Apple Mac versions (plus Installers and Wallpapers)
PROTIP: Provide this about your computer whenever you talk about your situation to StackOverflow or other technical support form.
The x.x.x pattern in ProductName is called Semantic Versioning.
The “10” (in 10.12.5) is associated with “Darwin”, an open-source Unix operating system released by Apple Inc. in 2000. It is composed of code developed by Apple as well as code derived from NeXTSTEP, BSD, Mach, and other free software projects. –Wikipedia.
For just the productVersion:
This is a different command than used in Linux lsb_release command.
The -a requests all parameters, for a response such as:
- Darwin is the kernel name (-k).
- macs-MacBook-Pro-4.local is the node name (-n), where the characters before the first dash is your user name.
- 16.6.0 is the Linux kernel-release (-r).
- x86_64 is the machine name (-m).
- i386 is the processor name (-p).
- Not applicable on Macs (Linux only) are the hardware platform (-i) and operating system (-o) flag.
NOTE: The architecture of i386 is also output by this Linux command:
To locate that full path to the OS Platforms SDK:
Upgrades
The App Store app nags you every day to upgrade.
PROTIP: Do a full backup before upgrading.
To find out more about why a macOS Sierra installation failed, view the log:
Each user starts with a login keychain saved at
and a Local Items/iCloud keychain saved in folder:
Administrative users can manage macOS authentication assets with the /Library/Keychain/System.keychain.
Apple maintains several items for macOS use in:
Create a bootable installer for macOS
Beta installers should be placed in a bootable USB drive.
To manually download the complete installer:
Go to the installer page for your current MacOS version at, for example:
In Finder, press shift+command+A or click the Go menu to select Applications.
NOTE:
The file “Install macOS Sierra.app” for 10.12.5 is 4.97 GB.
The “Install macOS High Sierra.app” is .
Notice there are spaces within the file name of the download
“Install macOS Sierra.app”. This means back slash (\) escape characters are needed to “escape” spaces in typed commands referencing the file. Example:
PROTIP: The forward slash is used as an escape character before each space character.
Run the installer:
PROTIP: Use the GUI utility described below instead of the createinstallmedia command described in Apple’s https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
Boot USB stick
If you have any other data on that flash drive, back it up, because the installer will delete everything on it.
Optionally, a secondary internal partition can be used if it has at least 12 GB of available disk space for installation files.
Open the Terminal app (in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder).
PROTIP: Drag Terminal.app to drop it at the bottom edge of the screen so it’s available anytime.
Install Disk Create GUI
Download InstallDiskCreate.zip from:
It is from the talented @BenedictSlaney in New Zealand.
Within the Applications folder, double-click to invoke “Install Disk Creator”.
Create Installer Disk
Remove the installer media and label it.
Use installer disk
Insert the USB drive into the Mac being installed.
CAUTION: Again, this wipes out the hard disk on the Mac.
Update downloads
Download combined updates which include all components from prior point releases, even if they are not installed on the target Mac, from:
https://support.apple.com/downloads/combo
Desktop Wallpaper Pictures
The default desktop image on High Sierra is of Maroon Bells, Colorado. It’s one of the most photographed destinations in America, located just outside Aspen in the Rocky Mountains.
Wallpaper images that come with OS X are of Retina resolution: 5120×2880. Really big.
Get to the Desktop quickly by spreading thumb and 4 fingers on the touchpad.
To choose a different picture from Preferences:
desktops/screensaver select your desktop (highlight) press Command and C at he same time. BTW, notice where your picture/photo folders.
Want to add the Windows 10 wallpaper to your desktop?
- Get to folder where system wallpapers are held from the Finder > Go |> Go to Folder > /Library/Desktop Pictures.
- Sort by File Size.
Use Touchbar to auth Terminal
Within Terminal app:
Add the following line to the top:
Versioned Professional Certifications
Apple Certified Support Professional certifications are for specific versions:
https://training.apple.com/en/osx.html
The two-hour exams are $65 each at Apple Certification Records System (ACRS) at https://training.apple.com/acrs (Pearson Vue).
To become a certified Apple Certified Mac Technician (ACMT) 2017, first pass the Mac Service Certification Exam (MAC-17A), then the Apple Service Fundamentals Exam (SVC-17A). For MAC-17A, correctly answer 80% of 70 questions in 2 hours. But you can refer to Apple references and courses in ATLAS.
Apple Certified Mac Technician 2017 is a four-day $2,800 course that enables participants to pass the Apple Service Fundamentals exam (SVC-17A) and become certified to troubleshoot and repair Mac computers.
What is the latest macOS you can install?
Having spent some years coding applications for macOS, we’ve created a tool that everybody can use. The all-round problem fixer for Mac.
So here’s a tip for you: Download CleanMyMac to quickly solve some of the issues mentioned in this article. But to help you do it all by yourself, we’ve gathered our best ideas and solutions below.
Features described in this article refer to the MacPaw site version of CleanMyMac X.
The latest macOS version is macOS Ventura. It was released in October 2022 and is available for everyone to download. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Mac operating system.
Will my Mac run macOS Ventura?
According to Apple, macOS Ventura drops support for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from 2012 and 2017. All Macs with Nvidia GPUs also can’t run macOS Ventura. But, macOS 13 is perfectly fit for MacBook 2017 and newer, MacBook Air 2018 and newer, and Mac mini 2018 and 2020 (M1). All late iMacs newer than 2017, MacBook Pros released after 2017, iMac Pros and iMacs newer than 2017 are also compatible with the latest macOS.
Storage Space: 12 GB of free space
Memory: 2-4 GB RAM
Time: 30-50 minutes installation time
The space issue is the most crucial, though. The 12 GB of storage is a formal requirement, but in reality, you’ll need twice as much to prepare the backup. No worries, if you scan your Mac with CleanMyMac X, you can free up tens of gigabytes of space by removing junk files and uninstalling applications. Download CleanMyMac X for free and get your Mac cleaned and ready for macOS Ventura.
How to check your macOS version
To see which version of macOS you have on your Mac, follow the steps:
- Click the Apple menu icon at the top left corner of your screen.
- Choose About this Mac.
- Check the version in the Overview tab.
How to update your Mac to the latest version
You can download the latest version of the macOS from the App Store. The process is not difficult but requires some preparation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to upgrade to macOS Ventura.
We’ve prepared a quick tour of the new Apple macOS — check it out.
What are the new features in macOS Ventura?
Stage Manager
Stage Manager is a way to arrange and manage apps. It is the newest feature that comes with macOS Ventura. When switched on, it puts the window that is currently open in the center, while other apps that are open are placed on the left side of the screen. It is a convenient way to work with the apps if you have one screen only, as you can easily switch between them.
FaceTime
We rely on video chatting apps more than we thought we did. That’s why FaceTime got a significant update in macOS Ventura. Now, FaceTime allows you to move calls from your Mac to another device, such as an iPhone or an iPad, and vice versa.
Continuity Camera
Perhaps, it’s something many Mac users have waited for. With macOS Ventura, you can finally use your iPhone as a Mac webcam. All you have to do is bring it close to your Mac. For iPhone 11 and later, Portrait mode, Studio Light, and Centre Stage are available, along with the Desk View that uses the Ultra Wide camera to demonstrate your desk.
What is something most users possibly dream of when sending an email? Right, the unsend function. In macOS Ventura, Apple has finally added it. Now, you have 10 seconds to unsend an email. It may seem like it’s not enough, but it’s still a good place to begin the improvement of the function. Besides, there are some additional functions introduced: remind me, schedules send, and follow up. All of these make the built-in Mail app even handier.
Spotlight
Spotlight has been around for a while. However, it has experienced some improvements with the release of macOS Ventura. Now, you can enjoy better image search and find images from Messages, Photos, Notes, and Finder. Also, you can use Live Text to find any text located in the images.
Features introduced in macOS Monterey
macOS Ventura brought a bunch of great improvements to make your experience on a Mac more seamless, focused, and fun. The previous OS version, macOS Monterey, introduced even more major changes and updates. Let’s recall some of the best features added in macOS Monterey.
Live Text
macOS Monterey makes it possible to interact with text in photos — you can copy and paste, look up, and translate every word. Live Text also works in Safari, which is incredibly useful if you want to search for a particular word or phrase on a web page.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts made their way to Macs in macOS Monterey. With the updated shortcuts gallery, you can explore lots of different shortcuts and optimize your everyday tasks. You can now add your favorite shortcuts to the menu bar and run them with a few clicks.
Focus
Apple’s new Focus feature is a great productivity tool you never know you needed: it helps customize which notifications you want to receive and block unneeded ones. It lets you set up multiple custom modes across all your devices and share your status with those who want to contact you in Messages.
64-bit applications
If you skipped macOS Catalina and are still running macOS Mojave, there is an issue with 32-bit apps you should know about. Before Catalina, the 32-bit / 64-bit app distinction was known only to programmers. These numbers represent different types of app architecture. Starting macOS Catalina and continuing on Monterey and Ventura, 32-bit apps will no longer be supported on Macs. For many users, this will be the single reason to avoid it and stay with good ol’ Mojave. Some big-name applications are still yet to be optimized for Ventura and 64-bit. Unfortunately, some apps will never be optimized.
If you’re still planning to upgrade, there are tools to make the transition less painful. For example, the Mac problem-fixing tool, CleanMyMac X, has an Updater feature. It checks how many 32-bits you have and updates them to newer versions (if such are available).
What were the previous macOS versions called?
Here’s a list of the most recent versions of macOS and OS X
Name
Year of release
Features
Visual overhaul, faster Safari, Control Centre app, privacy improvements.
macOS High Sierra
APFS, Metal 2, support for HEVC video, improvements to VR
Siri on the Mac, iCloud Drive, optimized storage, Universal Clipboard
OS X El Capitan
San Francisco system font, Metal, split-screen mode, improved spotlight
Redesigned ‘flat’ interface, Continuity, Handoff, Photos
Improved battery life, iBooks, Maps, Finder tabs, faster Safari
The brief evolution of macOS versions
The latest version of macOS, Ventura, looks set to be even better than the previous macOS, Monterey. There are lots of good reasons to download and install it since it became available in October 2022. Lots of staple Mac apps have already been optimized for Ventura. One of them is CleanMyMac X that helps speed up the system and free it up from excessive junk.
Complete list of Mac OS X & macOS versions
Mac OS X was first launched in September 2020. This is the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the operating system.
List of names and release dates for macOS versions:-
Here are all macOS and Mac OS X versions Apple releases:
OS X 10 Beta: Kodiak — September 13, 2000
OS X 10.0: Leopard — March 24, 2001
OS X 10.1: Puma — September 25, 2001
OS X 10.2: Jaguar — August 24, 2002
OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot) — October 24, 2003
OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) — April 29, 2005
[OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay)]
OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) — October 26, 2007
OS X 10.6 Ice Leopard — August 28, 2009
OS X 10.7 Lion (Barol) — November 20, 2011
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfendell) — July 25, 2012
OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) — October 22, 2013
OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Saira) — October 16, 2014
OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) — September 30, 2015
macOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) — September 20, 2016
macOS 10.13: High Sierra (Lobo) — September 25, 2017
macOS 10.14: Mojave (Liberty) — September 24, 2018
macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) — October 7, 2019
macOS 11: Big Sur — Currently in Beta
Mac OS X and macOS name meaning
As you can see in the list above, except the first OS X beta, from 2001 to 2012, all operating system versions of Mac were named after the great Fellinspecies from the leopard to the Black Panther and the Mountain Lion.
Public is released as a leopard, but operating systems are named after the wine (except for OS X 10.6 and macOS 10.13, both versions are unnamed).
Their inner names remained as alcohol until 2014, after their names were changed from cats to cats in California in 2013. In 2015, Apple decided to rename the above for the operating system. To name the apple (what an “adventurous” decision).
However, apple is fed up with apples in 2019 and loves cats with the Catalina version.
In 2016, Apple named the operating system brands, so it changed the Mac OS X to Mac OS for tone with iOS, TVOS and WatchOS.
What is the latest macOS operating system?
Apple will launch the official version of macOS Big Sur or macOS 11 in the fall of 2020.
Check for the working macOS version
You can tell which version of MacOS you are running by clicking on the Apple logo on the top left side and selecting this Mac.
macOS Big Sur 4+
macOS Big Sur elevates the world's most advanced desktop operating system to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy.
Design
• New design for apps makes it easier to focus on your content and take action with space efficient toolbars and full height sidebars
• Updated menu bar features wider spacing and a new translucent material that becomes more vibrant when you interact with it
• Refreshed system sounds include the boot chime and sounds for transferring files, moving items to the trash, locking files, and more
Control Center
• Control Center puts your favorite menus and controls in one handy place in the menu bar so you can quickly adjust settings as you work
• Additional controls appear when you click to expand Control Center menus
• Support for pinning favorite menus from Control Center to the menu bar
Notification Center
• Updated Notification Center brings notifications and widgets together in one view
• Interactive notifications display additional actions you can take with a deep press
• Beautiful, new data-rich widgets for Calendar, Clock, Notes, Photos, Podcasts, Reminders, Screen Time, Stocks, and Weather
• Edit view lets you to add new widgets and customize their size
• Support for widgets from third-party apps
Safari
• World's fastest desktop browser with industry-leading performance and energy efficiency*
• Customizable new start page lets you set a background image and decide what appears, including Reading List, iCloud Tabs, Privacy Report and more
• Expanded extensions support and new dedicated category in the App Store for discovering new extensions
• New tab design featuring favicons in tabs, and website previews that appear when you hover over a tab
• Translation (beta) for English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Russian or Brazilian Portuguese
• Privacy Report gives you visibility into how Safari keeps your browsing your business, with an overview of trackers blocked by Intelligent Tracking Prevention
• Safari password monitoring securely screens saved passwords for any that may have been involved in a data breach
• Safari privacy prompts for extensions let you choose when a website can work with an extension
Messages
• Pinned conversations keep up to nine of your favorite threads at the top of the list
• Mentions let you direct a message to an individual in a group conversation
• Inline replies let you reply to a specific message earlier in the conversation
• Message effects for balloons, confetti, lasers and more
• #images helps you find and add trending GIFs to messages
• Memoji makes it simple to create a personalized character and send stickers that match your mood and personality
Maps
• Guides offer recommendations for places to go and things to do, curated by a selection of trusted brands
• Look Around to explore cities in a high-resolution, interactive 3D experience
• Indoor maps for major airports and shopping centers
• Cycling directions helps you find bike-friendly routes to your destination
• Electric vehicle routing helps you plan trips for supported vehicles that you add on iPhone
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
* Performance will vary based on system configuration, network connection, and other factors.