Some people are very tech-savvy and want to own everything latest on the market. Just like people update or change their phones, they also want to have the latest version of everything they own, be it a smartwatch, laptop, earphones, or even operating systems.
An average Mac user does not care about the operating system he/she is running if it is working just fine. But sometimes, there may arise a problem, and to resolve it, knowing the macOS version becomes mandatory. To allow you to do so is the purpose behind this blog.
There are several reasons why you may need to know the macOS version, such as:
- Problems in installing an application,
- Non-compatibility with a new feature, or
- Troubleshooting purposes.
For some, it is important to know the version so that they can upgrade it to the latest one. Whatever is your reason for ascertaining the macOS version running on your Mac, this is where we’ll tell you how to do it.
How to Check the macOS Version Installed On Your Mac?
Follow the steps below to check the macOS version installed on your Mac:
- Step 1 – In the top-left corner of the screen, go to the Apple menu by clicking the Apple icon.
- Step 2 – Click on “About This Mac.”
- Step 3 – An Overview window will appear on your screen, showing the macOS release and version running on your device.
You can also see the build number by clicking on the version number, but it is not useful for the average users. If you have an older version of macOS, it may be called “OS X” instead of just “OS.” You may know about the Mac model and when it was built, the Mac serial number, the system software version, etc.
How to Update macOS Software?
If you are using an older version of macOS, you must update your system. Why? Because it lets you enjoy new features and better security. You can install the same from the Mac App Store. Your hardware must be supported by Apple for installing and updating it. You can update macOS in the following manner:
- Choose the Apple menu, then click on “System Preferences” and go to Software Update. Alternatively, you can also go to the Apple menu, click on ‘About This Mac,” and click on the “Software Update” button.
- Both of these steps will open the Mac App Store.
- If there are any updates available, they will appear next to the App store. Click on them to install the same.
You are advised to back up your system before installing any update so that you can restore to the previous situation in case things go south.
The Latest MacOS
From time-to-time, Apple releases a new version of its mobile OS to help its customer navigate through the changing technologies and their corresponding challenges without any problem. Here is the recent history of all the OSs released by Apple:
- macOS Big Sur 11.2.1
- macOS Catalina 10.15.7
- macOS Mojave 10.14.6
- macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
- macOS Sierra 10.12.6
- OS X EI Capitan 10.11.6
- OS X Yosemite 10.10.5
- OS X Mavericks 10.9.5
- OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5
- OS X Lion 10.7.5
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8
- Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8
- Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11
- Mac OS X panther 10.3.9
- Mac OS X Jaguar 10.2.8
- Mac OS X Puma 10.1.5
- Mac OS X Cheetah 10.0.4
Why Should You Update Your MacOS Regularly?
You may not care about the version of the macOS your device is running, but it is important that you update it regularly. It is advised due to several reasons, some of which are mentioned here:
- App compatibility.
- Feature Compatibility.
- Accessory Compatibility.
- Troubleshooting certain issues.
- Installation, updation, and reinstallation of macOS.
You can update the macOS from the Mac App Store and get the software updates for the same from the Software Update option.
Conclusion
This article must have helped you know how to check the macOS version for your Mac system. Before updating your macOS to the latest version, thoroughly check the updates for the features, bug fixes, enhancements, etc. that it provides. Whether you must go for the update or not is totally up to you.