The Apple macOS Blog

Complete history of macOS

(and where to download each version)

Hello, Maria here again — and today I'm taking a closer look at the history of our beloved macOS.This is the right place if you're curious about the evolution of the operating system that powers your Mac.Now follow me for a trip down memory lane where we'll look at the versions of Mac OS that brought us to where we are today...Where available I will also provide you direct download links from archives (to run on your vintage Apple hardware or in an emulator) or the Apple servers themselves (when running on your real day-to-day Mac) to each of these macOS versions. Let's go!

All the major versions

1. Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah
2. Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
3. Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
4. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
5. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
6. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
7. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
8. Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
9. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
10. OS X 10.9 Mavericks
11. OS X 10.10 Yosemite
12. OS X 10.11 El Capitan
13. macOS 10.12 Sierra
14. macOS 10.13 High Sierra
15. macOS 10.14 Mojave
16. macOS 10.15 Catalina
17. macOS 11 Big Sur
18. macOS 12 Monterey
19. macOS 13 Ventura
20. macOS 14 Sonoma
21. macOS 15 Sequoia

Mac OS X (10.0): Cheetah

Cheetah was the first version of Apple's "modern" operating system.

Release Date: March 24, 2001.

Mac OS X 10.0, internally known as Cheetah, was Apple's first version of Mac OS X and a long line of cool cats and kittens with big cat inspired codenames. This version was a huge change from the previous versions of Mac OS. It's new Aqua interface brought a fresh, colorful look to the Mac and featured rounded buttons combined with a semi-transparent design.This version of Mac also introduced The Dock as a new way to manage apps and windows and "Quartz" graphics technology helped with the system's visuals. Although Cheetah was praised for being visually appealing, it was criticized for being slow, at times buggy and lacking features. These teething issues were understandable as Apple made huge architectural changes and had laid the groundwork for future improvements.

Mac OS X Cheetah Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.1): Puma

Puma was Apple's second feline themed operating systems.

Release Date: September 25, 2001.

In the Puma release Apple improved many of Cheetah's performance issues. Puma was faster and smoother, and it fixed many bugs that made Cheetah frustrating for many users. Many people consider Puma as more about bugfixes than new features but Puma did introduce the ability to burn CDs and DVDs directly from Finder. Printer and camera support was also improved. Puma also had updates and imporovements to the network stack which made internet connections faster and more reliable.

Mac OS X Puma Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.2): Jaguar

Afraid to say I once had a blouse with this animal pattern...

Release Date: August 24, 2002.

Jaguar was a major update with Apple adding many new features to macOS. The most important was Quartz Extreme which used the graphics card to make animations and visuals run much smoother. Jaguar is also the first version of macOS to include iChat which was Apple's own instant messaging app. This version of iChat integrated with AOL Instant Messenger to connect with friends. Address Book was also added as a standalone app. Jaguar also made macOS more user friendly to people with disabilities by including Universal Access tools. Jaguar was also the first Mac OS X release to publicly use its code name in marketing and advertisements. As you can see by the packaging Apple really doubled down on the big cat theming with this release.

Mac OS X Jaguar Direct download: Internet archive disk 1 disk 2 - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.3): Panther

Apple showing restraint with the animal pattern this time.

Release Date: October 24, 2003.

Panther brought user interface and security improvements. With Panther the Mac became simpler to use and more secure. Exposé gave us a quick way to see all open windows at once and really helped with multitasking. FileVault was introduced to keep the user home directory safe with encryption, and Safari replaced the much maligned Internet Explorer as Mac's default browser. Panther once again improved networking and added Fast User Switching for the first time. Fast user switching let multiple user accounts stay logged in at the same time and switch between their accounts without having to log out.

Mac OS X Panther Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.4): Tiger

The back of the Tiger retail box.

Release Date: April 29, 2005.

Tiger was packed with powerful new features, including Spotlight a fast search tool that made finding files, emails and other data on your Mac easy. Dashboard brought widgets to the Mac offering quick access to weather, stock prices and calculators. Automator allowed users to automate repetitive tasks with simple workflows. Tiger also brought video conferencing support to iChat and support for 64-bit processing making it able to handle more demanding applications. OS X Tiger was one of the most popular versions of Mac OS.

Mac OS X Tiger Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.5): Leopard

A tidy Mac OS X Leopard desktop.

Release Date: October 26, 2007.

Leopard introduced over 300 features including Time Machine - Apple's own built-in backup system that allows you to recover deleted files or restore your system to previous versions. Spaces allows the creation of multiple desktops. The Dock was redesigned, and Stacks made it easier to organize files on your desktop. Leopard was also the first version to fully support Intel-based Macs which opened up new possibilities for performance and compatibility; effectively it was formally the beginning of the end for PowerPC Macs.

Mac OS X Leopard Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk.

Mac OS X (10.6): Snow Leopard

Take note of the Leopard's facial expression — she knows she's the best.

Release Date: August 28, 2009.

Snow Leopard was in some ways similar to Puma in that it didn't focus on adding new features — instead it refined what was already there. It improved performance and used less memory making the system faster and more efficient. Snow Leopard was also the first macOS to be fully 64-bit, which meant it could handle more powerful applications and made the operating system more stable. This version of Mac OS X became known for its reliability and smooth performance and it was a favorite amongst the Mac community; many still consider it the greatest Mac OS of all time. This is also the first version of Mac OS X that had iBoostUp!

_ Mac OS X Snow Leopard Direct download: Internet archive - this is not a direct download from Apple so read the internet archive's disclaimer and use at your own risk. _

Mac OS X (10.7): Lion

King of the jungle, yet the chrome typeface effect has not aged well.

Release Date: July 20, 2011.

Lion brought a lot of features from iOS to the Mac like Launchpad which displayed all apps in a grid similar to that of an iPhone or iPad. Then there was Mission Control which combined Exposé (introduced in Panther) and Spaces (introduced in Leopard) — Mission Control gave users an overview of all open windows and desktops. Auto Save and Versions were new features for managing documents and saving work automatically. It also allowed us to go back to previous versions of files and documents. AirDrop made sharing files between Macs and iPhones easy without needing cables or internet.

OS X (10.8): Mountain Lion

The Mac OS X Mountain Lion desktop.

Release Date: July 25, 2012.

Mountain Lion continued the trend of integrating iOS features into the Mac desktop. Notification Center was added to help manage alerts — similar to how it works on iPhones and Pads. Apple also improved iCloud integration by making it easier to sync data between your Apple devices. Dictation allowed users to type with their voice. Gatekeeper was added to address the unfortunate increase in adware and malware — Gatekeeper allows you to limit app downloads to trusted sources like the App Store and Apple verified developers.

Mac OS X Mountain Lion Direct download: Directly from Apple - this is a safe, trusted direct download from Apple.

OS X (10.9): Mavericks

Mavericks showing Launchpad.

Release Date: October 22, 2013.

Mavericks focused on efficiency, introducing App Nap, which paused background apps to save power. Finder Tabs allowed multiple file locations to be open in one window, helping with organization, while Tags made it easy to categorize and find files. Mavericks also improved support for multiple displays, making it more versatile for users with morethan one monitor. This version was the first version to drop the big cat themed name and the first free macOS upgrade — Mac users had to purchase all previous OS updates directly from Apple.

Apple direct download is not available for Mavericks. We prefer not to link to unofficial sources of recent-ish macOS installers so have decided to skip the Mavericks direct download link.

OS X (10.10): Yosemite

Release Date: October 16, 2014.

Yosemite introduced a fresh, clean look inspired by iOS 7. It featured flatter icons and translucent effects. Handoff was a new feature that allowed users to start tasks on one Apple device and continue on another, like picking up an email on a Mac that started on an iPhone. iCloud Drive was added to improve cloud storage. This made accessing files easier across your Apple devices. Furthering the theme of multi-device Apple ecosystem integration, Continuity allowed phone calls and SMS texts to be made and received on the Mac when an iPhone was nearby.

Apple direct download is not available for Yosemite. We prefer not to link to unofficial sources of recent-ish macOS installers so have decided to skip the Yosemite direct download link.

OS X (10.11): El Capitan

El Capitan showing system preferences.

Release Date: September 30, 2015.

El Capitan, lovingly referred to El Cap in the Mac community, focused on making macOS even faster and more reliable. Apple added Split View which allowed two apps to run side-by-side in full screen mode. The Notes app was revamped with new features like checklists, images, and web links. Once again the Metal APIs were optimized and improved the performance of games and graphics-intensive apps. El Capitan was a more refined, polished version of Yosemite. This update focused mostly on stability and usability instead of many new features.

An Apple App Store download of El Capitan is available here.

Imporant to know: many modern apps have dropped support for older versions of macOS. Yet even the October 2024 version of iBoostUp supports macOS El Capitan. No other modern, updated system utility is as committed to supporting your older Mac hardware as iBoostUp!

macOS (10.12): Sierra

The macOS Sierra desktop.

Release Date: September 20, 2016.

Sierra was Apple's first foray into an 'AI enabled OS' and introduced Siri to the Mac, allowing users to search the web, send messages, and more using voice commands. Auto Unlock let users unlock their Mac with an Apple Watch, and Universal Clipboard made it easy to copy and paste content between devices. Apple Pay for the web made online shopping more secure, and Optimized Storage helped users manage space by storing older files in iCloud.

An Apple App Store download of Sierra is available here.

Note: many modern apps have dropped support for older versions of macOS but not us. We have an appreciation for Apple harware of a certain age, so even the October 2024 version of iBoostUp supports macOS Sierra.

macOS (10.13): High Sierra

The macOS High Sierra desktop.

Release Date: September 25, 2017.

High Sierra improved the core functionality of macOS with the Apple File System (APFS), which is a modern file system that made file operations faster and more secure. HEVC support allowed for better quality video with smaller file sizes and Metal 2 improved graphical performance. High Sierra also included an enhanced Photos.app which featured more editing tools. Also included was an improved Safari with features like autoplay blocking and tracking prevention.

An Apple App Store download of High Sierra is available here.

macOS (10.14): Mojave

macOS Mojave's enhanced photo view in Finder.

Release Date: September 24, 2018.

Mojave introduced Dark Mode that was easier on your eyes in low light. Dynamic Desktop which changed the wallpaper throughout the day. Stacks was now added to the desktop giving you the option to automatically group files. Security features were enhanced with prompts shown when apps tried to access sensitive data. Continuity Camera was also a new feature. It allowed you to take a photo on your iPhone and have it instantly appear on your Mac.

An Apple App Store download of Mojave is available here.

macOS (10.15): Catalina

macOS Catalina's Apple TV app playing a kid's film.

Release Date: October 7, 2019.

Catalina replaced iTunes with separate apps for Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. It also totally removed support for 32-bit apps which caused some older apps to stop working. Sidecar was added which allowed use of an iPad as a secondary display. Screen Time was brought to macOS which let users track their app usage, similar to iOS. Enhanced security features included an updated Gatekeeper which ensures all apps were checked by Apple before running on the system.

An Apple App Store download of Catalina is available here.

macOS (11): Big Sur

macOS Big Sur showing a busy desktop doing important work.

Release Date: November 12, 2020.

Big Sur was a complete redesign and had new icons, a sleeker redesigned Dock and buttery smooth animations throughout the OS. Big Sur was optimized for Apple's new "Apple Silicon" M1 ARM chips. These chips brought major improvements in speed plus battery and thermal efficiency. Control Center was brought over from iOS, giving you easy access to settings like Wi-Fi and display brightness. Safari was also enahanced and incldued new privacy features like the Privacy Report which showed how many trackers and cookies were blocked on a page you were viewing.

An Apple App Store download of Big Sir is available here.

macOS (12): Monterey

macOS Monterey contained diverse quality of life improvements to many included apps.

Release Date: October 25, 2021.

macOS Monterey introduced Universal Control which allowed control of multiple Apple devices using one keyboard and mouse. The Shortcuts feature allowed you to automate repetitive or annoying tasks across macOS. SharePlay let's you consume media like movies or music while sharing yout Mac screen with friends over FaceTime. AirPlay to Mac was also added which made it easy to cast content from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac. Safari had quality of life improvements like Tab Groups for organizing your open tabs.

An Apple App Store download of Monterey is available here. Alternatively, an Apple direct download is available for Monterey here — running this pkg file will simply extract "Install macOS Monterey.app" to your Applications folder.

macOS (13): Ventura

macOS Ventura featuring some delicious improvements.

Release Date: October 24, 2022.

Ventura introduced Stage Manager, a new way to organize apps and windows on the desktop for easier multitasking. Safari added Shared Tab Groups for easier collaboration, and added support for Passkeys which are a supposedly secure alternative to passwords for logging into websites.

An Apple App Store download of Ventura is available here. Alternatively, an Apple direct download is available for Ventura here — running this pkg file will simply extract "Install macOS Ventura.app" to your Applications folder.

macOS (14): Sonoma

macOS Sonoma adopts even more smartphone type functionality.

Release Date: September 26, 2023.

Sonoma has now allowed the use of desktop widgets. A Game Mode was added which is similar to the game mode feature found on many modern smartphones; it optimizes gaming performance by prioritizing processor and memory resources for games, allowing them to run at higher framerates at the expense of battery life. Presenter Overlay was also added to make it easier to stay on-screen during video calls. Safari was again enhanced with support for web apps and improved password management.

An Apple App Store download of Sonoma is available here. Alternatively, an Apple direct download is available for Sonoma here — running this pkg file will simply extract "Install macOS Sonoma.app" to your Applications folder.

macOS (15): Sequoia

macOS Sequioa.

Release Date: September 16, 2024.

macOS Sequoia is likely the last version of macOS that will support installation on Intel based machines. It has new features like Apple Intelligence which is a suite of AI tools available on M-series Macs that helps you with rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text. Also included is iPhone Mirroring which lets you control your iPhone directly from your Mac. Safari's Highlights is another AI enabled feature that generates quick summaries of the page you are viewing. Desktop management is improved with Window Tiling which makes 3rd party apps like Rectangle redundant for most users. Messages now allows scheduling of messages and includes new reactions. Also on the AI front, Notes now allows live audio transcription and math-solving (although our resident math-nerd Charlie might disagree). Similarly to iOS, the macOS Maps app finally has topographic maps for exploring US. national parks, making the Mac even more useful for hikers like me. Hopefully they add topo maps for Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia soon!

The Apple App Store link to Sequoia is here. Alternatively, an Apple direct download is available here — running this pkg file will simply extract "Install macOS Sequoia.app" to your Applications folder.

Each version of macOS has built atop the last; I love the fact that Apple constantly adds features that make your Mac more powerful, user-friendly, and secure.If you prefer not to concern yourself with the App Store, click the Apple direct download links I've included or read Charlie's article about how to download the latest, or any version of macOS.

It's exciting to see how far we've already come and to wonder about what might be coming next!

Until next time,
❤️ Maria