momacOS is the working system designed to run on Apple laptops and desktop computer systems. As Apple grew and strengthened the ecosystem via 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 most recent macOS Monterey introduced at WWDC 2021 on June 7.
Is there any distinction between Mac OS X and macOS?
No, they’re basically the identical factor — simply named in another way. Actually, three phrases had been used at totally different instances with regards to Apple’s working system: Mac OS X, OS X, and macOS. Mac OS X was the official naming via 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 techniques — macOS, iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and so on.
Listing of macOS variations
Temporary 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 might compete with Home windows. That’s when it turned 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.
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 help, granting an all-new visible expertise. Cheetah featured a water theme, which, in accordance with Steve Jobs, “one wished to lick once they noticed it.” Magnificence comes at a price, although. Graphics enhancements made Cheetah very gradual, 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 techniques was named after animals. Puma arrived with a strong efficiency increase and some different practical enhancements akin to simplified CD and DVD burning, new options in Finder, and extra intensive printer help.
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 help for QuickTime, a spread of privateness options, and, for the primary time, Accessibility API referred to as Common Entry. Among the apps born with this launch proceed dwelling on Mac even right this moment (for instance, Deal with E book, which is now referred to as Contacts).
supply: VTII Expertise
4. Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)
October 24, 2003: Meet Safari! The primary official internet browser made by Apple replaces Web Explorer on Mac. Actually, Safari was obtainable on Jaguar nevertheless it’s the primary launch the place it turns into a default browser. Aside from that, Panther provides 150+ new options, together with Font E book, 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? Effectively, guess what, it was born in 2005, with the discharge of Apple’s fifth working system! Tiger was a reasonably 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 crucial Mac-changing techniques. This time, Mac’s desktop modifications considerably, with Dock, a brand new menu bar, and Stacks. Time Machine, Highlight enhancements, and help for 64-bit apps arrive too. Actually, 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, centered on increasing 64-bit structure. Many of the native functions 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 right this moment, turned 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 numerous 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 while 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 snug spot for managing your day by day routine. Probably the most important replace in Mountain Lion is Notification Heart, 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 centered 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 Heart 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 shade schemes to the large 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, as a consequence of a serious efficiency increase. For instance, it permits opening apps 40% sooner than outdated techniques. Additionally, that is the 12 months when Cut 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, akin 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 unlock disk house. And, hey Siri!
supply: TechRadar
14. macOS 10.13 (Excessive Sierra)
September 25, 2017: macOS Excessive Sierra provides a brand new video commonplace referred to 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 just a few enhancements in Safari, Mail, and Picture — 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 via their day-and-night routine, with the colours of the display screen shifting with them, due to Dynamic Desktop function. There are an increasing number of apps that arrive from iOS, together with Shares, Information, and House.
supply: apple.com
16. macOS 10.15 (Catalina)
October 7, 2019: macOS Catalina marks the demise 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 screen to your Mac, and the flexibility for builders to port iOS apps to macOS.
supply: Cell Evaluation
17. macOS 11 (Massive Sur)
November 19, 2020: There’s no macOS 10.16, as a result of Massive Sur deserves a extra epic model identify — 11.0. Bringing an enormous design change and transition to Apple’s M1 Macs, macOS Massive Sur is the one to recollect. That is the primary working system that permits 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 flexibility to arrange fast actions with totally different apps to automate your movement. Other than that, there’s Common Management, a pure transitioning throughout your Mac and iOS units (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 examine our articles about improve to macOS Monterey and repair Monterey macOS issues.
19. macOS 13 (Ventura)
Fall 2022: macOS Ventura arrives with a serious interface change, the function referred to as Stage Supervisor. Whereas it’s opt-in, many customers will make Stage Supervisor a default as a result of it’s a good way to transition between duties and workspaces. Basically, Stage Supervisor mechanically organizes energetic home windows into stacks, positioned on the left aspect of the display screen. Different Ventura goodies? Continuity Digital camera, Undo Ship in Mail, and extra. In the event you’re simply getting began with this macOS model, make certain to maintain the record of frequent Ventura issues at hand.
supply: apple.com
What’s the most recent macOS?
New working techniques for Mac not solely deliver new options, they convey higher efficiency, enhanced privateness, and higher workflow for these working throughout units. In the event you’re questioning whether or not to improve to the most recent macOS, we’d say sure, it’s price it.
Easy methods to examine the most recent 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 examine 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 examine for pending macOS updates, select Software program Replace.
Whereas Apple revamped System Preferences on macOS Ventura, the movement of checking your present macOS model is barely totally different. It’s best to go on to System Preferences — now referred to as System Settings — and discover the Software program Replace tab in there.
Tip: In the event you don’t wish to improve, however you are feeling like “you must” as a result of your Mac is slowing down or appearing bizarre, don’t rush into it. Verify what’s fallacious with iStat Menus app, a real-time system monitor that may establish any pitfalls in your system. Perhaps some apps are placing stress in your Mac otherwise you’re low on storage. On this case, macOS replace gained’t assist.
Easy methods to replace to the most recent model of macOS
Older Mac OS X releases or latest macOS, the method of updating working techniques follows the identical logic:
- First, you backup your information to make it obtainable on the brand new macOS
- Second, you be sure to have sufficient house on Mac to put in new macOS
- Third, you obtain and set up the brand new replace.
Step one is important. With out securely backing up your disk, you may lose entry to the pictures, docs, and no matter important stuff saved on Mac. We suggest Get Backup Professional or ChronoSync Categorical to run a backup. The previous can again up chosen recordsdata and the latter does an incredible job backing up folders. So that you don’t should again up the entire disk, with all of the muddle 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 undertaking
- Select a vacation spot to your backup
- Click on File+ so as to add recordsdata for backup
- Press Begin.
Again up folders with ChronoSync Categorical:
- Select “Create a brand new synchronization activity” on the proper
- Title the undertaking
- 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 muddle, system recordsdata, unused apps and app caches, and so on. This fashion, you’ll unlock numerous storage and get your Mac prepared for a brand new macOS set up. We suggest 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 macOS 13 Ventura or another macOS model you wish to strive. For detailed directions on replace macOS, learn this text.
