macOS Catalina facts for kids

macOS Catalina

Version of the macOS operating system
Screenshot of the macOS Catalina desktop in dark mode
Developer	Apple Inc.
OS family	Macintosh Unix
Source model	Closed, with open source components
General availability	October 7, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-10-07)
Latest release	10.15.7 Security Update 2022-005 (19H2026)  (July 20, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-07-20))
Repository	Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Update method	Software Update
Platforms	x86-64
Kernel type	Hybrid (XNU)
License	APSL and Apple EULA
Preceded by	macOS Mojave
Succeeded by	macOS Big Sur
Tagline	The power of Mac. Taken further.
Support status
Unsupported as of November 30, 2022. Finder is still able to download driver updates to sync to newer devices.

macOS Catalina (version 10.15) was a big update for macOS. This is the computer program that runs on Apple's Macintosh computers. It came after macOS Mojave. Apple first showed it off on June 3, 2019, and released it on October 7, 2019.

Catalina was special because it only worked with programs made for 64-bit computers. It also introduced a new safety feature called Activation Lock. It was the last macOS version to be numbered 10. The next one, Big Sur, was version 11.

The operating system is named after Santa Catalina Island. This island is located off the coast of southern California. macOS Catalina was the last version to support some older MacBook Pro models.

Mac Computers That Can Run Catalina

All standard Mac computers that could run macOS Mojave also supported macOS Catalina. However, some older Mac Pro models from 2010 to 2012 were no longer supported. Catalina needed at least 4 GB of computer memory to run.

Supported Mac Models

• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac Mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

It was also possible to install Catalina on some older Macs. These computers were not officially supported by Apple. This required using a special tool to change the installation file.

New Features and Changes

macOS Catalina brought many new features and important changes. These updates aimed to make Macs easier to use and more secure.

System Updates

Catalyst for Apps

Catalyst is a special tool for app developers. It lets them create apps that work on Macs, iOS (for iPhones), and iPadOS (for iPads). This means an app can be built once and run on different Apple devices. Apple showed off apps like Jira and Twitter using Catalyst.

System Extensions

System extensions are a new way for apps to add features to your Mac. They are safer than older methods because they run separately from the main computer system. There are three types: Network, Endpoint Security, and Driver Extensions. Catalina was the last macOS version to support older system extensions.

Gatekeeper Security

Gatekeeper is a security feature that helps keep your Mac safe. For apps to run on macOS Catalina, Apple had to check and approve them. This process is called "notarization." It makes sure apps are safe before you open them.

Activation Lock for Macs

Activation Lock is a security feature that helps protect your Mac if it's lost or stolen. It prevents anyone from using or erasing your device without your permission. This feature works on Macs that have a special Apple T2 security chip.

Dedicated System Volume

In Catalina, the main part of the operating system runs on its own special space. This space is "read-only," meaning you can't accidentally change or delete important system files. This helps keep your Mac stable and secure.

Voice Control

Voice Control lets you use your voice to control your Mac. You can give detailed commands to open apps, click buttons, and navigate your computer. It uses your Mac's own processing power to understand your commands better.

Sidecar Feature

Sidecar lets you use an iPad as a second screen for your Mac. You can connect it wirelessly. If you have an Apple Pencil, you can also use your iPad like a drawing tablet for your Mac. Sidecar works with newer Macs and iPads that support Apple Pencil.

Game Controller Support

macOS Catalina added official support for popular game controllers. You could connect PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 and Xbox One controllers to your Mac. This made gaming on a Mac much easier and more fun.

Time Machine Changes

Time Machine is the backup software on your Mac. Catalina made some changes to how it saves backups, especially for network drives. These changes were not compatible with older macOS versions.

Application Updates

iTunes Replaced

In macOS Catalina, the iTunes app was split into several new apps. These included Music, Podcasts, TV, and Books. Managing your iPhone or iPad was moved to the Finder app. The TV app on Mac also supported high-quality video and sound features.

Find My App

The separate "Find My Mac" and "Find My Friends" apps were combined. They became one app called Find My. This app helps you locate your Apple devices and friends in one place.

Reminders App Improved

The Reminders app got a new look and new features. You could add attachments to your reminders. Siri could also help you set reminders more smartly, guessing when you might need them.

Voice Memos Update

The Voice Memos app, which lets you record audio, was updated to version 2.1. It had been brought to the Mac in the previous macOS version, Mojave.

Removed or Changed Parts

macOS Catalina only supported 64-bit applications. This meant that older 32-bit applications would no longer work. Apple also removed all 32-bit-only apps from the Mac App Store.

Z shell (called "zsh") became the main command-line shell in Catalina. It replaced Bash, which had been the default since 2003. Bash and other shells were still available.

The Dashboard feature, which showed small widgets, was removed in macOS Catalina. The ability to add backgrounds in Photo Booth was also removed. The command-line GNU Emacs app was no longer included.

Older versions of scripting languages like Perl, Python 2.7, and Ruby were still included for compatibility. However, future macOS versions might not include them by default.

Older AirDrop for connecting with very old Macs was also removed.

Security Information

macOS Catalina had a security issue that was later fixed. This issue could have allowed a special kind of harmful software to be installed on a Mac. This problem was reported to Apple in August 2021. Apple released an update for Catalina in September to fix it. However, the fix had already been available for newer macOS versions much earlier. Some experts criticized Apple for not fixing important security problems in older versions sooner. They also wanted Apple to be clearer about which security updates older versions received. Newer macOS versions always get all the latest security updates.

Release History

This table shows the different updates that were released for macOS Catalina. Each update brought bug fixes and security improvements.

Version	Build	Date	Darwin version	Release Notes	Standalone download
10.15	19A583	October 7, 2019	19.0.0	Original Software Update release Security content
	19A602	October 15, 2019		Supplemental update
	19A603	October 21, 2019		Revised Supplemental update
10.15.1	19B88	October 29, 2019	19.0.0 xnu-6153.41.3~29	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.1 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.1 Update
10.15.2	19C57	December 10, 2019	19.2.0 xnu-6153.61.1~20	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.2 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.2 Update macOS 10.15.2 Combo Update
	19C58
10.15.3	19D76	January 28, 2020	19.3.0 xnu-6153.81.5~1	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.3 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.3 Update macOS 10.15.3 Combo Update
10.15.4	19E266	March 24, 2020	19.4.0 xnu-6153.101.6~15	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.4 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.4 Update macOS 10.15.4 Combo Update
	19E287	April 8, 2020		Supplemental update	macOS 10.15.4 Supplemental Update
10.15.5	19F96	May 26, 2020	19.5.0 xnu-6153.121.1~7	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.5 Update macOS 10.15.5 Combo Update
	19F101	June 1, 2020	19.5.0 xnu-6153.121.2~2	Supplemental update Security content	macOS 10.15.5 Supplemental Update
10.15.6	19G73	July 15, 2020	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.1~9 Jul 5 00:43:10 PDT 2020	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.6 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.6 Update macOS 10.15.6 Combo Update
	19G2021	August 12, 2020	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.1~1 Jun 18 20:49:00 PDT 2020	Supplemental update	macOS 10.15.6 Supplemental Update
10.15.7	19H2	September 24, 2020	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.2~1 Mon Aug 31 22:12:52 PDT 2020	About the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Update Security content	macOS 10.15.7 Update macOS 10.15.7 Combo Update
	19H4	October 27, 2020
	19H15	November 5, 2020	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.2.2~1 Thu Oct 29 22:56:45 PDT 2020	Supplemental update Security content	macOS 10.15.7 Supplemental Update macOS 10.15.7 Supplemental Update (Combo)
	19H114	December 14, 2020	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.10~1 Tue Nov 10 00:10:30 PST 2020	About the security content of Security Update 2020-001	Security Update 2020-001 (Catalina)
	19H512	February 1, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.16~1 Tue Jan 12 22:13:05 PST 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-001	Security Update 2021-001 (Catalina)
	19H524	February 9, 2021		Supplemental Update Security content	macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update 2
	19H1030	April 26, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.28.1~1 Mon Apr 12 20:57:45 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-002	Security Update 2021-002 (Catalina)
	19H1217	May 24, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.33~1 Thu May 6 00:48:39 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-003	Security Update 2021-003 (Catalina)
	19H1323	July 21, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.35~1 Thu Jun 22 19:49:55 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-004	Security Update 2021-004 (Catalina)
	19H1417	September 13, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.40~1 Tue Aug 24 20:28:00 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-005	Security Update 2021-005 (Catalina)
	19H1419	September 23, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.40.1~1 Thu Sep 16 20:58:47 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-006	Security Update 2021-006 (Catalina)
	19H1519	October 25, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.43~1 Tue Oct 12 18:34:05 PDT 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-007	Security Update 2021-007 (Catalina)
	19H1615	December 13, 2021	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.50~1 Sun Nov 14 19:58:51 PST 2021	About the security content of Security Update 2021-008	Security Update 2021-008 (Catalina)
	19H1713	January 26, 2022	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.51~3 Thu Jan 13 01:26:33 PST 2022	About the security content of Security Update 2022-001	Security Update 2022-001 (Catalina)
	19H1715	February 14, 2022		Security Update 2022-002	Security Update 2022-002 (Catalina)
	19H1824	March 14, 2022	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.59~1 Tue Feb 15 21:39:11 PST 2022	About the security content of Security Update 2022-003	Security Update 2022-003 (Catalina)
	19H1922	May 16, 2022	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.62~1 Mon Apr 18 21:50:40 PDT 2022	About the security content of Security Update 2022-004	Security Update 2022-004 (Catalina)
	19H2026	July 20, 2022	19.6.0 xnu-6153.141.66~1 Tue Jun 21 21:18:39 PDT 2022	About the security content of Security Update 2022-005	Security Update 2022-005 (Catalina)

See also

In Spanish: MacOS Catalina para niños