Apr 01, 2020 The Apple File System (APFS) is the file system used with Mac devices running macOS 10.13 High Sierra and later, while the older Mac OS Extended file system is available for older versions of macOS. You can still use either file system for your hard drives and attached storage devices, with both having their own pros and cons. Up to15%cash back High Sierra is the update to macOS that Apple released in September, 2017. Most of the major changes are 'under the hood' with a better file system, faster graphics, and developer tools that will lead to better apps. Sep 20, 2016 macOS Sierra (version 10.12), released September 20, 2016, is the thirteenth major release of OS X, renamed macOS, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. It is the successor to OS X El Capitan and is a new feature release. Following the California landmark-based naming scheme introduced with OS X Mavericks, Sierra was named after the entire Sierra.

Apple has been in the tenth iteration of Mac OS since 2001, but while the name has changed from Mac OS X to macOS and the version number has crept up over the years, the core of the operating system stayed the same. Over its lifetime, Apple has made considerable improvements to the performance, security, and functionality of the software, making it one of the most robust and user-friendly operating systems around.

● Operating System for Mac and MacBook
● Started as macOS in 1984
● Mac OS X shipped March 2001
● Unix-based OS
● Major releases originally named after big cats
● Now generations named after California locations

Apple's macOS is the operating system that runs on the company's Mac and MacBook range of devices. The software, which is free to update for all Mac and MacBook owners, handles the running of applications and controls hardware that attaches to the computer.

Designed by Apple for its own systems, macOS is made to run as optimally as possible on the hardware the company sells. It also connects to Apple's online services, including the Mac App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, and other entities, and has considerable security protections to keep the users and their data safe from harm.

Based on Unix at its core, macOS is flexible enough to be extremely configurable by power users, such as via Terminal commands, and is also capable of being used for server-based applications rather than for traditional desktop use.

The operating system known currently as macOS started life as Mac OS, which was launched in 1984. Considered to be the classic Mac OS, it underwent multiple major releases until its final version, Mac OS 9, shipped in 1999.

Apple changed its policy with the launch of Mac OS X, colloquially known as OS X, in March 2001. Since that release, Apple has kept the major version number at 10, instead using the following minor number to indicate main upgrade releases, such as version 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.

In 2016, Apple altered how it referred to the operating system once again, switching to macOS to match the naming pattern of its other operating systems, including iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The version numbers continued from the previous release as usual.

This has led to the modern-day naming of the operating system as taking up three digits in patches following the annual major release, to indicate patches instead of feature updates. For example, the first patch after the milestone release of macOS 10.15 was macOS 10.15.1.

As well as the official name and version number, Apple has also altered the release title for each over time.

From the release of Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah until OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Apple referred to the operating system by the name of a big cat. From OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Apple switched the naming convention to refer to places in California and has continued to do so since then.

Apple finally relinquished its 19 year naming scheme and took macOS to 11 with its release of macOS Big Sur in 2020.

macOS 11 Big Sur

Apple announced macOS Big Sur at its all-digital WWDC conference in June 2020. The operating system was redesigned with new textured icons, colorful sidebars, and more transparent and curvy elements all around. The design changes make the Mac look much closer to iPadOS than ever before.

Safari was updated with more privacy and security protections built in. Apple has made third-party extensions work with Safari even if they were built for chrome. The ability to translate webpages is now a built-in function and works totally on device.

Messages is now built with Mac Catalyst and has feature parity with its iOS counterpart. Users can send message effects, Tapbacks, and tag users in a group chat just like in iOS 14.

Apple revealed its plans to move Mac away from Intel chips to custom Apple Silicon. All iOS and iPadOS will run natively on Apple Silicon, and developers can easily upgrade their existing apps to be more Mac-like with Mac Catalyst. The new Mac computers will run Rosetta 2 and virtualization to help users and developers transition away from their Intel apps.

macOS Catalina brought Catalyst and Sidecar to the OS

Released on October 7, 2019, macOS 10.15 Catalina introduced significant improvements to app handling.

A major change in Catalina was Apple's decision to end support for 32-bit apps, requiring developers to rework their apps into 64-bit versions in order to continue functioning properly. Not all developers elected to migrate their apps, forcing some users to avoid upgrading to Catalina.

Another chief change is the removal of iTunes, in favor of new apps that replace the majority of its functions. New apps for Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV offer the core functions of iTunes, while iOS device backup duties were transferred to the Finder.

10.15.1 introduced new emoji, support for the AirPods Pro, AMD Navi RDNA graphics cards in eGPU enclosures, alteration to the Photos app, and an option to opt in to Siri reviews.

10.15.2 made refinements to the Apple News, Stocks, Photos, Mail, and other apps, as well as fixes for issues in the Photos and Mail apps.

10.15.3 improved multi-stream video editing performance for HEVC and H.264-encoded video on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, along with Pro Display XDR optimizations.

10.15.4 added improved support for HDR-compatible monitors and added reference modes for the Pro Display XDR.

Out on September 24, 2018, macOS 10.14 Mojave's main new feature was dark mode, an alternate user interface that can be switched to and from, and could even be implemented to change on a schedule via Dynamic Desktop.

Apps that have been available on iOS for some time were also ported to macOS, including a News app, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home for managing HomeKit. The initiative was part of 'Project Marzipan,' to enable apps developed for iOS to function in macOS with few changes, with the quartet used to demonstrate the concept to users and developers.

On the desktop, Stacks are a way for files to be organized on the workspace, piling up similar files into grouped collections automatically. Continuity Camera allows for photographs taken on an iPhone to be instantly transferred to within an application on macOS.

10.14.1 consisted of new emoji, security enhancements and bug fixes, along with Group FaceTime.

10.14.2 largely consisted of security and bug fixes, a description matched by macOS 10.14.3.

10.14.4 added integration with the just-launched Apple News+ subscription service, in the Apple News app. Support for second-generation AirPods, Safari Autofill for MacBooks with Touch ID hardware, air quality index readings in Maps, and real-time text for phone calls made through a nearby iPhone were among the other changes.

10.14.5 was largely a maintenance update, though included fixes relating to AirPlay 2 support. 10.14.6 continued the security and bug fix theme.

The naming scheme took a half-step despite major underlying changes to the OS

Released on September 9, 2017, macOS 10.13 High Sierra featured a major change for storage, with macOS switching over to the Apple File System, APFS. Intended to take advantage of the use of Flash and SSD sto

Macos Sierra Switching Between Apps