macOS 14, a.okay.a. 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 internet pages into internet 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. Sonoma received’t be the most recent model of macOS for lengthy now although: Apple unveiled macOS Sequoia at WWDC in June, and that can be arriving on Macs within the fall, however the improvement of macOS 14 Sonoma will proceed and safety updates can be issued even after macOS Sequoia arrives later in 2024.
Replace September 16, 2024: Apple launched the macOS 14.7 replace with safety patches.
macOS 14 Sonoma: Newest model
The total model of macOS 14 was launched to most 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 14.7. Launched on September 16, 2024, the replace accommodates safety patches and bug fixes.
macOS Sonoma 14.6.1, which was launched on August 7. it accommodates a repair for a bug in Superior Information Safety, which encrypts iCloud knowledge.
macOS Sonoma 14.6 was made obtainable on July 29. It contains the flexibility for the M3 MacBook Professional to run two exterior shows in clamshell mode and is an replace of safety patches and bug fixes. Apple has a whole record of all the safety updates obtainable on its safety notes webpage. Learn: You may lastly run twin exterior shows on the M3 MacBook Professional and Air: Right here’s how. Additionally learn: join two or extra exterior shows to an M1, M2, or M3 MacBook.
macOS Sonoma 14.5 arrived on Could 13. It features a new day by day phrase recreation known 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 vital bug fixes. These embrace an incapacity to acknowledge USB hubs linked 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 choice for the Safari Favourite Bar, and safety and bug fixes. Nonetheless, it seems this model included a Java bug and a USB downside, with customers complaining that exterior shows with USB hubs linked have stopped working. There was additionally an iCloud Drive bug, with iCloud Drive not preserving saved variations of a file. If you’re experiencing these points you possibly can observe our information to revert a macOS replace.
macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 arrived on February 8 and stuck an issue the place “textual content might 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 which 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 stuck 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 contains bug fixes and safety updates and is beneficial for all customers.
Earlier than that macOS Sonoma 14.1, was launched on October 25.
There can be plenty of updates over the approaching months, each minor level releases for bug fixes and safety updates and main releases that add a few of 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 often points updates to the developer model and public model of the beta.
On June 17 Apple launched macOS 14.6 beta 1.
On July 16, Apple launched macOS 14.6 beta 4.
If you happen to’d like to affix the beta for the subsequent model of macOS learn this: be a part of Apple’s beta program and check out new software program.
macOS 14.6: New options
Even with the discharge of the macOS 14.6 beta 4, no new options are obvious. 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 couple of issues with the macOS 14.4 replace, together with a Java bug, a USB downside, and an iCloud Drive downside, so when 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 different route emoji.
- Updates to the Podcast app.
- An icons solely choice 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 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 reveals particulars of all of your eligible units.
- 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 difficulty with CreateML, a decision for a Finder difficulty, a difficulty with stickers in Messages.
Updates from macOS 11.0–12.3.1 to Sonoma might not work, wherein case Apple recommends updating to macOS 12.4 first.
macOS 14.2: New options
New options in macOS 14.2 embrace:
- iMessage Contact Key Verification: Improved safety for contact key verification customers.
- StoreKit: Worth, forex, and currencyCode at the moment are 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 assist Stay Actions.
- Apple Music: Additionally, you will be capable of disable the listening historical past in Apple Music so it doesn’t influence Apple Music recommendations.
- TV app: There’ll not be separate Motion pictures and TV Exhibits tabs. Only a Retailer tab.
- Messages: You may react to iMessages with any emoji or sticker. Warning for stickers when 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 info.
- Repair for a difficulty with Distant Widgets.
- Addressed points with Pockets and WidgetKit.
There’s extra element about what’s in macOS Sonoma–and what’s coming–under.
set up macOS 14 Sonoma
We cowl find out how to set up macOS Sonoma in a separate article, we additionally cowl a few of the points you would possibly encounter putting in Sonoma, so when you do have any difficulties try that article. It ought to 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 reveals up.
- Click on on Improve Now and await 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 received’t be capable of use the Mac.)
macOS 14 Sonoma: set up and take away the beta
If you’re a beta tester you could wish to cease receiving beta updates as soon as the complete model of Sonoma arrives. On this case, you possibly can go to Software program Updates, click on on the (i) beside Beta updates, and switch them off–that approach you shouldn’t obtain any extra beta variations of the software program and can be capable of replace to the complete model of macOS 14. This course of is a bit more sophisticated 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. If you happen to then wish to uninstall the beta, we have now a information for that: take away macOS Sonoma beta.
If you happen to haven’t been a part of the beta however wish to be a part of, putting in the beta is straightforward, particularly since Apple modified the beta course of in macOS 13.4. It was essential to obtain the Beta Entry Utility for each system, however now you solely must register your Apple ID for the beta program to put in betas on each Apple system that’s signed into that account.
Then whenever you go to Software program Replace, you’ll see a brand new tab for Beta Updates, which is able to record the beta variations which are obtainable to you. If you wish to set up the general public beta, choose macOS 14 Public Beta.
Simply keep in mind: betas will not be as steady because the official model–options could also be applied after which withdrawn, or they could 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: be a part of Apple’s beta program and check out new software program.
macOS Sonoma compatibility: Which Macs will be capable of run macOS 14?
Apple dropped assist for some 2017 Macs from the Sonoma compatibility record.
These are the Macs which are 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 might 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 a few of the new options. Some new options require Apple chips and don’t 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 below 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 modifications
From the second that your Mac begins up in Sonoma you’ll discover the distinction. Apple has redesigned the login display so that you simply enter your password on the backside somewhat than the center of the display.
We clarify find out how to navigate the brand new Lock Display and set your preferences right here: customise and navigate the brand new login display.
Desktop widgets
You’ll be capable of add extra Widgets from the Widget Gallery and place them wherever on the display. Apple has gone to lengths to verify they aren’t distracting, they may primarily fade into the background.
Additionally, you will be capable of 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 perpetually.
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 predicted to convey Apple Music Playlist collaboration.
Login display
Apple made some modifications to the login display and added a brand new immersive animation that leads into your desktop.
Wallpapers
Apple added some stunning animated wallpapers exhibiting places from around the globe. See: The most effective wallpapers included in macOS Sonoma.
Private Voice
A brand new Private Voice characteristic lets you prepare your Mac to speak along with your voice after which use that to transform textual content to speech. We clarify find out how to use it right here: macOS Sonoma: prepare your Mac to speak in your voice
Recreation Mode
This new mode ensures that video games get the best precedence on GPU and CPU, which ought to assist with playability. It is going to make gaming on Mac “extra immersive,” in keeping with Apple. Different modifications ought to cut back latency with controllers and enhance in-game responsiveness.
Apple introduced that extra Mac video games are coming, and demonstrated “Loss of life Stranding: Administrators Lower” (which is sadly not a brand new recreation). Apple additionally defined the way it will assist recreation builders convey their video games to the Mac with a brand new Recreation Porting package that features instruments that devs can use to rapidly port their video games to the Mac, considerably decreasing the sport improvement time. Learn: Apple’s Recreation Porting Toolkit is the primary actual step to fixing Mac gaming. We additionally clarify use Recreation Mode to spice up efficiency.
Learn our round-up of the Greatest video games for Mac.
Video conferencing
Apple
Apple
Apple
Once you share your display throughout a presentation your presence can get misplaced. To repair this difficulty Apple has devised a brand new video impact known as Presenter Overlay that may overlay your face over the presentation, separating you from the background. This could appear as if the image above, or be a smaller bubble along with your face in (which can cowl much less of the presentation).
Different new options embrace the flexibility so as to add a response to your video to point out how you are feeling about one thing. For instance, when you present two thumbs up a fireworks animation will play. These options may 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 possibly can separate accounts between work and residential/college profiles.
Safari and WebKit achieve new typography.
Customers will be capable of block personal shopping 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
Internet apps
It will likely be simple to make a web site you utilize loads right into a Internet 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 internet web page that opens exterior of Safari.
Learn to make and handle Internet 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 out the knowledge wanted and makes it simple to fill out PDFs quicker and securely.
Additionally, you will be capable of view PDFs in Notes, hyperlink associated notes, and open a Word in Pages to replace it there.
Keyboard
Adjustments to the keyboard embrace 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 probably delicate movies and images earlier than you open them, and as of macOS 14.2 warnings about Stickers.
Safety
Enhancements to Lockdown Mode will assist defend towards cyber assaults. Lockdown Mode makes it simple to guard your Apple units and your knowledge if you’re the sufferer of a cyberattack.
In macOS Sonoma Apple simplified the usage of 2FA on web sites. Safari will routinely fill within the code you might be despatched (as a textual content or e mail) and routinely 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 bunch and share a set of passwords to that group. It’s end-to-end encrypted.
In Safari you possibly can set a brand new Personal Looking Lock to seem on the display to cease onlookers from viewing your display whenever you aren’t current.