macOS

audience all
level all
topic macOS
subtopic use

Sonoma vs Sequoia

Sonoma vs Sequoia. Compare macOS Sonoma to Sequoia. New features in macOS Sequoia. Should you update from Sonoma to Sequoia?

MacOS Sequoia is the new version of the macOS operating system. It was released September 16, 2024.

Let's compare macOS Sonoma to Sequoia, looking at new features, stability, and speed, so you can decide if you should upgrade from Sonoma to Sequoia.

Before the release

Whether you update to macOS Sequoia now or wait until later, 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.

Should you update from Sonoma to Sequoia?

At a glance:

  1. On or after September 16, 2024, when the final version is released, you should update from Sonoma to Sequoia.
  2. You can wait a few weeks after the release to see if minor updates fix any unforeseen issues.
  3. There are no important changes for your Mac in macOS Sequoia. However, the new Passwords application is convenient and the Window Tiling feature is useful. The iPhone Mirroring and Seamless Drag and Drop Between Devices are also convenient additions.
  4. Users are reporting macOS Sequoia is faster, with better battery life on laptops, and the beta version only had typical minor issues.
  5. If you have an older, Intel-based Mac, macOS Sequoia will be slow and you should stick with the macOS version that is currently installed.

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

To update to macOS Sequoia, see the article:

The update from macOS Sonoma to macOS Sequoia can take more than an hour. 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.

Why upgrade to macOS Sequoia?

Users are reporting macOS Sequoia is faster, with better battery life on laptops. Two new features, the Password Manager and Window Tiling, are convenient.

Apple continually improves security and fixes bugs. It's important to use the latest version if you are developing software or staying compatible as new software is released.

Is macOS Sequoia stable?

Yes, users report it is stable.

Is macOS Sequoia compatible?

The MacRumors forum has a list of macOS Sequoia Working and Non-Working Apps.

Is macOS Sequoia very different from Sonoma?

MacOS is very mature and there are seldom any major changes in the user interface or the way the operating system works. MacOS Ventura (version 13), released in October 2022, changed System Preferences to System Settings with major overhaul of the user interface. MacOS Sonoma (version 14), released in September 2023, introduced mostly minor improvements. MacOS Sequoia (version 15), released in September 2024, added a few new features but is largely similar to the previous version. Still, the upgrade is worth it.

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 announced 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 thorough 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:

Other Software 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:

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.