macOS Sequoia has been out there for suitable Macs since September 2024, however additional updates to Seqoia are anticipated over the subsequent few months, with the primary main replace being macOS 15.1, which arrived on October 28.
If you wish to know what the brand new options are, whether or not it is possible for you to to take pleasure in all of them, and in case your Mac is ebven suitable with Sequoia, learn on. We’re additionally monitoring any issues, the newest updates, and what’s new within the beta.
The brand new model of macOS is named Sequoia, named after the Californian Nationwide Park and, extra particularly, the world’s largest timber. Among the many new options coming to Macs in Sequoia are iPhone mirroring, which places your iPhone display in your Mac’s show and allows you to work together with it through your mouse and keyboard, a brand new Video conferencing presenter preview, and modifications to Safari. As well as, builders will probably be simply capable of port video games between iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
The free software program replace brings a raft of interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new options. On this article, we talk about every little thing you could find out about macOS 15 Sequoia together with obtain it. We additionally hyperlink to numerous tutorials about use the brand new options. Some options will solely work on Macs with an M-series chip, together with a number of Apple Intelligence options that can supply assist with writing, creating photographs, enhancing images, and extra.
Some folks have been operating Sequoia for a while because of Apple’s beta testing program. On this article, we additionally talk about the newest variations of each the developer and public beta.
Replace: Apple launched macOS Sequoia 15.1 on October 28.
macOS Sequoia: Newest model
The most recent model of macOS Sequoia is macOS 15.1. It arrived on October 28. This main replace brings the primary rast of Apple Intelligence options to Macs with the M-series chip.
macOS 15.0.1 was launched on October 3, 2024. It didn’t comprise new options, however it did embody two essential bug fixes. One bug repair corrected the error that led Messages to stop when replying to a message that shared an Apple Watch face. The opposite repair was for compatibility with third-party safety software program.
Apple launched macOS Sequoia to the general public sooner than traditional, alongside iOS 18 on Monday, September 16. iOS 18, watchOS and iPadOS 18 have been launched on the identical time. The subsequent main replace to Sequoia will probably be macOS 15.1 which is anticipated by the tip of the month.
For details about what’s coming within the subsequent model have a look at the newest model of the Sequoia beta part beneath.
macOS Sequoia: Options in macOS Sequoia 15.1
Foundry
macOS Sequoia 15.1 contains a lot of new AI options that work on M-series Macs:
Writing Instruments – providing spelling and grammar help and serving to you edit or summarize textual content. These options can be utilized across the working system.
Siri – new design and Kind To Siri. (Kind to Siri isn’t a brand new function, however Apple’s making it extra apparent for these of us who hate speaking to Siri). Siri will probably be higher at sustaining context when you ask associated questions.
Scale back Interruptions – a brand new AI Focus Mode that can filter out unimportant notifications.
Good Reply – you’ll have the ability to use these in Messages and Mail.
Photographs – Reminiscence Film will create slideshows primarily based on a textual content description. You too can use a Clear Up software to take away undesirable parts of a photograph. Enhancements to picture search.
Summaries – Safari will have the ability to summarize articles.
iPhone Mirroring – Drag information from iPhone to Mac and again.
Audio transcriptions – You will get audio transcriptions of your audio recordings in Notes.
macOS Sequoia: What’s coming in in macOS Sequoia 15.2
- Launch date: December 2024 (anticipated)
On October 23, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 1 to builders.
This replace will convey much more Apple Intelligence options together with enhancements to Writing T~ools, generative AI Picture Playground, ChatGPT integration for Siri and Writing Instruments.
macOS Sequoia: Issues & bugs
A number of third-party safety instruments have reported points with the brand new model of the Mac working system. Learn extra right here: Maintain off on updating to macOS Sequoia if you happen to’re utilizing cybersecurity instruments.
CrowdStrike referenced “modifications within the community stack” in an alert despatched to its clients and has held off on help for the brand new OS.
ESET indicated that there’s a drawback is with ESET Cyber Safety model 6, an older model that “will probably be Finish of Life quickly.”
Firefox apparently has firewall-related points with Sequoia.
Messages might stop if a message together with an Apple Watch face was replied to (fastened in macOS 15.0.1)
Compatibility with third-party safety software program was addressed in macOS 15.0.1.
Having issues with Sequoia? Learn: Learn how to downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma
macOS Sequoia compatibility: Which Macs will have the ability to run macOS 15?
Foundry
The next Macs get help for macOS 15.
- iMac from 2019 and later
- Mac Professional from 2019 and later
- iMac Professional from 2017
- Mac Studio from 2022 and later
- MacBook Air from 2020 and later
- Mac mini from 2018 and later
- MacBook Professional from 2018 and later
There are two 13-inch MacBook Air fashions from 2018 and 2019 operating Sonoma that received’t have the ability to set up Sequoia.
The compatibility listing is changing into a urgent concern for customers of Intel Macs. After Apple launched its M-series Macs, the corporate mentioned it could proceed to help Intel Macs for a number of years, however it didn’t supply specifics. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, however the final era of Intel Macs stays on the macOS 15 compatibility listing with a number of Intel Macs that may run macOS Sequoia.
Nonetheless, solely Macs with an M1, M2, or M3-series chip will help the brand new AI options known as “Apple Intelligence.” That features the next:
- iMac from 2021 and later
- Mac Professional from 2023
- Mac Studio from 2022 and later
- MacBook Air from late 2020 and later
- Mac mini from late 2020 and later
- MacBook Professional from late 2020 and later
In case your Mac can’t be up to date to Sequoia that doesn’t imply you might be utterly deserted by Apple. Apple will present safety updates for some Macs that don’t run macOS 15. Usually, Apple supplies software program updates for the previous two variations of macOS. See: How lengthy does Apple help Macs? On common, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates.
To search out out which model of macOS and older Mac can run check out our macOS compatibility listing.
macOS Sequoia: Ought to I set up Sequoia?
So long as your Mac can run it, we advocate updating to Sequoia. The brand new options–all of which we talk about beneath–look attractive sufficient. We deal with how macOS Sequoia compares to Sonoma? in a separate article. We additionally run by 6 the reason why you could improve to macOS Sequoia.
Nonetheless, it’s sensible to attend per week or so for the inevitable points with the early launch to be addressed: regardless of the beta program, there are sometimes points as soon as the software program replace will get out into the large Mac world. It’s additionally sensible to attend as a result of the obtain will possible take so much longer if you happen to strive quickly after it turns into out there.
Seek advice from the issues and bugs part above to see if any of the recognized points may have an effect on you.
macOS Sequoia: Learn how to set up
Putting in macOS Sequoia is a breeze. Open System Settings and go to Normal > Software program Replace; macOS will test for any out there updates and information you thru the method of putting in them. You merely need to comply with the directions, which we clarify in our macOS updating information. And it’s simpler nonetheless if you happen to’ve turned on Automated Updates, which you are able to do from the identical display.
Nonetheless, if you happen to do encounter issues the next could also be helpful:
macOS Sequoia Beta: Newest model
Apple’s beta testing program for builders and public testers has been operating since June/July and can proceed even after the launch of macOS Sequoia to most people. There’s a separate macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta that features Apple Intelligence options. Beneath you’ll find details about the newest beta variations and set up them.
If you wish to run the developer beta, you could be a registered Apple software program developer, which has each free and paid ($99/£79) variations. Since June 2023 Apple has opened the beta to all registered builders–so now everybody can get the earliest attainable entry to the macOS beta with out paying a penny. Anybody can join the Public Beta, which needs to be extra steady than the developer beta, however it might nonetheless be unstable. By nature, beta software program isn’t as steady as the ultimate model–options could also be carried out after which withdrawn, or they could not work correctly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isn’t assured.
As soon as registered, while you go to System Settings > Normal > Software program Replace in your Mac, you’ll see a brand new tab for Beta Updates, which can listing the model of the beta you’re operating. For instance, if you wish to set up the developer beta choose macOS 15 Public Beta, alternatively, if it’s the general public beta you need, choose macOS 15 Public Beta.
We clarify Learn how to be a part of Apple’s beta program individually, together with particulars of get a free developer account. If you wish to set up the beta, comply with our macOS beta set up information. In the event you then need to uninstall it, now we have a information for that: Learn how to take away macOS beta.
The beta testing will proceed even after Apple releases macOS Sequoia to most people as Apple develops new options unavailable at launch.
Learn Learn how to be a part of Apple’s beta program for extra recommendation.
Newest developer beta
- macOS 15.2 beta 1
- macOS Sequoia 15.1 launch candidate
Apple started the beta program quickly after it revealed the small print of macOS 15 at WWDC. The developer beta is on the market for anybody who desires to run it, however it needs to be famous that betas may be buggy, so we don’t advocate putting in it on a major gadget. Learn: Learn how to set up the Mac beta.
The second model of the developer beta arrived on June 24. This model introduced iPhone Mirroring–the flexibility to entry an iPhone by a Mac. (See the brand new options part beneath for extra particulars). The third developer beta arrived on July 10. The macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 4 was launched on July 23. Developer beta 5 was launched on August 5. Developer beta 6 was launched on August 12. Developer beta 7 on August 20, and developer beta 8 on August 28. The RC last model of the macOS 15 developer beta arrived on September 9.
On July 29, Apple began work on the macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta and launched some Apple Intelligence options. This separate beta improvement was needed as a result of the preliminary launch of macOS 15 Sequoia wouldn’t embody the AI options. On August 12, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 2. Beta 3 of macOS Sequoia 15.1 got here on August 28. And the fourth model of macOS Sequoia 15.1 got here on September 17. This can be a developer beta and can solely run on M-series Macs. A report by 9to5Mac states that Apple Intelligence is not going to run if the 15.1 beta is operating on an exterior drive. It’s not recognized if this situation will stay when Apple formally releases 15.1.
Newest public beta
- macOS 15.1 launch candidate
Operating alongside the developer beta is the macOS Sequoia 15 public beta. A public beta of macOS 15.1 with Apple Intelligence was launched on September 19, 2024.
Apple launched the macOS Sequoia public beta on July 15, 2024 (in 2023 Apple Apple launched the primary public beta of macOS 14 on July 12). The second replace to the pubic beta got here on July 23, 2024, and the third on August 6. The Sequoia public beta 5 was launched on August 20, 2024. Apple launched the Sequoia public beta 6 on August 28, 2024. The ultimate launch candidate arrived on September 9.
The primary public beta of macOS Sequoia 15.1 was launched on September 19, 2024.
macOS Sequoia: All the brand new options
Many new options arrived in macOS 14 Sonoma in 2023 together with modifications to Widgets, a brand new Recreation Mode, the flexibility to simply flip net pages into net apps, and enjoyable additions to video conferencing apps. Rumors recommended that there wouldn’t be many new options in macOS 15, with AI-related enhancements in iOS 18 taking many of the improvement focus. Nonetheless, some AI enhancements are coming alongside iPhone mirroring in your Mac show, a brand new Presenter Preview for video conferencing apps, and Recreation Porting Toolkit 2 for porting video games between Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Apple has introduced quite a few new options for the replace which we’ll describe beneath. Not all the brand new options will probably be out there at launch although. Some new options will come “later this yr” in a subsequent software program replace.
iPhone mirroring
iPhone mirroring is a brand new improvement of Continuity. Continuity is a function that has existed on Macs for a lot of years which means you should utilize your Mac along with different units in a seamless method, making reduce and paste, display sharing and mouse and keyboard sharing attainable throughout units.
With the brand new potential to reflect an iPhone on a Mac’s show, it will likely be attainable for a Mac to hook up with an iPhone and show the iPhone display on the Mac’s show. This fashion a consumer will have the ability to management their iPhone from their Mac, utilizing the keyboard and mouse to work together. Drag and drop between the Mac and iPhone may even be attainable. Customers also can mirror the iPhone in a window on the Mac.
It should even be attainable to launch their iPhone apps through their Mac. Any audio from the iPhone will play by the Mac’s audio system.
Throughout any manipulation of the iPhone through the Mac, the iPhone will stay locked so no one can see what’s being carried out. It should even be attainable to make use of the cellphone usually whereas it’s related to the Mac.
Customers may even have the ability to obtain iPhone notifications on a Mac. They are going to seem alongside Mac notifications. These may be interacted with even when the iPhone isn’t close by. Click on on a notification and be taken into the app in your iPhone through the Mac’s show.
Learn: How iPhone Mirroring permits you to entry your iPhone in your Mac in macOS Sequoia
Apple
Window Tiling
macOS Sequoia will convey a brand new, neater, option to prepare home windows. When a consumer drags a window to the sting of the display it’ll present a spot on the desktop which you could slot that window into. This may make it straightforward to rapidly prepare tiles side-by-side in order that extra apps are in view.
There will probably be new keyboard and menu shortcuts to assist customers manage tiles even quicker.
Learn: Why you don’t need to ditch your tiling window supervisor simply but
Apple
Video conferencing
A brand new presenter preview will present customers what they’re about to share earlier than they share it. This function will work with Zoom and different apps, in addition to FaceTime.
It should even be attainable to use built-in backgrounds with shade gradients and wallpapers. Customers may even have the ability to add their images. These Background replacements may be utilized in varied video calling apps, even mid-call.
Apple
Safari 18
Safari 18 will embody a number of new options together with a brand new Highlights function which can assist customers uncover info. The Reader function can be getting a redesign to reduce distractions if you end up studying an article. Becoming a member of the extra streamlined model of the article that may already be accessed, customers will see a abstract and a desk of contents for longer articles.
If there’s a video on the web page it will likely be positioned entrance and heart and the consumer can have entry to playback controls and picture-in-picture playback may even be attainable.
Different rumored options included a “Net Eraser,” and a brand new web page controls menu. An replace in 2025 can be mentioned to be bringing an AI enhancement to Visible Lookup not simply in Safari, however all through the OS, though we’re awaiting affirmation.
Learn: Learn how to use Distraction Management to take away advertisements and This new Safari function permits you to snap away annoying advertisements.
Apple
New Passwords app
Apple is bringing the iCloud Keychain into the twenty first century. Apple says the brand new Passwords app will make it even simpler to entry passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and different credentials multi function place. It should seamlessly syncs between each Apple units and Home windows with the iCloud for Home windows app.
Apple
Calculator
It had been rumored that Apple is engaged on a brand new Calculator app. It could be redesigned to resemble the iOS model, with new options together with a historical past tape, revamped conversions, and a resizable window. Apple did reveal that it will likely be attainable to see earlier calculations with a historical past function.
Calendar and Reminders
The Calendar app will permit customers to handle Reminders. Customers will have the ability to view occasions and duties from Reminders within the Calendar. An up to date Month View may even be out there and each apps will see UI modifications.
Different new options
Gaming enhancements
In 2023 Apple launched the Recreation Porting Toolkit to assist builders convey their video games to Apple units quicker than ever. Now Recreation Porting Toolkit 2 provides the most-requested capabilities from sport builders.
As well as, enhancements to Recreation Mode on the Mac will unlock smoother body charges, and superior energy administration options enhance efficiency throughout the Mac lineup.
Apple proudly shared particulars of a number of gaming titles that will probably be coming to the Mac, together with:
- Murderer’s Creed Shadows
- Management Final Version
- Frostpunk 2
- Palworld
- RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard
- RESIDENT EVIL 2
- RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis
- Sniper Elite 4,
- Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
- World of Warcraft: The Warfare Inside (coming later this yr).
- Wuthering Waves
Apple famous that they’re “leveraging highly effective software program applied sciences like MetalFX Upscaling to speed up efficiency and ship high-quality visuals throughout the Mac lineup” and that they’re “benefiting from the newest M3 household of chips to ship breathtaking visuals with ray tracing.”
Personalised Spatial Audio will end in considerably lowered audio latency with AirPods Professional (2nd era).
Apple Intelligence options
A number of stories over the previous few months have indicated that Apple is doing lots of work in direction of AI, and that generative AI (utilizing AI to create content material) can have a giant position in macOS. These stories weren’t flawed.
Apple’s new private intelligence system is coming to Mac, iPhone, and iPad with macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. Apple Intelligence will solely be supported by Macs with an M-series chip although, so Intel Macs is not going to supply these new options.
Learn: Apple Intelligence FAQ: What it’s, what it does, and while you’ll get it
Writing
Apple Intelligence will assist customers improve their writing and communications. Writing Instruments are inbuilt systemwide that can supply to rewrite, proofread, and summarize textual content in writing-focused apps comparable to Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.
Apple
Photos
New picture capabilities may even come to M-series Macs. In Picture Playground, customers will have the ability to create photographs in three kinds: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch.
Photographs
A brand new Reminiscences in Photographs function will create a video from images and movies primarily based on an outline offered by the consumer. Apple Intelligence will select the images and movies, develop a storyline primarily based on the images, and prepare them right into a film.
As well as, a brand new Clear Up software will determine and take away undesirable objects from the background of a photograph.
Siri
Siri can be getting some AI updates and ChatGPT is built-in into Siri. As a result of some queries will probably be dealt with off-device Apple is introducing Personal Cloud Compute in order that when knowledge is shipped to server-based fashions for processing it’s not saved or made accessible to Apple
One of many easiest modifications to Siri is that it will likely be simpler to kind to Siri somewhat than having to talk to the on-device assistant. Apple might have lastly twigged that individuals don’t at all times need to speak to their telephones.
Subsequent model of macOS
Since Apple stopped utilizing the names of jungle cats with macOS 10.9 Mavericks, it’s used California locations to determine its annual OS updates. The final a number of years have been Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Massive Sur, and Catalina. Apple has trademarked a number of different place names, together with Condor, Mammoth, Redwood, and Sequoia. But it surely’s anybody guess which Californian location macOS 16 will probably be named after.
However what subsequent by way of software program? Anticipate much more Apple Intelligence options to return within the late 2025 replace to macOS and anticipate that iOS, iPadOS and macOS will probably be nearer than ever.
Within the latest previous, the discharge has come a number of weeks after the new model of iOS ships. Listed here are the discharge dates for the earlier 5 variations of macOS:
- macOS 15 Sequoia: September 16, 2024
- macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023
- macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022
- macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021
- macOS 11 Massive Sur: November 12, 2020
- macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019
- macOS 10.14 Mojave: September 24, 2018