macOS compatibility: What macOS versions can my Mac run?

Questioning which variations of macOS your Mac can run? We’ve put collectively a macOS compatibility checker that may present you what Macs the totally different variations of macOS and Mac OS X assist, so you may inform what model try to be operating in your Mac.

What Mac working programs can my Mac run?

Apple releases a brand new model of the Mac working system nearly yearly—however the brand new model of the Mac working system is not going to assist each Mac. Every year increasingly Macs fall off the compatibility checklist and are unable to be up to date to benefit from the newest options.

With macOS Sonoma arriving on Macs on September 26, it’s seemingly that many Mac customers can be questioning if their Mac will be capable of assist macOS 14 Sonoma. Learn on to seek out out which Macs are supported by every model of the Mac working system. For recommendation about putting in Sonoma learn: Methods to set up macOS Sonoma in your Mac. To discover ways to set up the Sonoma beta learn: Methods to set up the macOS beta.

Formally, the working system that was out there in your Mac on the time that you just purchased it’s the oldest model of macOS that may run on that Mac. It’s seemingly that an older OS gained’t embody the mandatory drivers for the {hardware} in your newer Mac. Because of this, it’s unlikely that it is possible for you to to put in an older model of macOS on a brand new Mac—however you may check out easy methods to set up previous variations of macOS or OS X for different Macs. Homeowners of Macs with M1 or M2 chips gained’t be capable of run older variations of macOS that weren’t designed for M1 Macs.

However it might not simply be a case of eager to know in case your Mac can run the most recent working system. Some folks will need to know whether it is potential to downgrade their Mac to an older model of macOS and have to know the oldest model of macOS. You’ll additionally discover that beneath. You can too see an entire checklist of all of the totally different variations of macOS and Mac OS X. Unsure which Mac you personal? Test our article about easy methods to determine your Mac.

Notice: In every case, the yr referenced beneath is the yr that Mac was launched–you would for instance have purchased a 2016 MacBook in early 2017, however it’s nonetheless the 2016 MacBook. That is necessary to bear in mind if you’re trying to run an older model of macOS on a Mac. Macs are usually incompatible with variations of macOS which can be older than the one it shipped with.

macOS Sonoma compatibility

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macOS Sonoma can be out there to put in on suitable Macs on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. If you wish to set up the working system replace you’ll solely find a way to take action on one among these Macs:

iMac from 2019 and later
Mac Professional from 2019 and later
iMac Professional from 2017
Mac Studio from 2022 and later
MacBook Air from 2018 and later
Mac mini from 2018 and later
MacBook Professional from 2018 and later

For extra data learn: Can my Mac run Sonoma?

macOS Ventura compatibility

Apple

Apple launched macOS 13 Ventura to the general public on October 24, 2022. The newest model is 13.6 which arrived in September, 2023. Learn our information to each model of macOS launched to seek out out concerning the newest model. To run Ventura you’ll need one among these Macs:

MacBook fashions from 2017 or later
MacBook Air fashions from 2018 or later
MacBook Professional fashions from 2017 or later
Mac mini fashions from 2018 or later
iMac fashions from 2017 or later
iMac Professional (all fashions)
Mac Professional fashions from 2019 or later
Mac Studio (all fashions)

For extra data learn: Can my Mac run Ventura?

macOS Monterey compatibility

Apple

macOS Monterey was made out there to obtain on October 15, 2021. The newest model is 12.7 which arrived in September, 2023. The next Macs are suitable with macOS Monterey:

MacBook fashions from early 2016 or later
MacBook Air fashions from early 2015 or later
MacBook Professional fashions from early 2015 or later
Mac mini fashions from 2014 or later
iMac from 2015 or later
iMac Professional (2017 and later)
Mac Professional fashions from late 2013 and later
Mac Studio

macOS Massive Sur compatibility

Apple

macOS 11 Massive Sur was the model of macOS that arrived on November 12, 2020. The newest model is 11.7.10 which arrived in September, 2023. Right here’s a listing of the Macs that may run macOS Massive Sur:

MacBook fashions from early 2015 or later
MacBook Air fashions from 2013 or later
MacBook Professional fashions from 2013 or later
Mac mini fashions from 2014 or later
iMac from 2014 or later
iMac Professional (all fashions)
Mac Professional fashions from 2013 and 2019

macOS Catalina compatibility

Catalina arrived in October 2019, and the newest model is macOS 10.15.7 with Safety Replace 2022-05 (which arrived in July 2022) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (2015 to 2017)
MacBook Air (Mid-2012 to 2019)
MacBook Professional (Mid-2012 to 2019)
Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018)
iMac (Late 2012 to 2019)
iMac Professional (all fashions)
Mac Professional fashions from 2013

Notice that the M-series Macs won’t be able to run Catalina or earlier.

M1 MacBook Air — An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac can’t be downgraded past Massive Sur.

macOS Mojave compatibility

Mojave arrived in September 2018 (newest model 10.14.6) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2017, as a result of it’s the identical as 2015 mannequin)
MacBook Professional (Mid 2012 to 2018)
Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018)
iMac (Late 2012 to mid-2017)
iMac Professional (all fashions)
Mac Professional (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 fashions with really helpful Metallic-capable GPU)

macOS Excessive Sierra compatibility

Excessive Sierra arrived in September 2017 (newest model 10.13.6) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is similar as 2015 mannequin)
MacBook Professional (Mid 2010 to 2017)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014)
iMac (Late 2009 to mid-2017)
Mac Professional (Mid 2010 and 2013)

macOS Sierra compatibility

Sierra arrived in September 2016 (newest model 10.12.6) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is similar as 2015 mannequin)
MacBook Professional (Mid 2010 to 2015)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014)
iMac (Late 2009 to 2015)
Mac Professional (Mid 2010 and 2013)

macOS El Capitan compatibility

El Capitan arrived in September 2015 (newest model 10.11.6) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017)
MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 to early 2015)
MacBook Professional (Mid/Late 2007 to early 2015)
Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2014)
iMac (Mid 2007 to mid-2015)
Mac Professional (2008, 2010, 2013)

macOS Yosemite compatibility

Yosemite arrived in October 2014 (newest model 10.10.5) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013)
MacBook Professional (13″ Mid-2009 to mid 2014)
MacBook Professional (15″ Mid/Late 2007 to mid 2014)
MacBook Professional (17″ Late 2007 to 2011)
Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012)
iMac (Mid-2007 to mid-2014)
Mac Professional (2008 and 2010)

macOS Mavericks compatibility

Mavericks arrived in October 2013 (newest model 10.9.5) and may run on the next Macs:

MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013)
MacBook Professional (Mid 2007 to early 2013)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012)
iMac (Mid 2007 to early 2013)
Mac Professional (Early 2008 and 2010)

Mac OS X Mountain Lion compatibility

Mountain Lion, the final of the “massive cat” variations of the Mac working system launched in July 2012 (newest model 10.8.5) and may run on the next Macs: