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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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How It Works • Operating Systems

MacOS version history

MacOS version history is the sequence of major Apple desktop operating system releases from the early Mac OS X era through the current macOS releases.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

MacOS version history tracks the major Apple desktop operating system releases from the early Mac OS X era through current macOS. Branding changed from Mac OS X to OS X to macOS, while version numbering continued.

Version naming and branding

Apple’s desktop OS launched as Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah in 2001. It was later rebranded to OS X (Mountain Lion through El Capitan) and then to macOS starting with Sierra in 2016. The version line moved from 10.x to 11 with Big Sur, and currently stands at macOS 26 Tahoe.

Major macOS releases in order

The sequence runs from Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah through 10.15 Catalina, then macOS 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, and finally 26 Tahoe (the latest major release). Each version introduced new features and compatibility updates.

How to check your macOS version

Apple advises opening the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac. The window displays the macOS name and version number. Clicking the version number can also reveal the build number, helpful for troubleshooting and software compatibility.

In short

  • Branding changed from Mac OS X to OS X to macOS.
  • Current latest version is macOS 26 Tahoe.
  • First consumer release was Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah in 2001.
  • Check version via About This Mac in the Apple menu.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers use the same Apple naming and version system as other markets; the topic is mainly relevant for Mac users in Canada who need compatibility, update, and support information.

Quick questions

What is the latest macOS version?
The latest major macOS version is macOS 26 Tahoe, with update 26.5.1 released June 1, 2026.
How to check macOS version on Mac?
From the Apple menu (upper-left corner), choose About This Mac. The window shows the macOS name and version number.
What are all macOS versions in order?
Major releases: Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah through 10.15 Catalina, then macOS 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, and 26 Tahoe.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_version_history
    Supports: Major version sequence, current major version, and release table for macOS history.
  2. Setapp — https://setapp.com/how-to/full-list-of-all-macos-versions
    Supports: States macOS 26 Tahoe is the latest version and gives a timeline overview.
  3. Macworld — https://www.macworld.com/article/672681/list-of-all-macos-versions-including-the-latest-macos.html
    Supports: Identifies macOS Tahoe as the latest version and macOS 10.15 as Catalina.
  4. Nektony — https://nektony.com/reviews/macos-versions-in-order
    Supports: Lists macOS versions in chronological order and explains how to check the installed version.
  5. Apple Support — https://support.apple.com/en-us/109033
    Supports: Official instructions for checking the installed macOS version using About This Mac.
  6. endoflife.date — https://endoflife.date/macos
    Supports: Current latest major version and latest update for macOS 26, plus Catalina end-of-life details.