Wondering what the name of the latest macOS version is? Want to know what the next version of MacOS is called? Are you curious about the versions of Mac OS X that came before? Here we fill you in the names of the different versions of the MAC operating system in order: From the latest macOS to the first version of Mac OS X and code names that Apple used for them. We also show you how to check which version of macos you are driving and find out what the latest version of macOS is.
What are the latest macos?
The latest version of MacOS is called MacOS Sequoia after Sequoia National Park located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain chain. This version of MacOS launched to the public in September 2024 following a macOS -beta program that is still underway as Apple is developing several new features.
The latest version of Sequoia is MacOS 15.5, which arrived on May 12, 2025. It includes a screen time update, some changes in mail and security fixes.
There is a new version of MacOS – MacOS 16 – on the way. We know more after WWDC on June 9, 2025.
If you are looking for help installing macOS reading: How to update macOS and corrections to Mac files that are not updated. We can also help with how to install macos on a non -supported Mac.
What is macos?
MACOs are the Mac operating system, just as iOS is the iPhone operating system and iPados is the iPad operating system. It is the software that runs in the background gives the user interface and delivers the connection between hardware and software.
All Macs run MacOS, formerly known as Mac OS X, and have been doing so since the introduction of the first version of Mac OS X in 2001. Before it ran Macs Mac OS 9, which came out in October 1999 and received updates until December 2001. Mac OS X was based on technology from the next computer, which was another company founded by Steve Jobs. Jobs brought the technology back to Apple when he was reintroduced as Apple CEO. The operating system is unix-based.
Mac OS X was launched more than two decades since March 24, 2001. There has been a lot of change during these two decades: good and bad. From the problems with the first edition (it was slow and did not run important apps like Microsoft Word) Mac OS X has evolved through different iterations and different designs for what we know today. We have seen tight integration with iOS devices, the incorporation of the cloud and the arrival of excellent and useful features, including Integrated Time Machine Backups, Quick Look – which allows you to see a preview of a document without opening the application, and innovations such as expose and spaces and desktop stacks to help you work more effectively.
For an overview of the features of the different versions of the Mac operating system that shows how it has evolved over time, look at our video above. To know the names, Apple assigned to Mac OS X over the years, and code names used internally, read on.
MacOS -versions in order
Here is an overview of any version of MacOS and Mac OS X Apple has released. You will find a complete list of the latest release of each version of OS X and MacOS along Version Cod names along with internal code names (if available):
- OS X 10 Beta: Kodiak – September 13, 2000
- OS X 10.0: Cheetah – 14 March 2001 (LAST: 10.0.4)
- OS X 10.1: PUMA – 15. September 2001 (LAST: 10.1.5)
- OS X 10.2: Jaguar – August 14, 2002 (LAST: 10.2.8)
- OS X 10.3 PANTHER (PINOT) – October 24, 2003 (LAST: 10.3.9)
- OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) – April 29, 2005 (LAST: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay) – January 10, 2006 (for Intel Macs) (LAST: 10.4.11)
- OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) – October 26, 2007 (LAST: 10.5.8)
- OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – August 28, 2009 (LAST: 10.6.8)
- OS X 10.7 Lion (Barolo) – July 20, 2011 (LAST: 10.7.5)
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfandel) – July 25, 2012 (LAST: 10.8.5)
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) – October 22, 2013 (LAST: 10.9.5)
- OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Syrah) – October 16, 2014 (LAST: 10.10.5)
- OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) – September 30, 2015 (LAST: 10.11.6)
- MacOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) – September 20, 2016 (LAST: 10.12.6)
- MacOS 10.13: High Sierra (Lobo) – September 25, 2017 (LAST: 10.13.6)
- MacOS 10.14: Mojave (Liberty) – September 24, 2018 (LAST: 10.14.6, July 2021)
- MacOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) – October 7, 2019 (LAST: 10.15.7, Security Update 2022-005, July 2022)
- MacOS 11: Big Sur (Goldengate) – November 12, 2020 (LAST: 11.7.10, September 11, 2023)
- MacOS 12: Monterey (Star) – October 25, 2021 (LAST: 12.7.6, July 29, 2024?
- MacOS 13: Ventura (Rome) – October 24, 2022 (LAST: 13.7.6, 12 May 2025)
- MacOS 14: Sonoma (Sunburst) – September 26, 2023 (LAST: 14.7.6, 12 May 2025)
- MacOS 15: Sequoia (Glow) – September 18, 2024 (LAST: 15.5, 12 May 2025)
- MacOS 16: Name TBC (Cheer) – Launch Date TBC
We have a complete list of which macs are running, which versions of macOS here.
You can install a beta version of macOS and test new features that have not yet been launched. If you want to install the latest beta of macOS, read about joining Apple’s beta program.
Apple is already working on MacOS 16, which is the codename Jubel, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in his newsletter on June 30, 2024.
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Mac OS X and MacOS names
As you can see from the list above, with the exception of the first OS X Beta, all versions of the Mac operating system from 2001 to 2012 were named after big cats, from Cheetah to Panther to the final release, Mountain Lion. But while the publicly known buildings were named after large cats, they were internally named after wine (except for OS X 10.6, which had no code name).
Even after Apple switched public codnings to places in California back in 2013, it continued to name them after wine internally until 2014. In 2015, Apple decided to change the theme of internal code names from wine to types of apples. Original.
In 2016, Apple took the plunge to combine branding of its operating systems by Ommarkke Mac OS X to MacOS, sitting nicely with iOS, Tvos and Watchos and paving the way for MacOS 11, the sequel to Mac OS X, who arrived twenty years after the first beta of Mac OS X.
Which versions of macOS is still updated?
Apple still provides regular features and security updates for the latest version of MacOS. Right now this is Sequoia, also known as MacOS 15.
The two previous versions of macOS also receive security updates and bug fixes. If you are running MacOS 14 Sonoma or MacOS 13 Ventura You are still getting security updates.
Since the arrival of Sequoia, Apple no longer supports MacO’s 12 Monterey, arriving in 2021 (and with the arrival of Sonoma in 2023 it stopped support for MacO’s Big Sur, arriving in 2020). See: How long does Macs and MacBooks last?
Apple also issues updates to its safari web browser. The latest version of Safari for Mac is Safari 18 (from September 2024) and it requires Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia.
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How to tell you what makos version you are driving
You can tell which version of MacOS you are running by clicking on the Apple logo in the upper left and selecting about this Mac. It will clearly show which version of MacOS you are running along with the latest version that your Mac has installed
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To install the latest version of MacOS
To update your Mac to a newer version of MacOS, the method of the version of macOS you are running is determined.
Very old versions of Mac OS X came on a disk and any security updates came 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 to download via the Mac App Store.
However, it changed with Mojave arriving in 2018. Now operating system updates are coming via software updates, either located in System Settings> General> Software Update or in System Preferences> Software Update (Pre-Ventura). One of the advantages of this is that your Mac can be set to automatically download the latest updates and install them, keep your Mac up to date with minimum effort on your part. Incidentally, you can still find the macOS software in the Mac App Store.
Some Macs will be set to update MacOs automatically. If you want your Mac to update automatically follow these steps:
In Ventura or later:
- Open System Settings.
- Click General.
- Click Software update.
- Click “I” next to automatic updates and make sure Check for updatesAt Download new updates when they are availableand Install macOS updates is selected. In this way, your Mac is automatically updated to the latest version. If you prefer not to get your Mac to do this automatically, you can opt out of these settings.
In Monterey, Big Sur, Mojave or Catalina:
- Open system preferences.
- Click Software update.
- Check the check box next to Keep my Mac automatically updated (or Download new updates when they are available).
- Now select the box Install macOS updates.
In high sierra or earlier:
- Open system preferences.
- Click App Store.
- Check the check box next to Automatically check for updates – It must have a cross in it, just like the four options below …
- Now waive the box next to Download newly available updates in the background.
Read all about how to update your Mac here.
We also have a list of each version of iOS where you can see the latest versions and how long Apple supports iPhones for.