be installed as an additional component to retain support for PowerPC-only applications.<ref>
{{cite web
| first=Steven
| last=Lynch
| url=http://www.hardocp.com/news/2008/06/11/snow_leopard_will_support_powerpcs
| publisher=HardOCP
| title=Mac OS X Snow Leopard Drops PowerPC Support
| date=June 12, 2008
| access-date=October 20, 2010
| url-status=live
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927054316/http://www.hardocp.com/news/2008/06/11/snow_leopard_will_support_powerpcs
| archive-date=September 27, 2011
}}</ref> It is the final version to support 32-bit Intel Macs.

=== Mac OS X 10.7 Lion ===
[[Mac OS X Lion]] (also known as OS X Lion) was released on July 20, 2011. It brought developments made in Apple's iOS, such as an easily navigable display of installed applications ([[Launchpad (Mac OS X)|Launchpad]]) and (a greater use of) [[multi-touch]] gestures, to the Mac. This release removed [[Rosetta (software)|Rosetta]], making it incapable of running PowerPC applications. It requires 2 GB of memory. Changes made to the graphical user interface (GUI) include the Launchpad (similar to the home screen of iOS and iPadOS devices), auto-hiding scrollbars that only appear when they are being used, and Mission Control, which unifies Exposé, Spaces, Dashboard, and full-screen applications within a single interface.<ref>
{{cite web
| title=Apple – OS X Lion – The world's most advanced desktop operating system.
| url=https://www.apple.com/macosx/lion/
| date=October 20, 2010
| access-date=October 20, 2010
| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| url-status=live
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022133532/http://www.apple.com/macosx/lion/
| archive-date=October 22, 2010
}}</ref>
Apple also made changes to applications: they resume in the same state as they were before they were closed (similar to iOS). Documents auto-save by default.

=== OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion ===
[[OS X Mountain Lion]] was released on July 25, 2012. It incorporates some features seen in iOS 5, which include [[Game Center]], support for [[iMessage]] in the new [[Messages (Apple)|Messages]] messaging application, and Reminders as a to-do list app separate from [[iCal]] (which is renamed as Calendar, like the iOS app). It also includes support for storing [[iWork]] documents in [[iCloud]]. 2 GB of memory is required.<ref>
{{cite web| title=Apple – OS X Mountain Lion – The world's most advanced desktop operating system.| url=https://www.apple.com/macosx/mountain-lion/| date=February 16, 2012| access-date=February 16, 2012| publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216192032/http://www.apple.com/macosx/mountain-lion/| archive-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref> Application pop-ups are now concentrated on the corner of the screen, and the Center itself is pulled from the right side of the screen. Mountain Lion also includes more Chinese features, including support for [[Baidu]] as an option for [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] search engine.<ref name="chinamtnlion">{{cite web | url=https://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/02/16/apple-is-serious-about-china-sina-weibo-baidu-youku-and-more-integrated-into-mountain-lion/ | title=Apple courts China with Sina Weibo, Baidu, Youku and more integrated in Mountain Lion | publisher=The Next Web | date=February 16, 2012 | access-date=March 15, 2012 | author=Panzarino, Matthew | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321020638/http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/02/16/apple-is-serious-about-china-sina-weibo-baidu-youku-and-more-integrated-into-mountain-lion/ | archive-date=March 21, 2012 }}</ref> [[Notification Center]] is added, providing an overview of alerts from applications. It is a desktop version similar to the one in iOS 5.0 and higher. Notes is added, as an application separate from Mail, synching with its [[iOS]] counterpart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/osx/whats-new/features.html#notes|title=OS X Mountain Lion – See everything the new OS X can do.|at=Section "Notes"|publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]|access-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815051948/http://www.apple.com/osx/whats-new/features.html#notes|archive-date=August 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Titlow|first=John Paul|title=Apple's Convergence of Desktop and Mobile Continues With Mountain Lion|url=http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/apples_convergence_of_desktop_and_mobile_continues.php|publisher=[[SAY Media]]|work=[[ReadWriteWeb]]|access-date=24 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421084135/http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/apples_convergence_of_desktop_and_mobile_continues.php|archive-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> through the iCloud service. Messages, an [[instant messaging]] [[software application]],<ref name="Apple">{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/macosx/mountain-lion/features.html#messages |title=OS X Mountain Lion – Inspired by iPad. Made for the Mac |publisher=Apple |access-date=2012-03-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322155649/http://www.apple.com/macosx/mountain-lion/features.html#messages |archive-date=2012-03-22 }}</ref> replaces [[iChat]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cheng|first=Jacqui|title=OS X Mountain Lion now available via Mac App Store|date=25 July 2012|url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/07/os-x-mountain-lion-now-available-via-mac-app-store/|publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=September 1, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827222840/http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/07/os-x-mountain-lion-now-available-via-mac-app-store/|archive-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref>

=== OS X 10.9 Mavericks ===
[[OS X Mavericks]] was released on October 22, 2013, as a free update through the [[Mac App Store]] worldwide.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2013/06/10Apple-Releases-Developer-Preview-of-OS-X-Mavericks-With-More-Than-200-New-Features/|title=Apple Releases Developer Preview of OS X Mavericks With More Than 200 New Features|publisher=Apple Inc.|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213144553/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2013/06/10Apple-Releases-Developer-Preview-of-OS-X-Mavericks-With-More-Than-200-New-Features/|url-status=live}}</ref>
It placed emphasis on battery life, Finder enhancements, other enhancements for power users, and continued iCloud integration, as well as bringing more of Apple's iOS apps to the OS X platform. [[Apple Books|iBooks]] and [[Apple Maps]] applications were added. Mavericks requires 2 GB of memory to operate. It is the first version named under Apple's then-new theme of places in [[California]], dubbed ''Mavericks'' after the [[Mavericks, California|surfing location]].<ref name="apple.com">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.apple.com/apple-events/june-2013/|title=WWDC 2013 Keynote|publisher=Apple Inc.|date=June 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218160739/http://www.apple.com/apple-events/june-2013/|archive-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/10/os-x-mavericks/|title=Apple Has A New, California-Based Naming Scheme For OS X, Starting With OS X Mavericks|first1=Anthony|last1=Ha|date=Jun 10, 2013|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709214256/https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/10/os-x-mavericks/|archive-date=2017-07-09}}</ref> Unlike previous versions of OS X, which had progressively decreasing prices since 10.6, 10.9 was available at no charge to all users of compatible systems running Snow Leopard (10.6) or later,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/22/4865858/os-x-10-9-mavericks-release-date-price|title=OS X Mavericks now available as a free download|first1=Aaron|last1=Souppouris|publisher=[[The Verge]]|date=October 22, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022172524/http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/22/4865858/os-x-10-9-mavericks-release-date-price|archive-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> beginning Apple's policy of free upgrades for life on its operating system and business software.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-kicks-off-event-expected-173557504.html|title=Apple unveils iPad Air, new Macs for holidays|first1=Poornima|last1=Gupta|first2=Edwin|last2=Chan|date=October 22, 2013|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103109/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-kicks-off-event-expected-173557504.html|archive-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

===OS X 10.10 Yosemite===
[[OS X Yosemite]] was released to the general public on October 16, 2014, as a free update through the [[Mac App Store]] worldwide. It featured a major overhaul of user interface, replaced skeuomorphism with flat graphic design and blurred translucency effects, following the aesthetic introduced with iOS 7. It introduced features called Continuity and Handoff, which allow for tighter integration between paired OS X and iOS devices: the user can handle phone calls or text messages on either their Mac or their iPhone, and edit the same Pages document on either their Mac or their iPad. A later update of the OS included Photos as a replacement for [[iPhoto]] and [[Aperture (software)|Aperture]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

=== OS X 10.11 El Capitan ===
[[OS X El Capitan]] was revealed on June 8, 2015, during the WWDC 2015 keynote speech.<ref>{{cite press release|title = Apple Announces OS X El Capitan with Refined Experience & Improved Performance|url = https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2015/06/08Apple-Announces-OS-X-El-Capitan-with-Refined-Experience-Improved-Performance/|website = www.apple.com|access-date = January 10, 2018|archive-date = October 8, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171008132538/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2015/06/08Apple-Announces-OS-X-El-Capitan-with-Refined-Experience-Improved-Performance/|url-status = live}}</ref> It was made available as a public beta in July and was made available publicly on September 30, 2015. Apple described this release as containing "Refinements to the Mac Experience" and "Improvements to System Performance" rather than new features. Refinements include public transport built into the [[Apple Maps|Maps]] application, GUI improvements to the [[Notes (Apple)|Notes]] application, as well as adopting [[San Francisco (2014 typeface)|San Francisco]] as the system font. [[Metal (API)|Metal API]], an application enhancing software, had debuted in this operating system, being available to "all Macs since 2012".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://devstreaming.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2015/6037pi9rxl6tfss8w/603/603_whats_new_in_metal_part_1.pdf|title = What's New in Metal, Part 1|date = June 2015|access-date = October 21, 2017|website = [[Apple Developer]]|publisher = Apple|last = Dhiraj|first = Rav|page = 84|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150617222000/http://devstreaming.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2015/6037pi9rxl6tfss8w/603/603_whats_new_in_metal_part_1.pdf|archive-date = June 17, 2015}}</ref>

=== macOS 10.12 Sierra ===
[[macOS Sierra]] was announced on June 13, 2016, during the WWDC16 keynote speech. The update brought the [[Siri]] assistant to macOS, featuring several Mac-specific features, like searching for files. It also allowed websites to support [[Apple Pay]] as a method of transferring payment, using either a nearby iOS device or Touch ID to authenticate. iCloud also received several improvements, such as the ability to store a user's Desktop and Documents folders on iCloud so they could be synced with other Macs on the same Apple ID. It was released publicly on September 20, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-sierra/|title=macOS Sierra: Siri, Apple Pay for the Web, and More, Available Now|date=July 19, 2017|website=www.macrumors.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=2021-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111203849/https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-sierra/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== macOS 10.13 High Sierra ===
[[macOS High Sierra]] was announced on June 5, 2017, during the WWDC17 keynote speech. It was released on September 25, 2017. The release includes many under-the-hood improvements, including a switch to [[Apple File System|Apple File System (APFS)]], the introduction of [[Metal (API)|Metal 2]], support for [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC video]], and improvements to [[virtual reality]] support. In addition, numerous changes were made to standard applications including Photos, Safari, Notes, and Spotlight.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.apple.com/macos/high-sierra/|title = macOS High Sierra|access-date = September 26, 2017|publisher = Apple|archive-date = September 11, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191128/https://www.apple.com/macos/high-sierra/|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== macOS 10.14 Mojave ===
[[macOS Mojave]] was announced on June 4, 2018, during the WWDC18 keynote speech. It was released on September 24, 2018. Some of the key new features were Dark wallpaper in dark mode, Desktop stacks and Dynamic Desktop, which changes the desktop background image to correspond to the user's current time of day.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.apple.com/macos/mojave-preview/|title = macOS – Mojave Preview|access-date = June 5, 2018|publisher = Apple|archive-date = March 20, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190320234831/https://www.apple.com/macos/mojave-preview/|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== macOS 10.15 Catalina ===
[[macOS Catalina]] was announced on June 3, 2019, during the WWDC19 keynote speech. It was released on October 7, 2019. It primarily focuses on updates to built-in apps, such as replacing iTunes with separate Music, Podcasts, and TV apps, redesigned Reminders and Books apps, and a new Find My app. It also features Sidecar, which allows the user to use an iPad as a second screen for their computer, or even simulate a graphics tablet with an Apple Pencil. '''It is the first version of macOS not to support 32-bit applications'''. The Dashboard application was also removed in the update.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-10-15/|title=macOS Catalina: Just Announced, Coming This Fall|date=June 27, 2019|website=www.macrumors.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121192528/https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-10-15/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436 |title=How to find 32-bit applications |access-date=2019-10-11 |archive-date=2021-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125015336/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since macOS Catalina, iOS apps can run on macOS with Project Catalyst but requires the app to be made compatible<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/03/ios-apps-will-run-on-macos-with-project-catalyst/|title=iOS apps will run on macOS with Project Catalyst|date=3 June 2019|access-date=12 November 2021|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104015649/https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/03/ios-apps-will-run-on-macos-with-project-catalyst/|url-status=live}}</ref> unlike ARM-powered [[Apple silicon]] Macs that can run all iOS apps by default.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/ios-apps-arm-powered-macs-192046502.html|title=iOS apps will run natively on ARM-powered Macs|date=22 June 2020 |access-date=2021-11-12|archive-date=2020-12-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208172634/https://www.engadget.com/ios-apps-arm-powered-macs-192046502.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== macOS 11 Big Sur ===
[[macOS Big Sur]] was announced on June 22, 2020, during the WWDC20 keynote speech.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-introduces-macos-big-sur-with-a-beautiful-new-design/|title=Apple introduces macOS Big Sur with a beautiful new design|date=June 22, 2020|publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622183825/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-introduces-macos-big-sur-with-a-beautiful-new-design/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released November 12, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haslam|first=Karen|title=macOS Big Sur is here now... and so are the problems|url=https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/macos-big-sur-release-date-3779573/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=Macworld UK|archive-date=2021-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110154549/https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/macos-big-sur-release-date-3779573/|url-status=live}}</ref> The major version number is changed, for the first time since "Mac OS X" was released, making it macOS 11. It brings [[ARM architecture|ARM]] support, new icons, [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] changes to the system,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Apple unveils macOS 11.0 Big Sur, featuring a new aesthetic and redesigned apps|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/22/apple-unveils-macos-10-16-big-sur/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=TechCrunch|date=22 June 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121192519/https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/22/apple-unveils-macos-10-16-big-sur/|url-status=live}}</ref> and other bug fixes.
Since macOS 11.2.3, it is no longer possible to install iOS apps by default from an IPA file instead of the Mac App Store on Apple silicon Macs, which now requires third-party software to unlock the functionality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-run-ios-apps-on-your-m1-mac/|title=How to run iOS apps on your M1 Mac|date=28 January 2021|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=20 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020153425/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-run-ios-apps-on-your-m1-mac/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://korben-info.translate.goog/lancer-application-ios-macos.html?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp|title=How to launch an iOS app on macOS?|work=[[:fr:Korben]]|date=11 August 2021|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=20 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020153426/https://korben-info.translate.goog/lancer-application-ios-macos.html?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp|url-status=live}}</ref> Big Sur introduced [[Rosetta (software)#Rosetta 2|Rosetta 2]] to allow 64-bit Intel applications to run on Apple silicon Macs. However, Intel-based Macs are unable to run ARM-based applications, including iOS and iPadOS apps.

=== macOS 12 Monterey ===
[[macOS Monterey]] was announced on June 7, 2021, during the WWDC21 keynote speech.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=William |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Apple unveils macOS Monterey at WWDC 2021 |work=AppleInsider |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/06/07/apple-unveils-macos-monterey-at-wwdc-2021 |access-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924054046/https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/06/07/apple-unveils-macos-monterey-at-wwdc-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released on October 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fathi |first=Sami |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Apple Releasing macOS Monterey on October 25 |work=MacRumors |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/macos-monterey-on-october-25/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018181627/https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/macos-monterey-on-october-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> macOS Monterey introduces new features such as Universal Control, which allows users to use a single keyboard and mouse to move between devices; AirPlay, which now allows users to present and share almost anything; the Shortcuts app, also introduced to macOS, gives users access to galleries of pre-built shortcuts, designed for Macs, a service brought from iOS, and users can now also set up shortcuts, among other things.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=macOS Monterey: All the New Features Detailed |url=https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-12/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=MacRumors |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612025814/https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-12/ |url-status=live }}</ref> macOS Monterey is the final version of macOS that officially supports macOS Server.

=== macOS 13 Ventura ===
[[macOS Ventura]] was announced on June 6, 2022, during the WWDC22 keynote speech.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mauran |first=Cecily |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Apple WWDC introduces the world to macOS Ventura |work=Mashable |url=https://mashable.com/article/apple-wwdc-2022-macos-ventura |access-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926093331/https://mashable.com/article/apple-wwdc-2022-macos-ventura |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released on October 24, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Espósito |first=Filipe |date=2022-10-24 |title=macOS Ventura now available for Mac users with Camera Continuity and Stage Manager |url=https://9to5mac.com/2022/10/24/macos-ventura-now-available-for-mac/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=[[9to5mac.com]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024171154/https://9to5mac.com/2022/10/24/macos-ventura-now-available-for-mac/ |url-status=live }}</ref> macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new and optional window manager, a redesigned settings app, and Continuity Camera, which is a program that allows Mac users to use their iPhone as a camera, and several other new features.<ref name=":3" /> It is also the first version of macOS without macOS Server support.

=== macOS 14 Sonoma ===
[[macOS Sonoma]] was announced on June 5, 2023, during the WWDC23 keynote speech. Key changes include a revamp of Widgets, the user lock screen, and a video wallpaper/screensaver feature using Apple TV's screen saver videos.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2023 |title=macOS Sonoma brings new capabilities for elevating productivity and creativity |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/macos-sonoma-brings-new-capabilities-for-elevating-productivity-and-creativity/ |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605193122/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/macos-sonoma-brings-new-capabilities-for-elevating-productivity-and-creativity/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released on September 26, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2023 |title=macOS Sonoma is available today |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/09/macos-sonoma-is-available-today/ |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926171232/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/09/macos-sonoma-is-available-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== macOS 15 Sequoia ===
[[macOS Sequoia]] was announced on June 10, 2024, during the WWDC24 keynote speech. This release introduced [[Apple Intelligence]], with a limited initial feature set focused on basic writing and image generation tools complemented by [[ChatGPT]] integration. An iPhone Mirroring app for remotely controlling a user's iPhone was included, along with a password manager app, system support for tiling and resizing windows, and various other minor updates to Safari, Maps, Messages and Notes. It was released on September 16, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/16/apple-releases-macos-sequoia/ |title=Apple Launches macOS Sequoia With iPhone Mirroring, Passwords App, Window Tiling Updates and More |website=[[MacRumors]] |first=Juli |last=Clover |date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>

=== macOS 26 Tahoe ===
[[macOS Tahoe]] was announced on June 9, 2025, during the WWDC25 keynote speech. 

==Timeline of Macintosh operating systems==
{{Timeline of Macintosh operating systems|headerextension==1}}

==See also==
* [[Mac operating systems]]
* [[Architecture of macOS]]
* [[List of built-in macOS apps]]
* [[iOS version history]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.apple.com/macos/}}

{{macOS}}
{{Darwin derivations}}
{{Apple operating systems}}
{{Apple Inc.}}

[[Category:History of software|MacOS]]