Find out if you can run Ventura on your Mac and which version of macOS is best for your Mac with our macOS compatibility checklist. Your Mac can run a variety of different versions of macOS, but not all versions are compatible with all Macs. Here’s how to figure out which versions of macOS your Mac can run.
1. Check your Mac’s model and year:
The first step is to find out what model of Mac you have and when it was released. You can find this information by opening the Apple menu and selecting “About This Mac.”
Apple menu
The model name and year of your Mac will be listed under “Model Name” and “Model Identifier.”
2. Find your Mac’s macOS compatibility:
Once you know your Mac’s model and year, you can use Apple’s compatibility table which versions of macOS your Mac can run.
The compatibility table lists all of the Macs that can run each version of macOS, as well as the minimum requirements for each version.
macOS Sonoma compatibility
Apple has announced the new features coming in macOS Sonoma later this year, but right now the software is in beta. If you want to run the beta, and if you eventually want to install the operating system update you will only be able to do so on one of these Macs:
- iMac from 2019 and later
- Mac Pro from 2019 and later
- iMac Pro from 2017
- Mac Studio from 2022 and later
- MacBook Air from 2018 and later
- Mac mini from 2018 and later
- MacBook Pro from 2018 and later
macOS Ventura compatibility
Apple released macOS 13 Ventura to the public on October 24, 2022. The most current version 13.3.1 at the time of writing, read our guide to every version of macOS released to find out about the latest version. To run Ventura you will need one of these Macs:
- MacBook models from 2017 or later
- MacBook Air models from 2018 or later
- MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later
- Mac mini models from 2018 or later
- iMac models from 2017 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from 2019 or later
- Mac Studio (all models)
3. Update your Mac to the latest version of macOS:
If your Mac is compatible with a newer version of macOS, you can update it to the latest version by following these steps:
- Open the App Store.
- Click on the “Updates” tab.
- If there is an update available for macOS, click on the “Update” button.
4. Downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS:
If you need to downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS, you can do so by following these steps:
- Create a bootable installer for the older version of macOS.
- Boot your Mac from the bootable installer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the older version of macOS.
Here are some things to keep in mind when checking your Mac’s macOS compatibility:
- Not all Macs can run the latest version of macOS.
- Some Macs can run older versions of macOS, but not the latest version.
- If you’re not sure which version of macOS your Mac can run, you can check the compatibility table.
- If you need to downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS, you can do so by creating a bootable installer for the older version of macOS.
I hope this helps!
