macOS 15 Sequoia: newest model, beta, new options in macOS 15.2

macOS Sequoia has been accessible for suitable Macs since September 2024, however additional updates to Seqoia are anticipated over the following few months, with the primary main replace being macOS 15.1, which arrived on October 28.

If you wish to know what the brand new options are, whether or not it is possible for you to to take pleasure in all of them, and in case your Mac is ebven suitable with Sequoia, learn on. We’re additionally monitoring any issues, the most recent updates, and what’s new within the beta.

The brand new model of macOS is named Sequoia, named after the Californian Nationwide Park and, extra particularly, the world’s largest timber. Among the many new options coming to Macs in Sequoia are iPhone mirroring, which places your iPhone display screen in your Mac’s show and allows you to work together with it through your mouse and keyboard, a brand new Video conferencing presenter preview, and adjustments to Safari. As well as, builders might be simply capable of port video games between iPhone, Mac, and iPad.

The free software program replace brings a raft of interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new options. On this article, we talk about every thing you’ll want to learn about macOS 15 Sequoia together with learn how to obtain it. We additionally hyperlink to varied tutorials about learn how to use the brand new options. Some options will solely work on Macs with an M-series chip, together with a number of Apple Intelligence options that can supply assist with writing, creating photos, modifying pictures, and extra.

Some folks have been working Sequoia for a while because of Apple’s beta testing program. On this article, we additionally talk about the most recent variations of each the developer and public beta.

Replace November 20: On November 20 Apple issued an vital replace to Sequoia. The macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 emergency replace patches a pair of scary vulnerabilities which have already been utilized in distant assaults. Apple additionally up to date the Sequoia 15.2 beta to model 4.

macOS Sequoia: Newest model

• macOS 15.1.1 – November 20

The most recent model of macOS Sequoia is macOS 15.1.1. It’s an ’emergency replace’ essential to patch flaws in JavaScript and WebKit that Apple says “might have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac methods.” There isn’t any launch for Macs working macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or Ventura 13.7.1, but, however that replace is prone to come quickly.

macOS 15.1 arrived on October 28. This main replace brings the primary raft of Apple Intelligence options to Macs with the M-series chip.

macOS 15.0.1 was launched on October 3, 2024. It didn’t include new options, but it surely did embrace two vital bug fixes. One bug repair corrected the error that led Messages to give up when replying to a message that shared an Apple Watch face. The opposite repair was for compatibility with third-party safety software program.

Apple launched macOS Sequoia to the general public sooner than traditional, alongside iOS 18 on Monday, September 16. iOS 18, watchOS and iPadOS 18 have been launched on the similar time. The subsequent main replace to Sequoia might be macOS 15.1 which is anticipated by the top of the month.

For details about what’s coming within the subsequent model take a look at the newest model of the Sequoia beta part beneath.

macOS Sequoia: Options in macOS Sequoia 15.1

macOS Sequoia 15.1 consists of various new AI options that work on M-series Macs:

Writing Instruments – providing spelling and grammar assist and serving to you edit or summarize textual content. These options can be utilized across the working system.

Siri – new design and Sort To Siri. (Sort to Siri isn’t a brand new characteristic, however Apple’s making it extra apparent for these of us who hate speaking to Siri). Siri might be higher at sustaining context when you ask associated questions.

Scale back Interruptions – a brand new AI Focus Mode that can filter out unimportant notifications.

Sensible Reply – you’ll have the ability to use these in Messages and Mail.

Photographs – Reminiscence Film will create slideshows primarily based on a textual content description. You can even use a Clear Up software to take away undesirable parts of a photograph. Enhancements to picture search.

Summaries – Safari will have the ability to summarize articles.

iPhone Mirroring – Drag recordsdata from iPhone to Mac and again.

Audio transcriptions – You may get audio transcriptions of your audio recordings in Notes.

macOS Sequoia: What’s coming in in macOS Sequoia 15.2

• Launch date: December 2024 (anticipated)

On October 23, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 1 to builders. Beta 2 arrived on November 4.

This replace will deliver much more Apple Intelligence options together with enhancements to Writing Instruments, generative AI Picture Playground, ChatGPT integration for Siri and Writing Instruments, together with:

• Writing Instruments updates – extra choices.
• Genmojji – new emoji you’ll be able to create.
• Picture Playground – capability to generate photos primarily based on textual content prompts.
• Picture Wand – makes use of Apple’s picture era instruments to create a picture and add as context to a word.
• ChatGPT integration – use ChatGPT with Siri.
• Mail – AI-powered auto-categories to assist handle your Inbox.

macOS Sequoia: Issues & bugs

A number of third-party safety instruments have reported points with the brand new model of the Mac working system. Learn extra right here: Maintain off on updating to macOS Sequoia for those who’re utilizing cybersecurity instruments.

CrowdStrike referenced “adjustments within the community stack” in an alert despatched to its clients and has held off on assist for the brand new OS.

ESET indicated that there’s a downside is with ESET Cyber Safety model 6, an older model that “might be Finish of Life quickly.”

Firefox apparently has firewall-related points with Sequoia.

Messages may give up if a message together with an Apple Watch face was replied to (fastened in macOS 15.0.1)

Compatibility with third-party safety software program was addressed in macOS 15.0.1.

Having issues with Sequoia? Learn: How you can downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma

macOS Sequoia compatibility: Which Macs will have the ability to run macOS 15?

Foundry

The next Macs get assist for macOS 15.

• iMac from 2019 and later
• Mac Professional from 2019 and later
• iMac Professional from 2017
• Mac Studio from 2022 and later
• MacBook Air from 2020 and later
• Mac mini from 2018 and later
• MacBook Professional from 2018 and later

There are two 13-inch MacBook Air fashions from 2018 and 2019 working Sonoma that gained’t have the ability to set up Sequoia.

The compatibility listing is turning into a urgent concern for customers of Intel Macs. After Apple launched its M-series Macs, the corporate stated it might proceed to assist Intel Macs for a number of years, but it surely didn’t supply specifics. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, however the final era of Intel Macs stays on the macOS 15 compatibility listing with just a few Intel Macs that may run macOS Sequoia.

Nevertheless, solely Macs with an M1, M2, or M3-series chip will assist the brand new AI options known as “Apple Intelligence.” That features the next:

• iMac from 2021 and later
• Mac Professional from 2023
• Mac Studio from 2022 and later
• MacBook Air from late 2020 and later
• Mac mini from late 2020 and later
• MacBook Professional from late 2020 and later

In case your Mac can’t be up to date to Sequoia that doesn’t imply you’re fully deserted by Apple. Apple will present safety updates for some Macs that don’t run macOS 15. Typically, Apple offers software program updates for the previous two variations of macOS. See: How lengthy does Apple assist Macs? On common, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates.

To seek out out which model of macOS and older Mac can run check out our macOS compatibility listing.

macOS Sequoia: Ought to I set up Sequoia?

So long as your Mac can run it, we advocate updating to Sequoia. The brand new options–all of which we talk about beneath–look attractive sufficient. We tackle how macOS Sequoia compares to Sonoma? in a separate article. We additionally run by way of 6 the reason why you’ll want to improve to macOS Sequoia.

Nevertheless, it’s smart to attend per week or so for the inevitable points with the early launch to be addressed: regardless of the beta program, there are sometimes points as soon as the software program replace will get out into the huge Mac world. It’s additionally smart to attend as a result of the obtain will possible take quite a bit longer for those who strive quickly after it turns into accessible.

Discuss with the issues and bugs part above to see if any of the recognized points may have an effect on you.

macOS Sequoia: How you can set up

Putting in macOS Sequoia is a breeze. Open System Settings and go to Common > Software program Replace; macOS will verify for any accessible updates and information you thru the method of putting in them. You merely must comply with the directions, which we clarify in our macOS updating information. And it’s simpler nonetheless for those who’ve turned on Automated Updates, which you are able to do from the identical display screen.

Nevertheless, for those who do encounter issues the next could also be helpful:

macOS Sequoia Beta: Newest model

Apple’s beta testing program for builders and public testers has been working since June/July and can proceed even after the launch of macOS Sequoia to most people. There’s a separate macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta that features Apple Intelligence options. Under yow will discover details about the most recent beta variations and learn how to set up them.

If you wish to run the developer beta, you’ll want to be a registered Apple software program developer, which has each free and paid ($99/£79) variations. Since June 2023 Apple has opened the beta to all registered builders–so now everybody can get the earliest doable entry to the macOS beta with out paying a penny. Anybody can join the Public Beta, which must be extra secure than the developer beta, however it could nonetheless be unstable. By nature, beta software program just isn’t as secure as the ultimate model–options could also be applied after which withdrawn, or they could not work correctly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isn’t assured.

As soon as registered, while you go to System Settings > Common > Software program Replace in your Mac, you’ll see a brand new tab for Beta Updates, which is able to listing the model of the beta you’re working. For instance, if you wish to set up the developer beta choose macOS 15 Public Beta, alternatively, if it’s the general public beta you need, choose macOS 15 Public Beta.

We clarify How you can be a part of Apple’s beta program individually, together with particulars of learn how to get a free developer account. If you wish to set up the beta, comply with our macOS beta set up information. For those who then wish to uninstall it, now we have a information for that: How you can take away macOS beta.

The beta testing will proceed even after Apple releases macOS Sequoia to most people as Apple develops new options unavailable at launch.

Learn How you can be a part of Apple’s beta program for extra recommendation.

Newest developer beta

Apple started testing macOS 15.2 shortly earlier than the discharge of macOS 15.1. Learn: How you can set up the Mac beta.

On October 23, Apple launched the primary macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta for builders with a number of new Apple Intelligence options, together with Genmoji, ChatGPT Integration with Siri, and the Picture Playground for creating AI photos. It’s anticipated to reach in December. The primary beta was restricted to Apple silicon Macs whereas the second beta is for all suitable Macs.

Foundry

Newest public beta

Apple hasn’t launched a beta of macOS 15.2 to the general public but.

macOS Sequoia: All the brand new options

Many new options arrived in macOS 14 Sonoma in 2023 together with adjustments to Widgets, a brand new Recreation Mode, the power to simply flip internet pages into internet apps, and enjoyable additions to video conferencing apps. Rumors urged that there wouldn’t be many new options in macOS 15, with AI-related enhancements in iOS 18 taking a lot of the improvement focus. Nevertheless, some AI enhancements are coming alongside iPhone mirroring in your Mac show, a brand new Presenter Preview for video conferencing apps, and Recreation Porting Toolkit 2 for porting video games between Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Apple has introduced quite a few new options for the replace which we’ll describe beneath. Not all the brand new options might be accessible at launch although. Some new options will come “later this yr” in a subsequent software program replace.

iPhone mirroring

iPhone mirroring is a brand new improvement of Continuity. Continuity is a characteristic that has existed on Macs for various years meaning you should use your Mac along with different units in a seamless manner, making reduce and paste, display screen sharing and mouse and keyboard sharing doable throughout units.

With the brand new capability to reflect an iPhone on a Mac’s show, will probably be doable for a Mac to hook up with an iPhone and show the iPhone display screen on the Mac’s show. This fashion a consumer will have the ability to management their iPhone from their Mac, utilizing the keyboard and mouse to work together. Drag and drop between the Mac and iPhone may even be doable. Customers may mirror the iPhone in a window on the Mac.

It’s going to even be doable to launch their iPhone apps through their Mac. Any audio from the iPhone will play by way of the Mac’s audio system.

Throughout any manipulation of the iPhone through the Mac, the iPhone will stay locked so no one can see what’s being finished. It’s going to even be doable to make use of the cellphone usually whereas it’s linked to the Mac.

Customers may even have the ability to obtain iPhone notifications on a Mac. They’ll seem alongside Mac notifications. These might be interacted with even when the iPhone isn’t close by. Click on on a notification and be taken into the app in your iPhone through the Mac’s show.

Learn: How iPhone Mirroring enables you to entry your iPhone in your Mac in macOS Sequoia

Apple

Window Tiling

macOS Sequoia will deliver a brand new, neater, strategy to organize home windows. When a consumer drags a window to the sting of the display screen it should present a spot on the desktop that you would be able to slot that window into. This can make it simple to shortly organize tiles side-by-side in order that extra apps are in view.

There might be new keyboard and menu shortcuts to assist customers arrange tiles even quicker.

Learn: Why you don’t wish to ditch your tiling window supervisor simply but

Apple

Video conferencing

A brand new presenter preview will present customers what they’re about to share earlier than they share it. This characteristic will work with Zoom and different apps, in addition to FaceTime.

It’s going to even be doable to use built-in backgrounds with shade gradients and wallpapers. Customers may even have the ability to add their pictures. These Background replacements might be utilized in varied video calling apps, even mid-call.

Apple

Safari 18

Safari 18 will embrace a number of new options together with a brand new Highlights characteristic which is able to assist customers uncover info. The Reader characteristic can be getting a redesign to reduce distractions if you find yourself studying an article. Becoming a member of the extra streamlined model of the article that may already be accessed, customers will see a abstract and a desk of contents for longer articles.

If there’s a video on the web page will probably be positioned entrance and middle and the consumer could have entry to playback controls and picture-in-picture playback may even be doable.

Different rumored options included a “Net Eraser,” and a brand new web page controls menu. An replace in 2025 can be stated to be bringing an AI enhancement to Visible Lookup not simply in Safari, however all through the OS, though we’re awaiting affirmation.

Learn: How you can use Distraction Management to take away advertisements and This new Safari characteristic enables you to snap away annoying advertisements.

Apple

New Passwords app

Apple is bringing the iCloud Keychain into the twenty first century. Apple says the brand new Passwords app will make it even simpler to entry passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and different credentials multi functional place. It’s going to seamlessly syncs between each Apple units and Home windows with the iCloud for Home windows app.

Apple

Calculator

It had been rumored that Apple is engaged on a brand new Calculator app. It could be redesigned to resemble the iOS model, with new options together with a historical past tape, revamped conversions, and a resizable window. Apple did reveal that will probably be doable to see earlier calculations with a historical past characteristic.

Calendar and Reminders

The Calendar app will enable customers to handle Reminders. Customers will have the ability to view occasions and duties from Reminders within the Calendar. An up to date Month View may even be accessible and each apps will see UI adjustments.

Different new options

Gaming enhancements

In 2023 Apple launched the Recreation Porting Toolkit to assist builders deliver their video games to Apple units quicker than ever. Now Recreation Porting Toolkit 2 provides the most-requested capabilities from sport builders.

As well as, enhancements to Recreation Mode on the Mac will unlock smoother body charges, and superior energy administration options increase efficiency throughout the Mac lineup.

Apple proudly shared particulars of a number of gaming titles that might be coming to the Mac, together with:

• Murderer’s Creed Shadows
• Management Final Version
• Frostpunk 2
• Palworld
• RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard
• RESIDENT EVIL 2
• RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis
• Sniper Elite 4,
• Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
• World of Warcraft: The Battle Inside (coming later this yr).
• Wuthering Waves

Apple famous that they’re “leveraging highly effective software program applied sciences like MetalFX Upscaling to speed up efficiency and ship high-quality visuals throughout the Mac lineup” and that they’re “making the most of the most recent M3 household of chips to ship breathtaking visuals with ray tracing.”

Customized Spatial Audio will end in considerably diminished audio latency with AirPods Professional (2nd era).

Apple Intelligence options

A number of stories over the previous few months have indicated that Apple is doing numerous work in direction of AI, and that generative AI (utilizing AI to create content material) could have a giant position in macOS. These stories weren’t unsuitable.

Apple’s new private intelligence system is coming to Mac, iPhone, and iPad with macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. Apple Intelligence will solely be supported by Macs with an M-series chip although, so Intel Macs won’t supply these new options.

Learn: Apple Intelligence FAQ: What it’s, what it does, and while you’ll get it

Writing

Apple Intelligence will assist customers improve their writing and communications. Writing Instruments are in-built systemwide that can supply to rewrite, proofread, and summarize textual content in writing-focused apps similar to Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.

Apple

Pictures

New picture capabilities may even come to M-series Macs. In Picture Playground, customers will have the ability to create photos in three kinds: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch.

Photographs

A brand new Reminiscences in Photographs characteristic will create a video from pictures and movies primarily based on an outline supplied by the consumer. Apple Intelligence will select the pictures and movies, develop a storyline primarily based on the pictures, and organize them right into a film.

As well as, a brand new Clear Up software will determine and take away undesirable objects from the background of a photograph.

Siri

Siri can be getting some AI updates and ChatGPT is built-in into Siri. As a result of some queries might be dealt with off-device Apple is introducing Non-public Cloud Compute in order that when information is distributed to server-based fashions for processing it’s not saved or made accessible to Apple

One of many easiest adjustments to Siri is that will probably be simpler to kind to Siri slightly than having to talk to the on-device assistant. Apple might have lastly twigged that folks don’t all the time wish to speak to their telephones.

Subsequent model of macOS

Since Apple stopped utilizing the names of jungle cats with macOS 10.9 Mavericks, it’s used California locations to determine its annual OS updates. The final a number of years have been Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Large Sur, and Catalina. Apple has trademarked a number of different place names, together with Condor, Mammoth, Redwood, and Sequoia. Nevertheless it’s anybody guess which Californian location macOS 16 might be named after.

However what subsequent by way of software program? Count on much more Apple Intelligence options to return within the late 2025 replace to macOS and count on that iOS, iPadOS and macOS might be nearer than ever.

Within the latest previous, the discharge has come a number of weeks after the new model of iOS ships. Listed here are the discharge dates for the earlier 5 variations of macOS:

• macOS 15 Sequoia: September 16, 2024
• macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023
• macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022
• macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021
• macOS 11 Large Sur: November 12, 2020
• macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019
• macOS 10.14 Mojave: September 24, 2018