Wondering what the name of the latest version of macOS is? Want to know what the next version of macOS will be? Curious about previous Mac OS X versions? Here we will tell you about the names of the different versions of Mac operating system in order: from the latest macOS to the first version of Mac OS X and the code names Apple used for them. We’ll also show you how you can check the version of macOS you’re using and find out what the latest version of macOS is.
If you’re wondering what the latest version of macOS is, it’s Ventura, also known as macOS 13. Ventura arrived on Monday, October 25, 2022 and is currently on version 13.4, which arrived on May 18, 2023. For more information, read our complete guide to macOS Ventura.
Ventura will eventually be replaced in fall 2023 by macOS Sonoma, aka macOS 14. You can install a beta version of Sonoma now, but we suggest waiting until the final version is available for download in the fall (usually September or October period).
If you’re looking for help installing Ventura, read: How to Update macOS and Fixes for Macs That Won’t Update. If you want to install macOS beta, read how to join Apple’s beta program.
macOS version history
Mac OS X was released over two decades ago on March 24, 2001. There have been many changes in those two decades: good and bad. Since the problems with the first edition (it was slow and didn’t run important applications like Microsoft Word), Mac OS X has evolved through various iterations and designs to what we know today. We’ve seen tight integration with iOS devices, the incorporation of the cloud, and the arrival of some great and useful features including built-in Time Machine backups, Quick Look – which lets you preview a document without opening the app, and innovations like Expose and Spaces and Desktop Stacks to help you work more efficiently.
For an overview of the features of different versions of the Mac operating system, showing how it has evolved over time, watch our video above. If you want to know the names given by Apple to Mac OS X over the years and the codenames used internally, read on.
List of macOS version names and latest versions
Here’s an overview of every version of macOS and Mac OS X released by Apple. You’ll find a complete list of the latest version of each version of OS X and macOS, along with the version codenames, as well as internal codenames (if available):
- OS X 10 Beta: Kodiak – September 13, 2000
- OS X 10.0: Cheetah – March 14, 2001 (Latest: 10.0.4)
- OS X 10.1: Puma – September 15, 2001 (Latest: 10.1.5)
- OS X 10.2: Jaguar – August 14, 2002 (Latest: 10.2.8)
- OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot) – October 24, 2003 (Latest: 10.3.9)
- OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) – April 29, 2005 (Latest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay) – January 10, 2006 (for Intel Macs) (Latest: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) – October 26, 2007 (Latest: 10.5.8)
- OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – August 28, 2009 (Latest: 10.6.8)
- OS X 10.7 Lion (Barolo) – July 20, 2011 (Latest: 10.7.5)
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfandel) – July 25, 2012 (Latest: 10.8.5)
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) – October 22, 2013 (Latest: 10.9.5)
- OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Syrah) – October 16, 2014 (Latest: 10.10.5)
- OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) – September 30, 2015 (Latest: 10.11.6)
- macOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) – September 20, 2016 (Latest: 10.12.6)
- macOS 10.13: High Sierra (Lobo) – September 25, 2017 (Latest: 10.13.6)
- macOS 10.14: Mojave (Freedom) – September 24, 2018 (Latest: 10.14.6)
- macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (Latest: 10.15.7, Security Update 2022-005)
- macOS 11: Big Sur (GoldenGate) – November 12, 2020 (Latest: 11.7.6)
- macOS 12: Monterey (star) – October 25, 2021 (Latest: 12.6.5)
- macOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (Latest: 13.4)
- macOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – Beta, full release scheduled for October 2023
We have a full list of Macs that run which versions of Mac OS X and macOS here.
Foundry
Mac OS X and macOS names
As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first beta of OS X, all versions of the Mac operating system from 2001 to 2012 were all named after big cats, from Cheetah to Panther through to the final version, Mountain Lion.
But while the public releases were named after big cats, internally they were named after wines (apart from OS X 10.6 which had no codename).
Even after Apple moved public codenames to locations in California in 2013, it continued to name them after wines internally until 2014. In 2015, Apple decided to change the theme of the names from internal wine codes to apple types. Original.
In 2016, Apple took the step to unify the branding of its operating systems by renaming Mac OS X to macOS, which seamlessly integrated alongside iOS, tvOS and watchOS and paved the way for macOS. 11, the successor to Mac OS X, which arrived twenty years after the first beta of Mac OS X.
Which versions of macOS are always updated?
Apple is still providing regular security features and updates to the most recent version of macOS, Ventura, also known as macOS 13.
The previous two versions of macOS also receive security updates and bug fixes. If you are using macOS 12 Monterey and macOS 11 Big Sur you should install regular security updates. The latest versions of these two Mac operating systems are listed above.
Since the arrival of Ventura, Apple no longer supports macOS Catalina, which arrived in 2019. When Apple makes the full version of Sonoma available later in 2023, support for Big Sur is also expected to end. See: How long do Macs and MacBooks last?
Apple is also releasing updates to its Safari web browser. The latest version of Safari for Mac is 16.4.1 (as of April 2023) and requires Big Sur, Monterey, or Ventura.
Foundry
How to know which version of macOS you are using
You can find out which version of macOS you’re using by clicking the Apple logo in the top left and choosing About This Mac. It will clearly show which version of macOS you are using along with the most recent version your Mac has installed
Foundry
How to install the latest version of macOS
If you want to update your Mac to a newer version of macOS, the method will be determined by the version of macOS you are using.
Very old versions of Mac OS X are provided on a disc and all security updates are provided via Software Update. Since the arrival of the Mac App Store in 2011 (as an update to Snow Leopard), versions of Mac OS X and macOS have been available for download through the Mac App Store.
However, that changed slightly with Mojave, which arrived in 2018. Now, OS updates arrive through a new Software Updates pane in System Preferences. You can still find the software in the Mac App Store, but you’ll also see it in System Preferences > Software Update. One of the benefits of this is that your Mac can be set to automatically download the latest updates and install them, keeping your Mac up to date with minimal effort on your part.
You can access System Preferences from the Apple menu: Click the Apple logo in the top left and choose System Preferences. You may be taken directly to the software update pane, otherwise click the software update cog icon. Your Mac will check for an update and if there is one, you can choose Update Now.
Some Macs will be set to update macOS automatically. If you want your Mac to update automatically, follow these steps:
In the future:
- Open System Settings.
- Click General.
- Click Software Update.
- Click the i next to Automatic Updates and make sure Check for updates, Download new updates when available, and Install macOS updates are selected. This way, your Mac will automatically update to the latest version. If you’d rather your Mac not do this automatically, you can deselect these options.
In Monterey, Big Sur, Mojave or Catalina:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click Software Update.
- Check the box next to Automatically keep my Mac updated (or Download new updates when available).
- Now check the Install macOS updates box.
In High Sierra or earlier:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on App store.
- Check the box next to Automatically check for updates – it should be checked, as should the four options below…
- Now uncheck the box next to Download new updates available in the background.
Read all about how to update your Mac here.
We also have a list of each iOS version where you can see the latest versions and how long Apple has been supporting iPhones.
Table of Contents
