Every autumn Apple releases a new version of macOS, each with its own name. This overview lists the macOS versions of recent years, shows how to see which version your Mac has, and up to which version your MacBook can update. That last point matters: a Mac that no longer gets updates eventually stops getting security updates too.
Blue Apple repairs Macs in Amsterdam, from old Intel models to the newest. We use this overview ourselves to decide whether repairing an older Mac still makes sense.
Which version does your Mac have?
Click the Apple logo top left and choose About This Mac. You see the name and version number of macOS, and also which chip and which year your Mac has. You need both to see up to which version you can update.
The recent versions at a glance
- macOS 27 Golden Gate (September 2026): only for Macs with an Apple chip, including the MacBook Neo. Intel Macs can no longer come along.
- macOS 26 Tahoe (2025): the last version for Intel Macs, with the new Liquid Glass design. Apple jumped from 15 to 26 so the number matches the year.
- macOS 15 Sequoia (2024): among other things iPhone mirroring on the Mac and window tiling.
- macOS 14 Sonoma (2023): widgets on the desktop.
- macOS 13 Ventura (2022): the new System Settings instead of System Preferences.
- macOS 12 Monterey (2021).
- macOS 11 Big Sur (2020): the first version for Macs with an Apple chip.
- macOS 10.15 Catalina (2019): the first version that could no longer run 32-bit programs.
Up to which version can your MacBook update?
As a rule of thumb for MacBooks:
- Every MacBook with an Apple chip (from late 2020): macOS 27 Golden Gate.
- 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, four ports): up to macOS 26 Tahoe.
- Other MacBook Pro models from 2018 and MacBook Air from 2020 (Intel): up to macOS 15 Sequoia.
- MacBook Air from 2018 and 2019: up to macOS 14 Sonoma.
- MacBook Pro from 2017: up to macOS 13 Ventura.
- MacBooks from 2015: up to macOS 12 Monterey.
If in doubt, look in System Settings, General, Software Update. There the Mac only offers versions it can handle. The full list per model is on Apple's site.
Do you always need the newest version?
For your safety it is wise to always install updates within your current version. Moving to a new major version can wait until your programs support it. Always make a Time Machine backup before a big update. What to do if an update goes wrong is explained in MacBook will not start up.
Your Mac no longer gets updates
It keeps working, but after a while security updates stop and apps drop support. For online banking and e-mail a recent version is sensible. An older Mac can still serve well for music, word processing or as a second computer. There are also tools to put a newer macOS on an older Intel Mac; read about that in OpenCore Legacy Patcher.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
If you want to know whether repairing your older Mac is still worth it, we look at the model, the condition of the battery and drive, and up to which macOS version it can still go. You hear honestly whether it is worth it. Also read repair your MacBook or buy a new one and our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the newest macOS?
macOS 27 Golden Gate, released in September 2026, with smaller updates since.
Why did macOS go from 15 to 26?
Since 2025 Apple uses the coming year as the version number, for all its systems at once.
Can I download an older macOS version?
Yes, older versions can be found via the App Store or Apple's site, but only for Macs that support them.
