The latest model of macOS, aka macOS 14, aka Sonoma (named after the Californian wine area), has been obtainable since September 2023. It introduced new options to Macs together with modifications to widgets, a brand new Recreation Mode, the flexibility to simply flip net pages into net apps, and enjoyable additions to video conferencing apps. Learn on for the lowdown on all the brand new options and additional enhancements coming all through 2024. Apple can be unveiling the subsequent model of macOS at WWDC in June, however growth of macOS 14 Sonoma will proceed and safety updates can be issued even after macOS 15 arrives later in 2024.
Replace June 17, 2024: Apple has launched the macOS 14.6 beta 1.
macOS 14 Sonoma: Newest model
The complete model of macOS 14 was launched to most of the people on Tuesday, September 26 (the earliest macOS launch date since 2018). That was model 14.0. Many smaller level updates have been launched since then, together with:
The most recent model is macOS Sonoma 14.5, which arrived on Might 13. It features a new every day phrase recreation referred to as Quartiles which is a part of Apple Information+ and a Scoreboard within the Information app for entry to crosswords and different video games.
macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 arrived on March 25 and introduced a number of necessary bug fixes. These embody an incapability to acknowledge USB hubs related to exterior shows (see the entry for Sonoma 14.4, under), and Java apps quitting unexpectedly.
The macOS Sonoma 14.4 replace, launched on March 7, introduced new emoji, updates to the Podcast app, an icons solely possibility for the Safari Favourite Bar, and safety and bug fixes. Nonetheless, it seems this model included a Java bug and a USB drawback, with customers complaining that exterior shows with USB hubs related have stopped working. There was additionally an iCloud Drive bug, with iCloud Drive now not preserving saved variations of a file. If you’re experiencing these points you’ll be able to observe our information to revert a macOS replace.
macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 arrived on February 8 and glued an issue the place “textual content could unexpectedly duplicate or overlap whereas typing.”
macOS Sonoma 14.3 arrived on January 22 and introduced Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music. It additionally features a patch for a zero-day vulnerability that will have been exploited within the wild.
macOS Sonoma 14.2 arrived on December 11, 2023, and introduced Enhanced AutoFill, Contact Key Verification, and varied app updates. Extra particulars about what’s new are under.
macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 arrived on November 30 and glued two exploited zero-day WebKit flaws that have been additionally patched in iOS and iPadOS with 17.1.2. Apple additionally launched Safari 17.1.2 for Ventura and older to deal with the identical exploits.
Beforehand, macOS Sonoma 14.1.1 arrived on November 7. It consists of bug fixes and safety updates and is advisable for all customers.
Earlier than that macOS Sonoma 14.1, was launched on October 25.
There can be numerous updates over the approaching months, each minor level releases for bug fixes and safety updates and main releases that add among the Sonoma options that weren’t obtainable at launch.
macOS 14 Sonoma beta: Newest model and launch date
Since macOS Sonoma arrived in September 2023, Apple has continued to develop new options for the working system. The corporate recurrently points updates to the developer model and public model of the beta.
On June 17 Apple launched macOS 14.6 beta 1. When you’d like to affix the beta for the subsequent model of macOS learn this: Learn how to be a part of Apple’s beta program and check out new software program.
macOS 14.6: New options
With the discharge of the macOS 14.6 beta 1, no new options have been revealed. This text can be up to date if any new options are found.
macOS 14.5: New options
macOS 14.5 solely actually introduced new options to Apple Information+ subscribers. These included the brand new Quartiles recreation, which joins the Crossword and Crossword mini video games within the Puzzles part, and a Scoreboard to view all of your mini video games knowledge.
macOS 14.4: New options
As we mentioned above, there are a number of issues with the macOS 14.4 replace, together with a Java bug, a USB drawback, and an iCloud Drive drawback, so in the event you haven’t up to date but you would possibly wish to wait. If you’re experiencing these points observe our information to revert a macOS replace.
As for what new options macOS 14.4 brings:
- New emoji: together with Damaged Chain, Brown Mushroom, Head Shaking Horizontally, Head Shaking Vertically, Lime, and Phoenix, in addition to a number of various route emoji.
- Updates to the Podcast app.
- An icons solely possibility for the Safari Favourite Bar.
- iMessage replace: Apple is introducing a new iMessage protocol that may use post-quantum cryptography to encrypt for conversations.
- Fixes: There are additionally varied fixes coming that ought to resolve points with CreateML, the Finder, Messages, and Passkeys. A difficulty the place it wasn’t potential to replace to macOS 14.4 from macOS 11.0-12.3.1 can also be addressed. Learn extra about macOS 14.4 right here.
macOS 14.3: New options
macOS 14.3 introduced the next new options:
- Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music.
- Emoji reactions for tracks in collaborative playlists.
- AppleCare & Guarantee in Settings exhibits particulars of all of your eligible gadgets.
- StoreKit: new options and bug fixes for builders.
- SwiftUI: new options and bug fixes for builders.
- Apple has additionally revealed there can be a number of bug fixes coming within the replace. Within the 14.4 beta launch notes the corporate lists fixes for a problem with CreateML, a decision for a Finder problem, a problem with stickers in Messages.
Updates from macOS 11.0–12.3.1 to Sonoma could not work, through which case Apple recommends updating to macOS 12.4 first.
macOS 14.2: New options
New options in macOS 14.2 embody:
- iMessage Contact Key Verification: Improved safety for contact key verification customers.
- StoreKit: Value, forex, and currencyCode are actually obtainable on Transaction.
- PDFs: An Enhanced AutoFill characteristic makes use of Contacts knowledge to fill out a PDF or scanned doc.
Whereas the brand new Journal app is a characteristic of iOS 17.2, which arrived on the identical day, it isn’t (but) a Mac app.
The next options, which additionally arrived in iOS 17.2, can be obtainable within the equal apps on macOS:
- Information app: The Information app will help Dwell Actions.
- Apple Music: Additionally, you will have the ability to disable the listening historical past in Apple Music so it doesn’t influence Apple Music options.
- TV app: There’ll now not be separate Films and TV Reveals tabs. Only a Retailer tab.
- Messages: You may react to iMessages with any emoji or sticker. Warning for stickers if in case you have enabled it for Messages.
- Climate: Now you can see wind and rain on a map.
- Clock: You may run a number of timers.
macOS 14.1: New options
The macOS 14.1 replace included:
- Apple Music: New Favorites playlist.
- Protection part within the Basic System Settings that features Apple Care data.
- Repair for a problem with Distant Widgets.
- Addressed points with Pockets and WidgetKit.
There’s extra element about what’s in macOS Sonoma–and what’s coming–under.
Learn how to set up macOS 14 Sonoma
We cowl learn how to set up macOS Sonoma in a separate article, we additionally cowl among the points you would possibly encounter putting in Sonoma, so in the event you do have any difficulties try that article. It must be easy sufficient to put in macOS Sonoma although.
- Go to System Settings (System Preferences in older variations of macOS).
- Click on on Basic.
- Click on on Software program Replace and your Mac will seek for the replace. If it’s the day that Sonoma arrives, you will have to attend some time earlier than it exhibits up.
- Click on on Improve Now and watch for the macOS installer to obtain.
- As soon as the installer has downloaded click on on Set up and wait whereas the software program is put in in your Mac (throughout which era you gained’t have the ability to use the Mac.)
macOS 14 Sonoma: Learn how to set up and take away the beta
If you’re a beta tester chances are you’ll wish to cease receiving beta updates as soon as the total model of Sonoma arrives. On this case, you’ll be able to go to Software program Updates, click on on the (i) beside Beta updates, and switch them off–that manner you shouldn’t obtain any extra beta variations of the software program and can have the ability to replace to the total model of macOS 14. This course of is a bit more difficult if you wish to downgrade from the iOS 17 beta to iOS 16, or from a subsequent beta of iOS 17 to the unique model. When you then wish to uninstall the beta, now we have a information for that: Learn how to take away macOS Sonoma beta.
When you haven’t been a part of the beta however wish to be a part of, putting in the beta is easy, particularly since Apple modified the beta course of in macOS 13.4. It was essential to obtain the Beta Entry Utility for each machine, however now you solely must register your Apple ID for the beta program to put in betas on each Apple machine that’s signed into that account.
Then if you go to Software program Replace, you’ll see a brand new tab for Beta Updates, which can record the beta variations which can be obtainable to you. If you wish to set up the general public beta, choose macOS 14 Public Beta.
Simply bear in mind: betas are usually not as steady because the official model–options could also be carried out after which withdrawn, or they might not work correctly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isn’t assured.
If you wish to set up the beta, observe our macOS beta set up information. For extra on becoming a member of the beta program learn: Learn how to be a part of Apple’s beta program and check out new software program.
macOS Sonoma compatibility: Which Macs will have the ability to run macOS 14?
Apple dropped help for some 2017 Macs from the Sonoma compatibility record.
These are the Macs which can be capable of run macOS Sonoma:
- 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
When Apple launched macOS Ventura, the next Macs may run it:
- 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)
A Mac could also be appropriate with macOS 14, however unable to run among the new options. Some new options could require Apple chips and never run on Intel-based Macs.
To search out out which model of macOS older Macs can run check out our macOS compatibility record.
macOS 14 Sonoma options
Listed here are the brand new options in macOS Sonoma. Some arrived with the primary launch and others will come later.
Learn our comparability of macOS Sonoma and macOS Ventura for extra particulars about what’s modified and discover out which Sonoma options are coming later to search out out which of them will arrive later.
Login Display screen modifications
From the second that your Mac begins up in Sonoma you’ll discover the distinction. Apple has redesigned the login display screen so that you simply enter your password on the backside reasonably than the center of the display screen.
We clarify learn how to navigate the brand new Lock Display screen and set your preferences right here: Learn how to customise and navigate the brand new login display screen.
Desktop widgets
You’ll have the ability to add extra Widgets from the Widget Gallery and place them anyplace on the display screen. Apple has gone to lengths to verify they aren’t distracting, they’ll basically fade into the background.
Additionally, you will have the ability to add Widgets from an iPhone utilizing Continuity, the iPhone simply must be close by, on or similar Wi-Fi community. Learn: How Apple’s upcoming widget revolution will change our screens endlessly.
Learn to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop.
Apple Music
The power to simply mark Favorites and create a Favourite Songs playlist arrived with macOS 14.1. macOS 14.3 is anticipated to deliver Apple Music Playlist collaboration.
Login display screen
Apple made some modifications to the login display screen and added a brand new immersive animation that leads into your desktop.
Wallpapers
Apple added some stunning animated wallpapers exhibiting areas from world wide. See: One of the best wallpapers included in macOS Sonoma.
Private Voice
A brand new Private Voice characteristic means that you can prepare your Mac to speak along with your voice after which use that to transform textual content to speech. We clarify learn how to use it right here: macOS Sonoma: Learn how to prepare your Mac to speak in your voice
Recreation Mode
This new mode ensures that video games get the very best precedence on GPU and CPU, which ought to assist with playability. It should make gaming on Mac “extra immersive,” in keeping with Apple. Different modifications ought to scale back latency with controllers and enhance in-game responsiveness.
Apple introduced that extra Mac video games are coming, and demonstrated “Demise Stranding: Administrators Reduce” (which is sadly not a brand new recreation). Apple additionally defined the way it will assist recreation builders deliver their video games to the Mac with a brand new Recreation Porting package that features instruments that devs can use to shortly port their video games to the Mac, considerably decreasing the sport growth time. Learn: Apple’s Recreation Porting Toolkit is the primary actual step to fixing Mac gaming. We additionally clarify Learn how to use Recreation Mode to spice up efficiency.
Learn our round-up of the Greatest video games for Mac.
Video conferencing
Apple
Apple
Apple
Whenever you share your display screen throughout a presentation your presence can get misplaced. To repair this problem Apple has devised a brand new video impact referred to as Presenter Overlay that may overlay your face over the presentation, separating you from the background. This will seem like the image above, or be a smaller bubble along with your face in (which can cowl much less of the presentation).
Different new options embody the flexibility so as to add a response to your video to indicate how you are feeling about one thing. For instance, in the event you present two thumbs up a fireworks animation will play. These options will also be used as video results with different video conferencing apps, so it’s not tied to FaceTime.
Safari
It is possible for you to to create Safari Profiles so you’ll be able to separate accounts between work and residential/college profiles.
Safari and WebKit achieve new typography.
Customers will have the ability to block non-public searching home windows once they aren’t getting used.
It will likely be potential to share Passkeys and Passwords with relations. This can be end-to-end encrypted through iCloud Keychain.
See: Safari 17: All the brand new options coming to your Mac this fall
Net apps
It will likely be straightforward to make a web site you employ quite a bit right into a Net App. Simply open the webpage and select File > Add to Dock so as to add a webpage to the Dock as an icon and open it to get an app-like look for that net web page that opens outdoors of Safari.
Learn to make and handle Net Apps in macOS Sonoma.
PDFs and Notes
The AutoFill for PDFs characteristic arrived with macOS 14.2 in December 2023. It really works with Contacts to pick the data wanted and makes it straightforward to fill out PDFs quicker and securely.
Additionally, you will have the ability to view PDFs in Notes, hyperlink associated notes, and open a Be aware in Pages to replace it there.
Keyboard
Modifications to the keyboard embody improved Autocorrect accuracy and inline typing predictions.
Messages
You may anticipate improved Search of the Messages app, with the ability to refine your search as you go.
There’s a brand new Sticker drawer, catchup for group conversations, and enhancements to Messages in iCloud.
There can be warnings about doubtlessly delicate movies and pictures earlier than you open them, and as of macOS 14.2 warnings about Stickers.
Safety
Enhancements to Lockdown Mode will assist defend in opposition to cyber assaults. Lockdown Mode makes it straightforward to guard your Apple gadgets and your knowledge in case you are the sufferer of a cyberattack.
In macOS Sonoma Apple simplified the usage of 2FA on web sites. Safari will mechanically fill within the code you’re despatched (as a textual content or e-mail) and mechanically delete the e-mail or textual content afterwards.
One other security-related characteristic in Sonoma is a simplification of the method for sharing passwords with family and friends. Customers can create a gaggle and share a set of passwords to that group. It’s end-to-end encrypted.
In Safari you’ll be able to set a brand new Personal Looking Lock to seem on the display screen to cease onlookers from viewing your display screen if you aren’t current.