What version of macOS can my Mac use?

Wondering which versions of macOS or Mac OS X your Mac can run? Our macOS Compatibility Checker shows you which Macs support different versions of macOS and Mac OS X, so you can see which macOS you should be running on your Mac.

Which Mac operating systems can my Mac use?

Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system almost every year, but it won’t support every Mac. Every year, more and more Macs fall by the wayside, unable to be updated to take advantage of the latest features. Read on to find out which Macs are supported by each version of the Mac operating system.

But it might not just be a matter of wanting to know if your Mac can run the latest operating system. Some people want to know if it is possible to downgrade their Mac to an older version of macOS. In that case, they might want to know what the oldest macOS they can use is.

Officially, the operating system that was available on that Mac when you bought it is the oldest version of macOS that can run on that Mac. It is likely that an older operating system does not have the necessary drivers for the hardware on your newer Mac. For this reason, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to install an older version of macOS on a new Mac — but you can take a look at Installing Old Versions of macOS or OS X for advice on what’s possible. You also cannot run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs.

We’ve got a full list of all the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X here.

Not sure which Mac you own? Check out our article on how to identify your Mac.

Note: In any case, the year referenced below is the year Mac was introduced – for example, you could have bought a 2016 MacBook in early 2017, but it’s still the 2016 MacBook. This is important to keep in mind if you’re looking for an older version of macOS on a Mac. Macs are generally not compatible with versions of macOS that are older than the version it shipped with.

Ventura Compatibility

Apple’s sample macOS Ventura and beta is out now, but if you want to use Ventura on your Mac, you’ll have to wait until September or October 2022 — and you’ll need one of these Macs:

• 2017 or later MacBook models
• MacBook Air models from 2018 or later
• 2017 or later MacBook Pro models
• Mac mini models from 2018 or later
• iMac models from 2019 or later
• iMac Pro (all models)
• Mac Pro models from 2013 or later
• Mac Studio (all models)

Monterey Compatibility

macOS Monterey was made available for download on Monday, October 25, 2021. Here’s how to update macOS.

The following Macs are compatible with macOS Monterey:

• MacBook models from early 2016 or later
• MacBook Air models from early 2015 or later
• MacBook Pro models from early 2015 or later
• Mac mini models from 2014 or later
• iMac from 2015 or later
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Late 2013 and later Mac Pro models
• Mac Studio

Compatibility with Big Sur

Big Sur was the version of macOS that arrived on some Macs in November 2020. Here is a list of the Macs that can run macOS Big Sur:

• MacBook models from early 2015 or later
• MacBook Air models from 2013 or later
• MacBook Pro models from 2013 or later
• Mac mini models from 2014 or later
• iMac from 2014 or later
• iMac Pro (all models)
• 2013 and 2019 Mac Pro models

Catalina Compatibility

Catalina arrived in October 2019 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (2015 to 2017)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2019)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2019)
• Mac mini (late 2012 to late 2018)
• iMac (late 2012 to 2019)
• iMac Pro (all models)
• Mac Pro models from 2013

Note that the M1-series Macs cannot run Catalina or earlier.

Mojave Compatibility

Mojave arrived in September 2018 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2017, as it is the same as the 2015 model)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2018)
• Mac mini (late 2012 to late 2018)
• iMac (Late 2012 to Mid 2017)
• iMac Pro (all models)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended metal-enabled GPU)

High Sierra Compatibility

High Sierra arrived in September 2017 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, same as 2015 model)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2017)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014)
• iMac (Late 2009 to Mid 2017)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013)

Sierra Compatibility

Sierra arrived in September 2016 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, same as 2015 model)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2015)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014)
• iMac (Late 2009 to 2015)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013)

Compatibility with El Capitan

El Capitan arrived in September 2015 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017)
• MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 to early 2015)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to early 2015)
• Mac mini (early 2009 to 2014)
• iMac (Mid 2007 to Mid 2015)
• Mac Pro (2008, 2010, 2013)

Yosemite Compatibility

Yosemite arrived in October 2014 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 to Mid 2013)
• MacBook Pro (13″ Mid 2009 to Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (15″ Mid/Late 2007 to Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (17″ late 2007 to 2011)
• Mac mini (early 2009 to 2012)
• iMac (Mid 2007 to Mid 2014)
• Mac Pro (2008 and 2010)

Mavericks Compatibility

Mavericks arrived in October 2013 and can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 to Mid 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2007 to early 2013)
• Xserve (early 2009)
• Mac mini (early 2009 to 2012)
• iMac (Mid 2007 to early 2013)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010)

Mountain Lion Compatibility

Mountain Lion, the last of the “cat” versions of macOS that launched in July 2012, can run on the following Macs:

• MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 to Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to Mid 2012)
• Mac mini (early 2009 to 2011)
• iMac (Mid 2007 to 2011)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010)

Wondering how long Apple will support your Mac? Read: How Long Do Macs Last?