In case you have been living under a rock then you might not know that Apple has recently launched the public beta version of their brand new operating system which has been named after their trademark California theme – macOS Sierra (Sierra refers to a mountain range in central and eastern California).
Jul 17, 2016 The name Sierra continues on with their California landmark theme, in this operating system the use of the term ‘OSX’ has now dropped the ‘X’ to ‘OS’. Disappointedly for some the new macOS will run on less machines than its predecessors including OSX 10.11 El Capitan. If your Mac isn't listed above, and it wasn't introduced after the release of macOS High Sierra in September 2017, it isn't compatible with the operating system. MacOS High Sierra Hardware Accelerated HEVC Compatibility. All of the above Macs support the macOS High Sierra operating system, but only the following support HEVC hardware acceleration. Jun 22, 2016 Mac mini (2010 and later) Mac Pro (2010 and later) macOS Sierra system requirements are also available in this support document. It’s interesting that macOS Sierra marks the first time Apple has changed the system requirements for the Mac operating system 2012’s release of Mountain Lion.
This new operating system is capable of a hundred things that make it way more exciting than any of the previous versions. An interesting thing to note here would be that apple has dropped the 'OS X' and it will now just be called as macOS Sierra. Fun fact, this is not a new thing for Apple as up till the year 2001 (before the release of version 10) it was called macOS only. MacOS Sierra will be the Version 10.12 of Apple’s Mac operating system and it is a major update to the current version. The major features of this update to the existing operating system include Siri's debut on the Mac, a universal clipboard that runs across all applications and optimized storage with iCloud Drive. Another interesting feature is that you can auto unlock the Mac with your Apple Watch or by using Apple Pay on the web. You will also find that freeing space on the Mac is now easier and even the iTunes application is better than before.
Part 1: Official macOS Sierra Minimum System Requirements and Supported Mac Model
Though a bit disappointing for several Apple Mac users but the new operating system will only support certain devices and will not be able to run on the rest. The following is a list of computers that have the minimum system requirements to run on the macOS Sierra and are listed as supported Mac models:
- MacBook (Late 2009 and later)
- MacBook Air (2010 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2010 and later)
- Mac mini (2010 and later)
- iMac (Late 2009 and later)
- Mac Pro (2010 and later)
All the versions of the Mac operating systems have always been free and macOS Sierra is no different. There will be additional costs to upgrade to this new version, however, before you upgrade make sure that you have no such applications that you require and won’t be able to run on macOS Sierra. Also, even if you have decided to upgrade to macOS Sierra, it is recommended to backup all your important data so that if you encounter any sort of problem then you can easily fall back on the backup without any hassle. This will ensure that you have two options to choose from.
Part 2: How to Check Your Mac for MacOS Sierra Compatibility
Even though a list has been shared by Apple regarding the devices of Mac that will be compatible with this version of the operating system, however, there is a simple way to check whether or not your device is compatible with macOS Sierra or not; just follow the steps given below:
Step 1. Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner. Choose the 'About this Mac' option.
Step 2. Under the 'Overview' tab you will find details like the current system software version and also the model and the year of the computer/device.
Check the list of macOS compatible devices given above and if the year is same or later than what is shown in the list then your device is compatible with macOS Sierra and you can upgrade easily.
If you have a Mac that is not compatible with the macOS Sierra, however, you want to upgrade to it then don’t fret as there is a way around it to run the macOS Sierra unofficially on the Mac devices and computers that are not compatible with the particular operating system. You would need to use the macOS Post Install application to choose the optimal patches for your particular Mac model. When the application finishes patching your computer then you should be able to boot into a brand new fully working copy of the macOS Sierra. This, however, comes with its own sets of drawbacks as well because in some cases some devices (unsupported by the macOS Sierra) might not be able to run Wi-Fi or some other features of OS. This would certainly create problems for the user.
Also, before you move ahead it is recommended that you back up all your data. Anyways, to run macOS Sierra on an unsupported device follow the following steps; however, before that you need a copy of the macOS Sierra, a Pen Drive with at least 8 GB and macOS Post Install.
Step 1. Insert your USB key and open disk utility and clear it with format of Mac OS Extended. Now, open the macOS Sierra Patcher and select previously downloaded system on your Mac. Then follow the instructions and it will automatically select your USB Drive and then click on 'Start Operation' in the dialog box. Once the process completes your USB Drive will now convert into a boot drive for your computer and you can use it to install macOS Sierra.
Step 2. Restart your Mac while you press down on the 'ALT' key and then select the startup volume on your USB Drive. Again go and open the disk utility and select the disk on which you want to install the macOS Sierra. Click clear by choosing the format called 'Extended OS X'. It will automatically install it. Restart while holding 'ALT' key.
Step 3. Icon for mac. Go to utilities section and select macOS Post Install and selection the application in your model of Mac. Select your USB key and click on 'Patch' and then click on 'Reboot' and wait.
You now have the new operating system – macOS Sierra and you can run it on your Mac. Please note that before you move ahead with any step do not forget to check whether you have enough space or not to install and run the new update to the operating system. Also make sure you backup the data beforehand so that in case you want to revert back to the previous version then you can do so.
When you upgrade to macOS Catalina, you get more of everything you love about Mac. Experience dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features in the apps you use every day. And Sidecar, which lets you use iPad as a second Mac display. https://rockbrown598.weebly.com/blog/free-firewall-for-mac. Best of all, upgrading is free and easy.
Chances are, your Mac can run macOS Catalina.
Mac computers with Metal-capable graphics processors (GPUs) can upgrade to macOS Catalina.
Make sure you’re ready to upgrade.
Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Catalina.
Upgrading is free. And easier than you think.
Upgrading from macOS Mojave?
Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find the macOS Catalina upgrade. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
Upgrading from an older version of macOS?
If you’re running High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or El Capitan (10.11), upgrade to macOS Catalina from the App Store. If you’re running Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8), you will need to upgrade to El Capitan (10.11) first. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
- OS X 10.9 or later
- 4GB of memory
- 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
- Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
- Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Siri
Requires a broadband internet connection and microphone (built-in or external).
Hey Siri
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro
Dictation, Voice Control, and Voice Memos
Requires a microphone (built-in or external).
Spotlight Suggestions
Requires a broadband internet connection.
Gestures
External dvd drive for mac. Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.
Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.
VoiceOver gestures require a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, or Magic Trackpad.
Photo Booth
Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built-in or external), or USB video class (UVC) camera.
FaceTime
Audio calls require a microphone (built-in or external) and broadband internet connection.
Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera; and broadband internet connection.
Apple TV
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (2019) with Pro Display XDR
Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
Sidecar
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (2016 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2016 or newer)
- Mac mini (2018 or newer)
- iMac (late 2015 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
- Mac Pro (2019)
Supported by all iPad models with Apple Pencil support:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- 11-inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (6th generation or later)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
Continuity Camera
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 12 or later.
Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup
Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 or an iPad with iPadOS.
Handoff
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later.
Instant Hotspot
Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector, and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.
Universal Clipboard
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 10 or later.
Auto Unlock
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later or an iPhone 5 or later.
Approve with Apple Watch
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 6 or later or an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13.
Apple Pay on the Web
Requires MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or later, or an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later.
Phone Calling
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.
SMS
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.
Home
Requires an iPhone with iOS 12 or later and a configured Home app.
AirDrop
AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.
AirPlay
AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.
Time Machine
Requires an external storage device (sold separately).
Power Nap
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro with Retina display (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Boot Camp
Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10 on supported Mac models.
Exchange Support
Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.
Windows Migration
Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows 7 or later.
App Store
Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries and regions.
- Apple Books
- Apple News
- App Store
- Automator
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Chess
- Contacts
- Dashboard
- Dictionary
- DVD Player
- FaceTime
- Find My
- Font Book
- Home
- Image Capture
- Launchpad
- Maps
- Messages
- Mission Control
- Music
- Notes
- Photo Booth
- Photos
- Podcasts
- Preview
- QuickTime Player
- Reminders
- Safari
- Siri
- Stickies
- Stocks
- System Preferences
- TextEdit
- Time Machine
- TV
- Voice Memos
- Activity Monitor
- AirPort Utility
- Audio MIDI Setup
- Bluetooth File Exchange
- Boot Camp Assistant
- ColorSync Utility
- Console
- Digital Color Meter
- Disk Utility
Mac High Sierra Requirement
- Grapher
- Keychain Access
- Migration Assistant
- Screenshot
- Screen Time
- Script Editor
- Sidecar
- System Information
- Terminal
- VoiceOver Utility
Minimum Requirements For Mac Os Sierra
- Arabic
- Catalan
- Croatian
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong)
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English (Australia)
- English (UK)
- English (U.S.)
- Finnish
- French
- French (Canada)
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
Macos Sierra Requirements
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Malay
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Slovak
- Spanish
- Spanish (Latin America)
- Swedish
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese