What is the latest macOS you can install?
Before we start
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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).
Download the free version of CleanMyMac X here.
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 |
| macOS Ventura | 2022 | FaceTime improvements, Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, Spotlight and Mail improvements |
| macOS Monterey | 2021 | FaceTime improvements, Shortcuts, Live Text, Focus, Universal Control |
| macOS Big Sur | 2020 | Visual overhaul, faster Safari, Control Centre app, privacy improvements. |
| macOS Catalina | 2019 | iPad apps on Mac, a.k.a Sidecar, new Music and Podcasts apps, Screentime. |
| macOS Mojave | 2018 | Dark mode, dynamic wallpaper, redesigned Mac App Store. |
macOS High Sierra | 2017 | APFS, Metal 2, support for HEVC video, improvements to VR |
macOS Sierra | 2016 | Siri on the Mac, iCloud Drive, optimized storage, Universal Clipboard |
OS X El Capitan | 2015 | San Francisco system font, Metal, split-screen mode, improved spotlight |
OS X Yosemite | 2014 | Redesigned 'flat' interface, Continuity, Handoff, Photos |
OS X Mavericks | 2013 | 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.
