macOS Sequoia facts for kids

macOS Sequoia

Version of the macOS operating system
Screenshot of macOS Sequoia
Developer	Apple
OS family	Mac Unix, based on Darwin (BSD)
Source model	Closed, with open source components
Initial release	September 16, 2024; 11 months ago (2024-09-16)
Latest release	15.6  (July 29, 2025; 29 days ago (2025-07-29))
Latest preview	15.7 RC  (August 5, 2025; 22 days ago (2025-08-05))
Repository	Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Update method	Apple Software Update
Platforms	x86-64 (Intel-based) ARM64 (Apple silicon)
Kernel type	Hybrid (XNU)
License	Proprietary software with open-source components and content licensed with APSL
Preceded by	macOS Sonoma
Succeeded by	macOS Tahoe
Tagline	Sharp as a Mac.
Support status
Supported.

macOS Sequoia (version 15) is the newest main version of Apple's macOS computer operating system. It came after macOS Sonoma. Apple announced it at their WWDC 2024 event on June 10, 2024. Like other macOS versions, it's named after a famous place in California. This one is named after Sequoia National Park, known for its giant trees.

The first test version for developers came out on June 10, 2024. A public test version was available on July 15, 2024. The final version of macOS Sequoia was released to everyone on September 16, 2024. It was the first macOS version to be released on the same day as new iOS and iPadOS versions.

macOS Sequoia will be followed by macOS Tahoe, which is expected to be released in September 2025. Sequoia is the last macOS version that works on some older Mac computers. These include the iMac Pro, certain Intel-based Mac Mini models, and some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from 2018-2020. Its successor, macOS Tahoe, will not support these older computers.

How macOS Sequoia Was Made

Craig Federighi, a Senior Vice President at Apple, announced macOS Sequoia. He shared the news at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10, 2024. It was announced at the same time as iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and watchOS 11. Before its official release, Apple put out 8 test versions for developers and 6 test versions for the public.

Cool New Features

macOS Sequoia brought many new features and improvements. Most of these changes help people be more productive when using their Mac.

iPhone Mirroring

• A cool new feature called iPhone Mirroring lets you see and use your iPhone right on your Mac screen. It works like a window on your Mac. This feature is available on most Macs that run Sequoia. However, it does not work on the 2019 iMac. This is because that model does not have a special chip called the T2 chip.

App Updates

• The Calculator app got a new look. It now looks more like the Calculator app on iOS and iPadOS, with rounded buttons. This is a big change from its old design.
• The Notes app now has a "Math Notes" feature. You can use it to solve simple math problems and equations right inside your notes.
• A new app called Passwords was introduced. It helps you keep all your passwords safe and organized. It works across different Apple devices. This new app replaces an older tool called Keychain.
• In System Settings, which is where you change your Mac's settings, menus were reorganized. This makes it easier to find the settings you use most often.
• The Safari web browser also got many updates. It loads web pages faster and has a new start page. There's also a new "Reader" mode that makes articles easier to read. You can even hide parts of a webpage you don't want to see.

Gaming and AI

• macOS Sequoia includes an improved "Game Porting Toolkit." This tool helps game developers bring games made for Windows to Mac computers more easily.
• Apple Intelligence is a new set of smart features powered by artificial intelligence. It's available on Macs with Apple silicon chips. It includes a smarter Siri and "Writing Tools." These tools can help you check your writing or change its tone. It also helps you quickly write email replies in Mail. Plus, it works with ChatGPT across your system.

Other Improvements

• Window tiling is now smarter. When you drag a window to the edge of your screen, macOS suggests ways to arrange it. This is similar to a feature found in Microsoft Windows.
• The Tips app is now a separate app you can open and use. It has a new design and replaces the old Help system. This app gives you guides for different apps like Freeform and Pages. It also has guides for other Apple devices you might own. You can even pin the Tips app to your Dock for quick access.

Macs That Can Run Sequoia

macOS Sequoia works on Macs that have Apple's own Apple silicon chips. It also supports some older Macs with Intel chips, specifically those with Skylake-based Xeon W and 8th-generation Coffee Lake chips or newer. To use the new Apple Intelligence features, your Mac needs an M1 chip or a newer Apple silicon chip.

macOS Sequoia supports almost all the same Macs as macOS Sonoma. The only Macs it no longer supports are the 2018–2019 MacBook Air models. The 2019 iMac is the only supported Intel Mac that does not have a special T2 security chip. macOS Sequoia is the first version to stop supporting a Mac that has a T2 security chip.

Here are the Mac computers that are compatible with macOS Sequoia:

• iMac (2019 and newer models)
• iMac Pro (2017 model)
• MacBook Air (2020 and newer models)
• MacBook Pro (2018 and newer models)
• Mac Mini (2018 and newer models)
• Mac Pro (2019 and newer models)
• Mac Studio (all models)

Release Dates

The first test version for developers of macOS Sequoia came out on June 10, 2024. Anyone with an Apple Developer account could get these test versions. This was similar to how macOS Sonoma test versions were released.

You can find more details on Apple's official release notes and security update contents.

See also

• Apple Intelligence
• iOS 18
• iPadOS 18
• tvOS 18
• visionOS 2
• watchOS 11