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MacOS Sequoia

MacOS 15 Sequoia. Should you update to macOS Sequoia? New features in macOS Sequoia. How to install the Mac OS Sequoia software.

MacOS 15 Sequoia was released September 16, 2024. The new macOS release was announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, 2024. Users report that macOS Sequoia is stable and reliable. The new features in macOS Sequoia are well-received and the upgrade is recommended for most users.

Before you get started

You'll need a terminal application to get full use of your Mac. Apple includes the Mac terminal but I prefer Warp Terminal. Warp is an easy-to-use terminal application, with AI assistance to help you learn and remember terminal commands. Download Warp Terminal now; it's FREE and worth a try.

How to update macOS

Unless your Mac is old and slow, you should update to macOS Sequoia. Updating your macOS is straightforward but takes time.

To update to macOS Sequoia, see the article

The time it takes to update your Mac can vary widely based on several factors such as the size of the update, your Internet speed, and the age and performance of your Mac. The update from macOS Sonoma to macOS Sequoia can take more than an hour.

Should you update to macOS Sequoia?

For a deeper look at the issues you should consider before updating to macOS Sequoia, see the articles Sonoma vs Sequoia and Should You Update to macOS Sequoia?.

In most cases, you should update to the latest non-beta macOS version. Apple's public software releases are well-tested and stable. It's rare to encounter significant issues when updating to a new macOS version.

There are good reasons to hesitate if you have an older, Intel-based Mac. For many years, each new macOS version has required more resources than the previous version. If you have an older Mac, you may find that the new macOS version runs slowly. Newer Macs using the Apple Silicon M1, M2, or M3 chips are fast enough to handle the latest macOS releases, but if your Mac is Intel-based you may want to stick with the macOS version that's currently installed.

The value in macOS Sequoia

In general, macOS Sequoia is worth the upgrade. Apple continually improves security and fixes bugs and it's important to use the latest version if you are developing software or trying to stay compatible with new software versions.

MacOS is very mature and there are seldom any major changes in the user interface or the way the operating system works. Two significant UI improvements in MacOS Sequoia will make the upgrade worthwhile.

New features in macOS Sequoia

Password Manager: MacOS Sequoia adds a new app called Passwords, improving the way users manage their login credentials. Built on the existing framework of Apple's Keychain, this app consolidates passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and other essential credentials into one secure, centralized location. Credentials previously could be edited in System Settings but they were buried and hard to find. The new Passwords app will largely eliminate the need to use third-party password managers such as 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden.

Window Tiling: For years, Windows users have complained that MacOS lacks a tiling window manager. MacOS Sequoia adds a new feature called Window Tiling, which allows users to drag windows to the edge of the screen for placement side by side, top and bottom, or in a grid. Third-party utilities have more features but the built-in Window Tiling is a welcome addition.

These two features make an upgrade worthwhile. In addition, Apple has included other capabilities.

iPhone Mirroring: This feature allows the use of iPhone apps within a macOS window. Users can now check iPhone notifications directly on their Mac, making the Mac an extension of the iPhone. One user noted, “No longer do I have to find my phone when I am at home sitting in front of my Mac just to check on notification.”

Seamless Drag and Drop Between Devices: This feature aims to improve the reliability of transferring files between iPhone and Mac, addressing issues with AirDrop. "Transferring files from Mac to an iPhone Apps no longer requires 5+ tedious steps," a user mentioned.

Apple Intelligence: MacOS Sequoia will introduce the first use of Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI intiative. Apple Intelligence comprises new system-level capabilities, leveraging Apple custom silicon for both local and cloud-based processing. This is more of a future prospect as AI gets baked in to more applications, but we may see improvements to Siri in macOS Sequoia. Note that these capabilities won't be present when you install macOS Sequoia on an Intel-based Mac.

Small changes in macOS Sequoia

System Settings: Individual menus have been rearranged for quicker access to frequently used menus.

Safari: The web browser has faster page load times, a new start page, and a brand new unified menu similar to "compact mode" on iOS. It can summarize websites and highlight relevant information.

Notes: Minor improvements including collapsible sections and a choice of highlight styles. Also, Notes adds support for live audio transcription and math equations.

Videoconferencing: Preview what you share in video calls for presentations and screen sharing. Also, background replacements are built into the macOS video feed so you won't need to use background replacements in Zoom or other conferencing apps.

Details of macOS Sequoia changes

For a comprehensive look at the changes in macOS Sequoia, see the Beta Profiles forum:

What users are saying

For users' general sentiment or reports of issues, take a look at these forums:

Set up and what you may need

After you update macOS, continue to Mac Setup for Sequoia.

You may also want to install newer software on your Mac. For developing software on the Mac, I recommend:

What's next

My mac.install.guide is a trusted source of installation guides for professional developers. Take a look at the Mac Install Guide home page for tips and trends and see what to install next.