MacOS Sequoia, also known as macOS 15, is the latest version of Apple’s desktop operating system. The new operating system packs a ton of new capabilities onto the Mac, including a password management app, video conferencing tools and updates to Safari, as well as all the features that come with Apple Intelligence—the company’s new artificial intelligence-powered system. Below, we break down how to download it and all the latest goodies in this software update.
Be sure to check out our iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 roundup for all the new features coming to your iPhone and iPad, and our look at what’s new in watchOS 11.
Updated January 2025: We’ve added details about macOS 15.2, which includes additional Apple Intelligence features.
Index
MacOS Sequoia, or macOS 15, is a free update for Apple computers. But some features, like Apple Intelligence (more on this later) are exclusive to Macs with the M-series Apple silicon chip. To find out which Mac model you have, click the Apple icon in the menu bar in the upper left corner of your screen and click About this Mac. We’ve listed all the models that can run macOS Sequoia below.
- MacBook Air: 2020 and later
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- Mac Mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
How to Install MacOS Sequoia
Before installing the new operating system, we strongly recommend that you back up your Mac first. You can do this by backing up your files with Time Machine or storing your files in iCloud. Apple’s support article has step-by-step instructions on how to do this.
To download the software, click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen. Then click System Settings > General > Software Update. Then click on Update now (or upgrade now). From there, click Upgrade Now—your Mac will begin downloading and installing macOS Sequoia.
New MacOS version updates
We have listed all the major features in macOS Sequoia below. But throughout the year, Apple will continue to release additional updates that include new capabilities (that weren’t included in the initial launch), security fixes, and bug fixes. To update your Mac to the latest version, go to Institutions > General > Software update and follow the instructions above.
macOS 15.2: This update includes Image Playground, ChatGPT support in Siri and Writing Tools, Rewrite directions in Writing Tools, AirTag shared location tracking in Find My, and minor improvements to the Photos app.
macOS 15.1: This update includes iPhone mirroring, window tiling, text effects and Emoji return in Messages, a redesigned reader in Safari, Math annotations in the Calculator app, and access to walking routes in Maps. It also includes Apple Intelligence features for M-series Macs such as writing tools, smart replies and mail summaries, cleaning in photos, summaries for transcripts and call recordings in notes, reduce interruption focus, and the new Siri (you can type requests and move the Siri window around the screen), and more.
MacOS Sequoia Features
Below you will find all the main features included in macOS 15. Apple has more details here.
iPhone mirroring
Photo: Apple
Sometimes your iPhone is in the other room or deep in your pocket. For those moments when you need to use it but simply don’t feel like getting up to find it, you’ll be able to pick it up on your computer. As part of Apple’s Continuity features, iPhone Mirroring gives you the ability to both access and communicate with your iPhone from your Mac.
When the feature is in action, you’ll see your iPhone’s custom home screen appear. From there, you can use the keyboard, trackpad or mouse to drag and drop content (such as photos, videos and files) between both devices, open and use any of your apps, swipe through all the pages on your home screen, such as as well as viewing and responding to notifications. While doing all this, your iPhone will remain locked. It also works while your iPhone is in Standby mode, a feature of iOS 17 that turns your iPhone into a Smart Display while charging.
Safari updates
Photo: Apple
MacOS Sequoia brings some new features to Safari. With Highlights, Safari will use machine intelligence to show you relevant information from the web page, such as directions, links, summaries and restaurant reviews. Apple also redesigned the Reader to reduce distractions. In addition to a slimmer view of the article, you’ll also see a summary and a table of contents (for longer articles). If the web page includes a video, Viewer will bring it to the foreground while still giving you access to playback controls (including Picture in Picture).
Window tiling
Video: Apple
Those who always keep a ton of browser windows open at once will appreciate the new window tiling feature that helps organize them for a better viewing experience. When you drag a window to the edge of the screen, the new operating system will automatically suggest a tiled position on your screen. (This is similar to Snap on Windows.) You can then drop the window into place, arrange multiple windows next to each other, or place them in any of the four corners to make room for more applications. For faster organization, you can also use keyboard and menu shortcuts.
Video conferencing tools
Photo: Apple
Last year, Apple added a bunch of new video conferencing tools with macOS Sonoma, including Presenter Overlay, Reactions, and various features for the Mac’s built-in webcam. This year, the company is adding a few more. With apps like FaceTime and Zoom, you’ll have access to a new presenter preview capability that lets you see what you’re about to share before you actually share it. Meanwhile, the built-in wallpapers feature allows you to apply system wallpapers, color gradients or your own photos as background for video calls. Apple says this feature will be available on FaceTime and third-party apps like Webex.
A new Passwords app
Photo: Apple
If you’ve never liked Keychain, you now have a better option: macOS Sequoia comes with a new Passwords app that lets you access all your passwords (including Wi-Fi passwords), passkeys, and verification codes in one place can get It keeps all your Apple devices in sync, runs on Windows machines too (with the iCloud for Windows app) and supports end-to-end encryption.
More with messages
Photo: Apple
A few new Messages features are coming to macOS Sequoia—and by extension, to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. You’ll be able to format your texts within Messages using bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough type treatments. You will also have the ability to add animated effects to a specific word within a text. For some phrases and words, you’ll also see suggestions appear as you type. Apple has also added new Tapbacks—instead of using the traditional heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, question mark, or exclamation mark, you’ll also see options to use emojis and stickers. Another notable new feature is the option to schedule your messages ahead of time so they will be sent later.
Other features
Photo: Apple
- Apple Maps: With Maps, you’ll have access to thousands of hiking trails across all 63 US national parks, all of which can be filtered by elevation, length, and trail type. You’ll also be able to save it to access your maps when you’re out in the wilderness without a data signal.
- Calculator App: Apple is giving its Calculator app an upgrade by adding new features, such as the ability to enter and view complete expressions (with trigonometry, brackets and multiple operations) before pressing equals to see the final answer. You will also be able to see a history of your calculations.
- Calendar: Within the Calendar app, you can view both events and tasks from the Reminders app. There’s also an updated Month view meant to make it easier to see all your appointments at a glance—all of which are color-coded.
- Photos: A new collections feature within the Photos app will automatically organize your library by topics, including Travel, Recent Days, and People & Pets. With Pinned Collections, you’ll be able to quickly access certain collections and albums. You’ll also now see your Favorites album appear under Utilities and in pinned collections. You can clear your Recently Shared album and Recently Viewed history as well.
- Game Mode: This feature was originally announced last year with macOS Sonoma. With macOS Sequoia, Apple has improved Game Mode with smoother frame rates and “advanced power management features” to improve performance on its Macs. It also supports personal spatial audio and reduces audio latency with the AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
- Home Application: Apple adds guest access that lets you manage how and when people can enter your home. There’s a new feature that shows how much electricity you’re using and how much it’s costing you, based on current utility rates.
- Battery: The ability to turn on Low Power Mode was introduced with macOS Monterey. Now it’s available in the Battery menu in the top left corner of your screen so you don’t have to dig through System Settings anymore.
- Find Me: Within the Find My app, you’ll now see a new Lost AirTag section that allows you to share the location of your AirTag with up to five other people, to help locate it. Soon you can also share it with airlines (if your luggage is lost). Simply send the specific link via Messages, Notes, Mail, AirDrop, and more. They will need to verify it with their Apple account, and the link will expire after a week.
Apple Intelligence features
Photo: Apple
In addition to the features above, Apple Intelligence—the company’s “personal intelligence system”—is built into macOS Sequoia as well as iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. These features are only available in Sequoia 15.1 and later.