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Wondering which versions of macOS or Mac OS X your Mac can run? We’ve put together a macOS compatibility checker that will show you what Macs the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X support so you can tell what version you should be running on your Mac.
Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system almost every year—but the new version of the Mac operating system will not support every Mac. Each year more and more Macs fall off the compatibility list and are unable to be updated to take advantage of the latest features.
With macOS Sonoma announced and currently in beta and likely to arrive on Macs in October, it’s likely that many Mac users will be wondering if their Mac will be able to support it or the current version of macOS, Ventura. Read on to find out which Macs are supported by each version of the Mac operating system. For advice about installing Ventura read: How to install Ventura on your Mac. To learn how to install the Sonoma beta read: How to install the macOS beta.
Officially, the operating system that was available on your Mac at the time that you bought it is the oldest version of macOS that can run on that Mac. It’s likely that an older OS won’t include the necessary drivers for the hardware on your newer Mac. For this reason, it is unlikely that you will be able to install an older version of macOS on a new Mac—but you can take a look at how to install old versions of macOS or OS X for other Macs. Owners of Macs with M1 or M2 chips won’t be able to run older versions of macOS that weren’t designed for M1 Macs.
But it may not just be a case of wanting to know if your Mac can run the newest operating system. Some people will want to know if it is possible to downgrade their Mac to an older version of macOS and need to know the oldest version of macOS. You’ll also find that below. You can also see a complete list of all the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X. Not sure which Mac you own? Check our article about how to identify your Mac.
Apple
Note: In each case the year referenced below is the year that Mac was introduced – you could for example have bought a 2016 MacBook in early 2017, but it’s still the 2016 MacBook. This is important to keep in mind if you are looking to run an older version of macOS on a Mac. Macs are generally incompatible with versions of macOS that are older than the one it shipped with.
Apple has announced the new features coming in macOS Sonoma later this year, but right now the software is in beta. If you want to run the beta, and if you eventually want to install the operating system update you will only be able to do so on one of these Macs:
For more information read: Can my Mac run Sonoma?
Apple released macOS 13 Ventura to the public on October 24, 2022. The most current version 13.3.1 at the time of writing, read our guide to every version of macOS released to find out about the latest version. To run Ventura you will need one of these Macs:
For more information read: Can my Mac run Ventura?
macOS Monterey was made available to download on October 15, 2021, and the most recent version is macOS 12.6.5. The following Macs are compatible with macOS Monterey:
macOS 11 Big Sur was the version of macOS that arrived on November 12, 2020, and the latest version is macOS 11.7.6. Here’s a list of the Macs that can run macOS Big Sur:
Catalina arrived in October 2019, and the latest version is macOS 10.15.7 with Security Update 2022-05 and can run on the following Macs:
Note that the M1-series Macs will not be able to run Catalina or earlier.
Mojave arrived in September 2018 (latest version 10.14.6) and can run on the following Macs:
High Sierra arrived in September 2017 (latest version 10.13.6) and can run on the following Macs:
Sierra arrived in September 2016 (latest version 10.12.6) and can run on the following Macs:
El Capitan arrived in September 2015 (latest version 10.11.6) and can run on the following Macs:
Yosemite arrived in October 2014 (latest version 10.10.5) and can run on the following Macs:
Mavericks arrived in October 2013 (latest version 10.9.5) and can run on the following Macs:
Mountain Lion, the last of the “big cat” versions of the Mac operating system launched in July 2012 (latest version 10.8.5) and can run on the following Macs:
Wondering how long Apple will support your Mac for? Read: How long do Macs last?
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld almost two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld almost two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.
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