macOS

The name of Apple's Unix-based operating system for Mac desktop and laptop computers. macOS is a continuation of the Mac OS X operating system, which was rebranded as macOS starting with the Sierra version in 2016.

Since its introduction in 1984, the Mac operating system has had five brand names (see below) and was designed to work with four hardware lines: Motorola, PowerPC, Intel and ARM. See Motorola, PowerPC, Intel Mac, Apple M series, macOS server and Mac computer.

Name Evolution

Prior to macOS, Apple used "System," "Mac OS," "Mac OS X" and "OS X" designations for its operating system. Mac OS X was a major upgrade that was branded with animal names followed by places in California for macOS (see Mac OS X).

System
Year   Name      Version Name

2025   macOS     26.0   Tahoe

2024   macOS     15.0   Sequoia
2023   macOS     14.0   Sonoma
2022   macOS     13.0   Ventura
2021   macOS     12.0   Monterey
2020   macOS     11.0   Big Sur
2019   macOS     10.15  Catalina
2018   macOS     10.14  Mojave
2017   macOS     10.13  High Sierra
2016   macOS     10.12  Sierra

2013   OS X      10.9 to 10.11

1999   Mac OS X  10.0 to 10.8

1995   Mac OS    7.6 to 9.2

1984   System    1 to 7.5