Upgrading macOS doesn’t always go as planned. A new release might slow down your Mac, break essential apps, introduce bugs, or simply change features you rely on. If you’re wishing you could go back to the version you had before, the good news is that you can downgrade macOS.

While reverting a macOS update is generally easier than downgrading an iOS update, it’s not as simple as installing macOS. It is a multi-step process that typically requires wiping your Mac’s internal drive, as Apple does not allow installing an older version of the operating system directly over a newer one.

Because you need to erase your Mac’s internal drive before you can reinstall an older version of the operating system, your data must be backed up first. The exact process depends on whether you created a backup before upgrading macOS.

In this guide, we run through the safest way to revert to an earlier version of macOS, explain what works (and what doesn’t), and help you choose the best method for your situation.

Note: macOS 27 Golden Gate runs only on Macs with Apple silicon, so the main Golden Gate-to-Tahoe instructions in this article are for Apple-silicon Macs. We cover older Intel Macs separately below for readers using this guide to downgrade an earlier version of macOS.

What to do if the older macOS won’t install

Check the following:

• Confirm that the Mac model supports the version you are installing.
• Confirm that the full installer is in the Applications folder and is named correctly before creating the USB installer.
• Connect the installer directly rather than through a hub or dock.
• Make sure the Mac is connected to the internet.
• Re-create the installer if Terminal says it is invalid or the installation fails repeatedly.
• Confirm that the internal startup volume was erased as APFS.

Installing macOS 27 may also update the Mac’s firmware. Installing Tahoe later does not necessarily roll that firmware back; a macOS downgrade and a firmware downgrade are not the same operation.

Tips to avoid problems and data loss when you downgrade macOS

Reversing an upgrade carries a number of wrinkles and pitfalls. Many are caused by changes in file formats and settings between versions of the operating system. If you create a document or work on a file in a newer version of macOS and then try to open it in an older version, it may not work.

Where possible, export important documents in standard or widely compatible formats before erasing the Mac. For example, you could export a document as RTF or PDF in addition to retaining its native version.

Take screenshots of preferences and settings

Whenever you perform a clean installation of macOS, it’s a good idea to take screenshots of custom settings in apps and System Settings. That makes it easier to re-create them later.

Make a note of account details for anything you set up while running the newer operating system. Export bookmarks if they are not synchronized, and make sure you have access to application installers, subscriptions and license codes.

Synchronize cloud services

If you use Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or another cloud storage service, make sure synchronization has completed before starting the downgrade. Files visible in a synchronized folder may not have finished uploading.

If you use Gmail, iCloud Mail or another IMAP service, make sure recent mail and drafts have synchronized. If you use a POP3 account, manually back up locally stored mail before erasing the Mac.

Finally, keep the Golden Gate backup intact until you have confirmed that Tahoe starts correctly and that all essential documents have been recovered. Do not erase or repurpose the backup drive merely because the downgrade appears to have completed.

Downgrading an older Intel Mac

Golden Gate does not support Intel Macs. These instructions are for if you want to downgrade an earlier macOS release on an Intel Mac.

Intel Macs start from a bootable installer by holding Option (Alt) at startup. Macs with the Apple T2 Security Chip may also need Startup Security Utility configured to allow booting from external or removable media. See our bootable macOS installer guide for the complete Apple-silicon, Intel and T2 instructions.

An Intel Mac may also be able to use Internet Recovery. Start it while holding:

• Shift-Option-Command-R to offer the macOS that came with the Mac, or the closest version still available.
• Option-Command-R to offer the latest macOS compatible with the Mac.
• Command-R to reinstall the current version.

Internet Recovery cannot install a version older than the one the Mac supports, and the exact version offered can vary.

Die Funktion „Bereinigen“ in Fotos, mit der sich störende Objekte bisher aus einem Bild entfernen ließen, war nur begrenzt nützlich. Bei kleineren und nicht zu komplexen Objekten konnte das Ergebnis zwar brauchbar sein, primär in den Fällen, in denen der zuvor von dem Objekt verdeckte Hintergrund einfache Strukturen hatte. Aber für aufwendigere Retuschen mussten Sie andere Werkzeuge verwenden.

Apple Intelligence

In macOS 27 Golden Gate bekommt Fotos jetzt Zugriff auf Apple Intelligence, um unerwünschte Objekte mithilfe von KI zu entfernen. Mit der KI können Sie aber nicht nur besser retuschieren. Bilder lassen sich nun auch erweitern, und Sie können die Bildperspektive ändern. Für alle diese Funktionen ist der Zugriff auf Apples Server notwendig. Ohne Internetverbindung geht es also nicht.

Die neuen Funktionen verlassen sich dabei auf Private Cloud Compute, also auf größere Modelle auf Servern mit Apple-Chip. Diese können komplexere Anfragen bearbeiten als lokale Modelle, sollen aber laut Apple die Privatsphäre der Anwender schützen. 

Fotos besser bereinigen

Wir haben in Fotos drei Bilder ausgewählt, und diese mit der neuen Funktion „Bereinigen“ bearbeitet. Dabei haben Sie die Wahl zwischen drei Einstellungen: „Hohe Qualität“, „Schnell“ und „Automatisch“. Bei „Automatisch“ entscheidet Fotos selbst, welches Verfahren angewendet werden soll. Zudem haben wir dieselben Bilder auch nochmals mit Fotos unter macOS 26 mit der Funktion „Bereinigen“ bearbeitet.

Wählen wir die Option „Schnell“, entsprechen die Ergebnisse weitgehend denjenigen, die wir auch unter macOS 26 Tahoe bekommen. Bei zwei unserer Testbilder ist diese Option nicht brauchbar. Nur beim dritten Bild, bei dem wir ein Auto vor einer Kirche entfernen lassen, kann man mit dem Ergebnis leben.

Beim Bereinigen mit hoher Qualität braucht es einige Zeit, bis sich das Ergebnis einstellt. Ein Fortschrittsbalken zeigt jeweils an, wie weit die Bearbeitung fortgeschritten ist.

Bildausschnitt erweitern

Es passiert bisweilen, dass man beim Aufnehmen eines Fotos den Bildausschnitt nicht gut genug gewählt hat und dann an den Bildrändern etwas abgeschnitten ist, etwa eine Kirchturmspitze oder eine Baumkrone. In Fotos können Sie nun mit der Funktion „Erweitern“ den Bildern an den Seiten neuen Inhalt hinzufügen. Dazu ziehen Sie an dem sich einblendenden Rahmen in die gewünschte Richtung. Das ist aber nicht endlos möglich, sondern nur in einem begrenzten Umfang.

Das Erweitern ist zudem sinnvoll, wenn Sie einen Horizont begradigen möchten, dabei das Bild dann aber an einer Stelle beschnitten wird. Der neue Bildinhalt wird von Apple Intelligence anhand der vorhandenen Bildinhalte berechnet und hinzugefügt. Das Bild ist dann aber teilweise von KI generiert, entspricht also nicht mehr ganz dem fotografierten Objekt. So kann insbesondere eine hinzugefügte Kirchturmspitze etwas anders aussehen als in der Realität.

Perspektive ändern

Die dritte Funktion „Neu ausrichten“ ermöglicht es, die Perspektive eines Bildes zu ändern. Sobald Sie diese Funktion gewählt haben, blenden sich in der Werkzeugleiste mehrere Schieberegler ein, über die Sie einzelne Aspekte der Perspektive ändern können. Oder Sie bewegen den Mauszeiger über das Bild und bewegen den Bildinhalt, bis dieser ihren Vorstellungen entspricht.

Auch beim Perspektivenwechsel generiert die KI neue Bildinhalte. Das Bild entspricht dann ebenfalls nicht mehr der Realität, sondern ist in Teilen von der KI generiert.

Fazit

Die neuen Bildbearbeitungsfunktionen mithilfe von Apple Intelligence ermöglichen nicht unerhebliche Eingriffe in das Originalbild. Erkennbar ist das für einen Betrachter aber nicht. In diese Bilder wird ein unsichtbares Wasserzeichen eingebettet, das dann mit entsprechenden Werkzeugen erkannt werden kann.

Auf dieser Webseite von Apple steht dazu: „In Fotos, die mit Apple Intelligence bearbeitet worden sind, erscheint ein unsichtbares SynthID-Wasserzeichen. Daran lässt sich erkennen, welche Fotos mit KI bearbeitet worden sind.“ 

SynthID wurde von Google entwickelt und ist Open Source. Wir haben drei der von uns generierten Bilder an Gemini übergeben und gefragt, ob sie ein Wasserzeichen enthalten. Aber obwohl SynthID von Google stammt, wird kein Wasserzeichen erkannt. Vielleicht erkennt Gemini nur das Wasserzeichen in einem von Gemini selbst erstellten oder manipulierten Bild.

Brace yourself: The way you get around the web on Android is about to get a whole lot better.

This week, the excellent Vivaldi Android browser is rolling out an update that adds in support for the entire collection of Chrome Web Store browser extensions. That means you can enhance and adjust your mobile web experience with all sorts of interesting — and potentially shape-shifting — new improvements.

Vivaldi, if you aren’t familiar, is a browser based on the same Chromium foundation that powers Google’s standard Chrome browser, but it has a ton of extra features and options that make for an even more personalized and productive experience. I started using it on all of my devices earlier this year and haven’t looked back since.

Now, with complete Chrome extension support added into the mix on Android, the advantage is growing even greater.

I’ll be honest, though: When I first saw that Vivaldi was adding in Chrome extension support for Android, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Most of the extensions I use in my desktop browser just wouldn’t make sense on the mobile front and wouldn’t add much of meaningful value in that environment.

But then I put on my thinking cap. I did some deep digging and careful considering. And I found some Chrome extensions that actually work incredibly well in the Android arena and add a lot of interesting value into the mobile web adventure.

This is the first of a two-part collection. Today, we’ll look at five Chrome extensions that you can add into Vivaldi to save yourself steps and bring a welcome efficiency boost to your Android web work. Later this week, we’ll round out the list with another set of extensions that’ll improve the internet itself in some truly intriguing ways.

Ready to reinvent how you experience the web on your phone?

[Get fresh Android tips in your inbox with my free Android Intelligence newsletter — one useful new thing to try every Friday!] 

A quick primer on Android Chrome extension installation

Real quick, before we get into the good stuff: When you’re ready to try out an extension, you’ll need to have the latest version of the Vivaldi Android app on your device (obviously, right?) — then either tap the puzzle-shaped extensions icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen, if you see it, or tap the “V”-shaped main menu icon in the upper-right corner and select “Extensions” from there.

Either way you go, you’ll see an option to “Discover more extensions.” That’ll take you to the Chrome Web Store, where you can search or browse through all the available extensions and install anything with a couple quick taps.

I’ll also provide direct links to each extension I’m recommending below, so you can tap it to open it in Vivaldi on your phone and then install it directly from there.

Note, too, that that same Vivaldi Extensions menu is where you can access and manage any installed extensions moving forward. You’ll see every extension you’ve installed there, and you can deactivate or uninstall anything as well as opt to have its icon pinned into your browser toolbar for easy ongoing access.

Chrome Android extension #1: The cookie request crumbler

Our first Android Chrome extension worth considering is one that you won’t ever open or actively think about once you install it and set it up. It’s a tool that works silently in the background to automatically handle those irksome cookie preference prompts that pop up around the web — so they’ll always get answered in the way you prefer, but you’ll never actually have to see or deal with ’em (and have ’em blocking half your view, in a mobile web scenario!) again.

It’s called Consent-o-Matic, and the way it works is simple: You install it, open its options page once to tell it which cookies you do and don’t want to allow around the web — and that’s pretty much it. From there on out, it’ll just click on all those prompts that pop up for you, based on your preferences, and they won’t interfere with your work or irritate you anymore.

One option to look at while you’re in that initial setup area is in the “Display” tab at the top of the screen. By default, Consent-O-Matic will show any pop-ups it’s handling in a small overlay in the corner of the screen — but you can eliminate that entirely and make the process completely out of sight and invisible, if you want.

Yes, please — and thank you.

Chrome Android extension #2: 404 no more

Next is another quietly useful addition, and that’s the official Chrome extension for the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive.

With the Wayback Machine extension active in your Android web browser, anytime you land on a page that for whatever reason isn’t online anymore or just isn’t available at that particular moment, you’ll see an offer to go to the page’s most recent cached version.

You can also call the extension up on demand to search for older saved versions of any pages by either pinning its icon to your Vivaldi toolbar or long-pressing a link within any page you’re viewing to reveal its menu of options.

Chrome Android extension #3: A background open shortcut

I don’t know about you, but when I’m wading my way around the web, I find myself opening links a lot — often with the intent to look at ’em later.

Typically, that requires long-pressing on the link and then finding the option to open it in a background tab. But with a handy extension called DoubleClicker, that same action can be easier than ever.

Install DoubleClicker into your Android Vivaldi browser, and that’s it: From that moment forward, you can simply double-tap your finger on any link within any page, and it’ll open instantly as a background tab — waiting and ready for when you want it and without any waiting, poking around, or other interruptions to your workflow.

This might just be my favorite addition of all.

Chrome Android extension #4: Hands-free scrolling

The next time you’re reading something on your phone, keep a little somethin’ called Auto Scroll Extension in mind.

As its name suggests, the extension lets you set any speed you like and then simply tap its icon (which works best if you pin it to your toolbar) to automatically scroll the page for you — so you can keep reading without having to do a thing.

Chrome Android extension #5: Easier password access

Last but not least for this list is an addition that seems strange on the surface — but hear me out:

If you’re using an Android password manager other than the Google Password Manager — like 1Password or Bitwarden — try installing its extension into Vivaldi on your phone.

Yes, it’s redundant with having the standalone app installed and set as your system-wide password management service. But it often ends up being faster and easier to have a sign-in handled directly within the browser instead of having to rely on the system-level integration.

And having the browser-based option present doesn’t prevent you from using the other route, either. You’ve just got options, and you can pick whichever feels fastest and easiest to you at any given moment.

Try it out for yourself and see whatcha think. And stay tuned for the second set of worthwhile Android Chrome extensions soon!

Your next mission: Come check out my free Android Intelligence newsletter to get something new and useful in your inbox every Friday — and get my awesome Android Notification Power-Pack today.

Wollte man bisher mit einem Klick auf das Plus-Symbol in der Wallet-App selbst eine Karte hinzufügen, gab es nur die Optionen „Debit- oder Kreditkarte“ und „ÖPNV-Karte“. Letztere gibt es in Europa nur für den Großraum Paris mit der Navigo-Karte. Das Deutschland-Ticket in die Wallet zu bekommen, war ungleich schwieriger. Das ändert sich mit iOS 27.

Für das manuelle Hinzufügen von Karten gibt es jetzt eine dritte Option: „Karte erstellen“. Und so geht’s:

1. Öffnen Sie auf Ihrem iPhone die App „Wallet“ und tippen Sie auf das Plus-Symbol oben, rechts von der Mitte.
2. Anschließend wählen Sie die neue Option „Karte erstellen“ mit einem Tipp darauf aus und tippen anschließend auf „Fortfahren“.
3. Sie haben drei weitere Auswahlmöglichkeiten: „Standard“, „Mitgliedschaft“ und „Ereignis“. Wir entscheiden uns für „Standard“.
4. Dort können Sie sechs Felder konfigurieren mit eigenen Texten oder einem bestimmten Datum. Bei der „Mitgliedschaft“ ist es ein Feld mehr, während es für „Ereignis“ dedizierte Felder für den Sitzplatz gibt.
5. Anschließend müssen Sie noch einen Code hinzufügen. Dabei öffnet sich die Kamera-App und Sie können den auf der Konzertkarte oder dem Mitgliedsausweis gedruckten QR‑Code fotografieren. Alternativ geben Sie den Code in Ziffern ein, wenn vorhanden.
6. Die Karte erscheint nun in der Wallet auf dem iPhone und der Apple Watch, sofern die Geräte auf dem aktuellen Stand sind.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows runs inside Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or Boot Camp on a Mac without a second Microsoft 365 subscription, and a lifetime license is on sale for $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

There’s a cheap way to get Microsoft Office running on the Windows side of a Mac, and it doesn’t involve paying for a second Microsoft 365 subscription on top of whatever the Mac already runs. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows installs once inside Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or a Boot Camp partition, and a lifetime license for one PC, virtual or physical, is on sale for $54.99 (reg. $249.99).

Running Windows through Parallels or Boot Camp already means keeping two operating systems working side by side, and adding a subscription-based Office on top of that turns one Mac into two ongoing software bills.

A one-time license keeps the cost fixed no matter how long the Windows partition stays in use, which matters for anyone who only opens Windows a few times a month for a specific app or workflow.

What’s included with the Windows license

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• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access all activate with the license and run natively within the Windows installation, just as they would on a Windows-native machine.
• Dark mode carries over from the subscription version of Office.
• Excel and Access include the same data analysis and database management tools found in Microsoft 365, useful for budgets or spreadsheets built on the Windows side of the Mac.
• Licensing is tied to the Windows PC or VM itself rather than to a Microsoft account, so the license stays in place after a macOS update, a Parallels upgrade, or a fresh Boot Camp partition.
• Redemption happens within 7 days of purchase, with the license key and download link arriving by email.
• Security patches continue for as long as Microsoft supports the release.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows on sale for $54.99.

Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Mit der Vorstellung der Apple Watch Series 12 und Ultra 4 hat Apple ein neues Health-Sensing-System vorgestellt. Die neuen energieschonenden LED-Sensoren messen die Herzfrequenz alle fünf Sekunden. Auch die Herzfrequenzvariabilität wird deutlich öfter als bislang gemessen. Apple spricht von 24-mal öfter als auf den Vorgängern wie der Apple Watch Series 11. Doch wie oft und wie genau misst die Apple Watch bislang die wichtigen gesundheitlichen Parameter? Die Antworten auf diese Fragen versteckt Apple in Support-Dokumenten. Für manche Messungen gibt es gar keine offiziellen Angaben – wir haben dafür die Health-App etwas aufgebohrt.

Wie oft misst die Apple Watch (Series 11) meine Pulsdaten?

Die Antwort auf diese Frage hängt von der Situation und von den Einstellungen Ihrer Apple Watch ab. In einem Trainingsmodus misst die Apple Watch die Herzfrequenz alle fünf Sekunden. Auch die ersten drei Minuten nach dem Training misst die Watch den Puls in dieser hohen Frequenz. Es gibt jedoch noch eine spezielle Einstellung für lange Trainings, wobei der Nutzer oder die Nutzerin bei Bedarf den Stromsparmodus aktivieren kann. Hier behauptet Apple, die Messungen würden seltener durchgeführt. Ich habe mit dem Referenzgerät in Form des Brustgurtes Polar H10 ein HIIT-Training aufgezeichnet. Das gleiche Training startete ich auch auf der Apple Watch Series 11.

Die Apple Watch misst tatsächlich die Herzfrequenz alle fünf Sekunden, wenn der Inhaber oder die Inhaberin trainiert. Messungen im Stromsparmodus im Training geschehen ebenfalls alle fünf Sekunden. Allerdings pausiert hier das System die Messung für mehrere Minuten. Das heißt, der Puls wird in kurzen Zeitabschnitten alle 5 Sekunden gemessen, dann macht die Apple Watch Pause. Dies sieht man auf dem Diagramm der gemessenen Herzfrequenzen des Trainings bis zu der grünen Linie: Bis dahin lief die Apple Watch im Stromsparmodus, danach habe ich ihn abgeschaltet.

Apropos Stromsparmodus. Wenn der Modus die ganze Zeit aktiviert ist, finden keine Hintergrundmessungen statt, weder der Herzfrequenzen, noch der Herzfrequenzvariabilität. Bei den Vitalzeichen nach einer aufgezeichneten Nacht fehlt zudem noch die Sauerstoffsättigung in der Nacht.

Die Apple Watch kann auch den Puls jede Sekunde messen, wie die Brustgurte beim Training. Diese Messungen passieren jedoch nur sporadisch: bei der nutzerinitiierten EKG‑Messung und bei der HRV-Messung im Hintergrund. Wenn Sie die EKG-App starten und den Finger auf die digitale Krone auflegen, zeigen die Animation auf der Watch und das anschließend generierte PDF die Pulswerte für jede Sekunde. Auch bei der HRV-Messung registriert die Apple Watch im Laufe einer Minute jede Herzfrequenz und berechnet danach nach einer speziellen Formel den Zeitabstand nach den einzelnen Herzschlägen.

Im Hintergrund und vor allem in der Nacht im Schlaf misst die Apple Watch die Herzfrequenz alle fünf Minuten. Allerdings sind die Messungen nicht so regelmäßig wie beim Sport. Die Abstände können im Ruhezustand stärker schwanken.

Ich habe aus der Health-App Messungen einer Beispiel-Nacht exportiert und ausgewertet. In dem Diagramm oben ist aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit lediglich eine Stunde dargestellt. In sechseinhalb Stunden Schlaf hat die Apple Watch 83 Messungen erstellt. Der durchschnittliche Abstand zwischen den Messungen beläuft sich hier auf 4 Minuten 39 Sekunden, wobei auch Pausen von 16 Minuten, oder auch 40 Sekunden möglich sind.

Wie genau misst die Apple Watch die Herzfrequenzdaten?

Apple hat bei der Vorstellung der Apple Watch Series 12 behauptet, die neue Smartwatch sei der genaueste Fitness-Tracker im Bereich Herzfrequenz auf dem Markt. Während wir die Aussage nur bei einem Test überprüfen können, lässt sich anhand älterer Modelle feststellen, dass die Apple Watch auch davor recht genau war, was die Pulsmessung angeht.

Bereits beim Test der Apple Watch Ultra 3 haben wir festgestellt, dass die Ultra in ihren Messungen nur sehr wenig von den Werten des Brustgurtes abweicht. Ich habe das gleiche HIIT-Training von oben mit der Apple Watch Series 11 ausgewertet. Aus dem Verlauf der beiden Kurven ergibt sich das folgende Bild. Im Schnitt misst die Apple Watch den Puls beim Sport recht genau.

Der Korrelationsquotient zwischen den beiden Messungen des Polar H10 und der Apple Watch Series 11 beträgt 0,95. Das heißt, die Apple Watch misst recht nah dran an einem Brustgurt. Im Schnitt unterscheiden sich die beiden Werte um lediglich einen Schlag. Allerdings gibt es Ausreißer: Je höher der Herzschlag, desto ungenauer wird die Messung. Das sieht man auf der Linie bei dem Puls mit 160 Schlägen pro Minute und mehr. Auch beim Stromsparmodus ist die Messung eher ungenau, da die Apple Watch die Ausschläge bei der Herzfrequenz durch den sporadischen Modus ganz verpassen kann.

Fazit

Die Neuerungen, die Apple für die Apple Watch Series 12 und Ultra 4 angekündigt hat, sind spannend, weil sie die gesamten Algorithmen der Herzfrequenzmessung gewissermaßen auf den Kopf stellen. Apple hat jedoch nicht erklärt, wie oft die neue Watch den Puls im Sport messen wird – bleibt sie bei fünf Sekunden wie bislang oder wird sie jede Sekunde den Puls messen? Auch ist bislang unbekannt, wie oft und ob überhaupt die Herzfrequenz beim Stromsparmodus gemessen wird. Das werden wir in unseren Tests herausfinden.

Apple Intelligence hat in macOS 27 Golden Gate unter anderem in Fotos, in den Kurzbefehlen und in Safari Einzug gehalten. Aber auch Image Playground greift nun tiefer in die KI-Kiste als bisher. Neue Optionen finden wir zudem in Notizen, Freeform und in der Wetter-App. Und Spotlight präsentiert seine Suchergebnisse jetzt gefühlt deutlich schneller als bisher.

Fotorealistische Bilder

Image Playground war bisher eher eine Spielwiese, auf der man nette gemalte oder gezeichnete Bilder und Genmojis erstellen konnte. Unter macOS 27 Golden Gate ist das Programm jetzt aber in der Lage, fotorealistische Bilder zu erzeugen oder Fotos fotorealistisch zu verändern.

So gelingt es uns beispielsweise, einen roten VW-Bus in einen blauen VW-Bus umzufärben. Dabei wird nur die Farbe getauscht, der Rest bleibt wie das Original. Und auch das Nummernschild wird auf Aufforderung hin unkenntlich gemacht. In einem anderen Foto ersetzt Image Playground die Kopfhaare des Autors durch eine Glatze, verlängert den Bart und färbt ihn schwarz. Dass es sich dabei um eine KI-Bearbeitung handelt, ist, zumindest auf den ersten Blick, nicht zu erkennen.

Die Aufforderung, ein fotorealistisches Bild der Golden Gate Bridge und der Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg zu erstellen, führt ebenfalls zum Erfolg. Bei der Brücke ist zuerst nur der linke Pfeiler zu sehen. Auf Aufforderung hin generiert Image Playground dann ein Bild mit der kompletten Brücke. Die App fügt einem Foto mit Meerblick ein Segelschiff hinzu und setzt dann auch noch die Segel. Und in der letzten Aufgabe erstellt das Programm ein im leicht impressionistischen Stil gehaltenes Bild der Münchner Frauenkirche.

Was uns auffällt: Image Playground weigert sich, Bilder von realen Personen zu erstellen, auch wenn diese schon seit Längerem oder sehr lange tot sind. Eine Zeichnung von Winston Churchill oder Heinrich VIII. können wir darum nicht erzeugen. Und auch die Aufforderung, ein Bild von Prinz Eisenherz im Stil von Harold R. Foster oder Daisy Duck mit einer Latzhose zu zeichnen, gelingt nicht. Hier scheint eine Bremse zu greifen, um keine Kopien von künstlerischen Werken oder Abbildungen von Personen des öffentlichen Lebens zu erstellen.

Zeichnen in Notizen und Freeform

Sowohl in Notizen als auch in Freeform können Sie jetzt zeichnen und dazu das Trackpad oder die Maus verwenden. Das ist zwar nicht so effektiv wie auf einem iPad mit Zeichenstift, das sich dafür natürlich wesentlich besser eignet. Aber für schnelle Skizzen ist das tauglich. In Notizen können Sie zudem digitalisierte Unterschriften erzeugen und einfügen, so wie es bisher schon in Vorschau möglich ist. Dabei greift Notizen auch auf die in Vorschau schon verfügbaren Unterschriften zu.

Noch zwei weitere Neuerungen hat Freeform aufzuweisen. Die Boards lassen sich jetzt in Ordnern ablegen, die Sie über ein neues Symbol in der Seitenleiste anlegen. Und wenn Sie den dunklen Modus einschalten, passt sich Freeform nun daran an. Auch die Zeichenfläche wird dunkel.

Übersichtlicheres Wetter

In der Wetter-App sind die einzelnen Kacheln neu angeordnet worden. Für die Vorhersagen für die nächsten zehn Tage gibt es zudem zwei neue Ansichten: eine für Niederschlag und eine für Wind. Anstatt der Balken für die Minimal- und die Maximaltemperatur sowie für die Bewölkung gibt es dann eine Anzeige der Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit und für die Regenmenge beziehungsweise für die Windgeschwindigkeit und die Verteilung über den Tag.

Was es bald nicht mehr gibt

In neuen Systemversionen schneidet Apple auch regelmäßig alte Zöpfe ab. Für macOS 27 Golden Gate trifft das vorrangig auf Macs mit Intel-Prozessor zu, die das neue System nicht mehr unterstützen. Viele der Apps in macOS 27 sind darum auch keine Universal-Anwendungen mehr, sondern enthalten nur noch Code für Apple-Chips. Rosetta 2, mit dessen Hilfe sich noch Apps verwenden lassen, die nur Code für Intel-Chips verwenden, ist zwar noch dabei, wird aber in der nächsten Version von macOS nicht mehr enthalten sein. Dank Rosetta funktioniert der alte Laserdrucker des Autors weiterhin, für den es schon seit Langem keine aktuellen Treiber mehr gibt.

In der Dokumentation für Entwickler weist Apple zwar darauf hin, dass das Framework „DVDPlayback“ im Software Development Kit (SDK) nicht mehr enthalten ist. Den DVD Player von Apple gibt es aber weiterhin als App für Apple-Chips, und auch das schon vor Jahren von Apple ausgemusterte Superdrive funktioniert unter Golden Gate. Alternativ lassen sich DVDs auch mit anderen Apps wie VLC abspielen.

Einen weiteren Hinweis finden wir ebenfalls in Apples Dokumentation: Zukünftige Versionen von macOS werden keine verschlüsselten Medien im Format HFS+ unterstützen. Sofern Sie also beispielsweise noch ältere Backups in diesem Format haben und diese weiterhin benötigen, müssen Sie die Daten auf einem anderen Datenträger mit einem anderen Format sichern. Zudem sollten Sie keine Backups mehr auf Datenträger mit diesem Format sichern.

Since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007, Apple has released dozens of versions of iOS, introducing new features, design changes, performance improvements, security updates and more. From the early days of iPhone OS through landmark releases such as iOS 7, iOS 14 and the current iOS 27, each version has changed the way we use the iPhone.

Whether you’re trying to identify the version running on your iPhone, check compatibility before upgrading, or find out which releases are still supported, this guide covers every version of iPhone OS and iOS in chronological order – from the original iPhone OS 1 to iOS 27.

Discover the major features introduced with each release, from the App Store and copy and paste to widgets, Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI introduced with iOS 27.

Below, you’ll find a complete list of iOS versions in order, along with release dates, key features, compatibility and support information.

List of iOS versions and latest versions

Here’s a breakdown of all the versions of iOS that have been released, when they were released, when they were last updated, and the latest iOS version.

OS version	Release date	Latest version	Latest update date
iPhone OS 1	June 29, 2007	iOS 1.1.5	July 15, 2008
iPhone OS 2	July 11, 2008	iOS 2.2.1	January 27, 2009
iPhone OS 3	June 17, 2009	iOS 3.2.2	August 11, 2010
iOS 4	June 22, 2010	iOS 4.3.5	July 25, 2011
iOS 5	October 12, 2011	iOS 5.1.1	May 7, 2012
iOS 6	September 19, 2012	iOS 6.1.6	February 21, 2014
iOS 7	September 18, 2013	iOS 7.1.2	June 30, 2014
iOS 8	September 17, 2014	iOS 8.4.1	August 13, 2015
iOS 9	September 16, 2015	iOS 9.3.6	July 22, 2019
iOS 10	September 13, 2016	iOS 10.3.4	July 22, 2019
iOS 11	September 19, 2017	iOS 11.4.1	July 9, 2018
iOS 12	September 17, 2018	iOS 12.5.8	January 26, 2026
iOS 13	September 19, 2019	iOS 13.7	September 1, 2020
iOS 14	September 17, 2020	iOS 14.8.1	October 26, 2021
iOS 15	September 24, 2021	iOS 15.8.8	May 11, 2026
iOS 16	September 12, 2022	iOS 16.7.16	May 11, 2026
iOS 17	September 18, 2023	iOS 17.7.11	May 11, 2026
iOS 18	September 16, 2024	18.7.10	August 17, 2026
iOS 26	September 15, 2025	iOS 26.7	September 14, 2026
iOS 27	September 14, 2026	iOS 27	September 14, 2026

So, there it is. A potted history of iOS. Want to know about all the versions of macOS? Read: Mac OS X and macOS: Every version released so far. You can also find out what the latest version of macOS is.

Die Entwickler von Webkit listen auf ihrer Webseite 58 neue Funktionen sowie 525 Verbesserungen und Fehlerkorrekturen in der Rendering-Engine von Safari auf. Das betrifft natürlich vor allem Web-Entwickler. Wobei Anwender von weniger Fehlern und einer größeren Kompatibilität zu Webstandards natürlich ebenfalls etwas haben. Sämtliche Änderungen gelten sowohl für macOS 27 als auch für iOS 27 und iPadOS 27.

Apple Intelligence

Um vier Funktionen erweitert Apple Intelligence Safari 27: eine Option, die geöffnete Tabs automatisch nach Zusammengehörigkeit gruppiert, Mitteilungen, wenn sich der Inhalt einer Webseite ändert, sowie die Möglichkeit, Erweiterungen für eine Webseite zu erstellen. 

Die vierte Neuerung betrifft die Zusammenarbeit von Safari mit der App „Passwörter“. Diese ermöglicht es, in der App die als schwach oder mehrfach verwendet gelisteten Passwörter auf den betreffenden Webseiten automatisch von Safari ändern zu lassen. Noch können Sie das nicht ausprobieren, denn diese Funktion werden iOS 27 und macOS 27 erst mit einem späteren Update bekommen.

Tabs gruppieren

Die automatische Gruppierung von geöffneten Tabs nach Themen schalten Sie in den Einstellungen von Safari unter „Tabs“ ein. In der Seitenleiste werden die Tabs dann unter einem Obergriff untergeordnet und Sie können diese dort ein- oder ausblenden. In iOS und iPadOS finden Sie die Einstellung in der Tab-Ansicht hinter dem runden Symbol mit den drei horizontalen Linien in der oberen linken Ecke.

Suchen wir beispielsweise nach „Macbook Neo“ und öffnen nacheinander einzelne Links in einem neuen Tab, werden alle mit einer Ausnahme zuverlässig gruppiert. Auch bei der Suche nach „Schwarze Löcher“ fasst Safari die dann geöffneten Tabs unter dem Thema in der Seitenleiste zu einer Gruppe zusammen. Auf dem iPhone fehlt die Seitenleiste; stattdessen werden die Tabs in der App-Ansicht in separate „Boxen“ sortiert.

Mitteilungen zu Änderungen

Eine weitere neue Option sind Mitteilungen von Safari, wenn sich der Inhalt einer Webseite ändert. Die Mitteilungen aktivieren Sie für eine Webseite, indem Sie im Adressfeld auf die drei horizontalen Striche klicken. Es lassen sich stündliche, tägliche, wöchentliche oder monatliche Änderungen einstellen. Die betreffende Webseite muss für die Benachrichtigung nicht in einem Tab geöffnet sein. Klicken Sie die Mitteilung dann in der Mitteilungszentrale an, öffnet sich die Seite. Dort können Sie dann auch wählen, ob die Überwachung fortgesetzt oder beendet werden soll.

Erweiterungen

Über dasselbe Symbol im Adressfeld können Sie auch eine Safari-Erweiterung von Apple Intelligence erstellen lassen, für die es eine Reihe von Vorschlägen gibt. Sofern für eine Funktion Apps im App Store verfügbar sind, werden diese eingeblendet und Sie können sie kaufen und installieren. Andernfalls wird eine Erweiterung in Safari generiert.

Wir lassen eine der vorgeschlagenen Erweiterungen erstellen, die in ihrem Symbol in der Symbolleiste die geschätzte Lesedauer in Minuten mit einer Zahl einblendet. Eine andere kopiert den auf der Webseite markierten Text zusammen mit der URL in die Zwischenablage. Ist nichts markiert, werden der Titel der Seite und die URL kopiert.

Fazit

Die neuen Optionen von Apple Intelligence in Safari 27 finden wir hilfreich. Von den Fehlerkorrekturen und Verbesserungen in Webkit werden zudem nicht nur Entwickler, sondern auch alle Anwender profitieren. Etwas vermissen wir aber weiterhin in Safari 27: mehr Auswahl bei den Suchmaschinen. Hier bleibt es wie bisher bei der Liste mit fünf Anbietern und ohne Möglichkeit, diese Liste zu erweitern. 

Since the debut of Mac OS X in 2001, Apple has released dozens of versions of its Mac operating system, introducing new features, design updates, performance improvements, and more. From early big-cat releases such as Panther and Leopard to more recent California-inspired versions like Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe and Golden Gate, each release marked a new chapter in the Mac’s evolution.

Whether you’re trying to identify the version running on your Mac, check compatibility before upgrading, or find out which releases are still supported, this guide covers every Mac OS X and macOS version in chronological order – from the original Mac OS X Cheetah to macOS 27 Golden Gate.

Discover the major features introduced with each release, including Spotlight in Tiger, Time Machine in Leopard, Siri in Sierra and and the enhanced Spotlight search introduced in macOS 27 Golden Gate.

Below, you’ll find a complete list of macOS versions in order, along with release dates, codenames, key details and support information.

List of macOS versions and latest versions

Here’s an overview of every version of macOS and Mac OS X Apple has released. You’ll find a complete list of each version of OS X and macOS, along version code names, internal code names (if available) and the most recent version and when it was released.

Product version	Code name	Date of launch	Date of launch	Last update date
OS X 10 beta	Kodiak	September 13, 2000	—	—
OS X 10.0	Cheetah	March 14, 2001	10.0.4	June 22, 2001
OS X 10.1	Puma	September 15, 2001	10.1.5	June 6, 2002
OS X 10.2	Jaguar	August 14, 2002	10.2.8	October 3, 2003
OS X 10.3	Panther (Pinot)	October 24, 2003	10.3.9	April 15, 2005
OS X 10.4	Tiger (Merlot)	April 29, 2005	10.4.11	November 14, 2007
OS X 10.5	Leopard (Chablis)	October 26, 2007	10.5.8	August 13, 2009
OS X 10.6	Snow Leopard	August 28, 2009	10.6.8	July 25, 2011
OS X 10.7	Lion (Barolo)	July 20, 2011	10.7.5	October 4, 2012
OS X 10.8	Mountain Lion (Zinfandel)	July 25, 2012	10.8.5	August 13, 2015
OS X 10.9	Mavericks (Cabernet)	October 22, 2013	10.9.5	July 18, 2016
OS X 10.10	Yosemite (Syrah)	October 16, 2014	10.10.5	July 19, 2017
OS X 10.11	El Capitan (Gala)	September 30, 2015	10.11.6	July 9, 2018
macOS 10.12	Sierra (Fuji)	September 20, 2016	10.12.6	September 26, 2019
macOS 10.13	High Sierra (Lobo)	September 25, 2017	10.13.6	November 12, 2020
macOS 10.14	Mojave (Liberty)	September 24, 2018	10.14.6	July 21, 2021
macOS 10.15	Catalina (Jazz)	October 7, 2019	10.15.8	February 2, 2026
macOS 11	Big Sur (GoldenGate)	November 12, 2020	11.7.11	February 2, 2026
macOS 12	Monterey (Star)	October 25, 2021	12.7.6	July 29, 2024
macOS 13	Ventura (Rome)	October 24, 2022	13.7.8	August 20, 2025
macOS 14	Sonoma (Sunburst)	September 26, 2023	14.8.9	August 6, 2026
macOS 15	Sequoia (Glow)	September 18, 2024	15.8	September 14, 2026
macOS 26	Tahoe (Cheer)	September 15, 2025	26.7	September 14, 2026
macOS 27	Golden Gate (Honeycrisp & Fizz)	September 14, 2026	27	September 14, 2026

We also have a list of every version of iOS where you can see the latest versions and how long Apple supports iPhones for.

Even if you’re not getting a new iPhone 18 Pro this week, you can still make your old phone feel new again. iOS 27 is here, and the update brings a slew of new features, including the long-awaited Siri chatbot, along with a slew of AI tools across the system and first-party apps. Those averse to artificial intelligence will still appreciate the other unrelated features, design changes, and performance improvements across the board. Hesitant about updating your iPhone? Below are the top additions you’re missing out on.

Siri’s awakening

Siri AI is the signature feature of iOS 27, baking advanced smarts into the operating system. You get a dedicated app to initiate and store conversations with the chatbot, with support for extensions like ChatGPT. Unlike third-party AI chatbots, however, Siri AI’s responses aren’t limited to world knowledge and web results only.

Thanks to Apple’s deep implementation, Siri AI can access data stored on your iPhone and respond accordingly. So, it can dig through and reference old emails, iMessages, photos, calendar events, notes, and much more. It can also analyze what’s currently visible on your screen and take action inside apps. It’s truly an all-encompassing AI assistant that other providers can’t natively replicate on iOS.

Other Siri AI perks include assistance with composing text; the chatbot can proofread, rewrite, adjust the tone, and even write from scratch in any text box if you prompt it to do so. Apps like Apple Mail and Messages also offer smart replies that adapt to your typing style and the ongoing conversation.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and accessing Siri AI may require getting past a potentially lengthy waitlist in the Settings app. But it’ll be worth it.

AI changes the image

iOS 27’s AI introductions extend beyond the revamped Siri. The built-in Photos app now offers a trio of AI-powered editing tools—two of which are completely new. The existing Clean Up feature now offers an advanced mode that consumes more time and energy, allowing you to conceal more complex objects. Meanwhile, the Extend perk is essentially the opposite of cropping, letting you generate relevant content outside the original photo’s frame. You also get the Reframe option, which tweaks the angle of the shot using AI.

I’ve stress tested all three of them, and they generally work reliably. Like most AI features, however, they may hallucinate and generate unpredictable results from time to time. Do note that using any of these tools will add an AI label to the photo’s metadata—regardless of how subtle your edits are—and platforms like Instagram will add an AI disclaimer accordingly. Like Siri AI, you’ll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro to take advantage of these new Photo features.

Taming the wild web

Safari on iOS 27 similarly adds three new core AI functionalities for the iPhone 15 Pro and later. Notify Me is a simple web crawler that scans selected sites for described changes based on a frequency of your choosing. If you’re anticipating a certain update, for example, you can stop manually refreshing the relevant webpage and Safari will alert you whenever it detects it.

Secondly, Safari can now automatically categorize different tabs based on their topics. You can then save generated tab groups to revisit them later. Otherwise, you can create Safari web extensions on iOS 27 by prompting the AI—sparing you from hunting for niche tools on the App Store.

Shortcuts for the rest of us

Similar to Safari extensions, iOS 27 lets you generate automations and workflows in the Shortcuts app using text prompts. For long, the app had required users to go through a sophisticated building process, barring tech newbies from creating complex shortcuts. Now, anyone can describe the needed tools using natural language, and the AI will pick the correct actions and sequence.

Even more Intelligence

iOS 27’s AI features (again for iPhone 15 Pro and later) can also be encountered in more subtle parts of the system. For example, the Calendar app can now extract event details from a casual text description. Meanwhile, the Phone app will surface useful personal data when relevant calls are made, like reservations and ticket numbers. In Image Playground, you can now generate more realistic images, an upgrade from its predecessor’s ghastly cartoons.

Solid Glass

Finally something for all phones: iOS 27 addresses a common Liquid Glass complaint introduced with last year’s design overhaul. With the latest OS version, you can finally kill the translucency of Liquid Glass and opt for a more opaque look across the system and apps universally. All you have to do is tweak the dedicated slider found under Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.

And much more

Other welcome iOS 27 additions include custom pass creation in Wallet, a quick paste keyboard shortcut when copying items, the ability to save high-resolution video frames, redesigned workout summaries, independent alarm volumes, more landscape apps, extra-large widgets, and more. The update also speeds up app launching and AirDrop, extends battery life, fixes leftover bugs, and patches hundreds of security vulnerabilities.

To install it on an iPhone 11 or newer model, go to Settings > General > Software Update > and hit the Install Now button. Agree to the Terms of Service after reading them thoroughly, and keep your iPhone connected to a power source until the installation concludes.

Kurzbefehle zu erstellen, war bisher Handarbeit. Sie mussten die einzelnen Schritte selbst heraussuchen und zusammenfügen. Bei komplexeren Aufgaben war das aber zum einen mühsam und zum anderen fehleranfällig. In macOS 27 Golden Gate können Sie nun mit eigenen Worten beschreiben, was ein Kurzbefehl für Sie erledigen soll.

Und das funktioniert auch mit Deutsch. Da es die App Kurzbefehle auch auf dem iPhone und dem iPad gibt, können Sie dort unter iOS 27 und iPad 27 ebenfalls Apple Intelligence in der App verwenden.

Was Kurzbefehle können

Mit Kurzbefehlen lassen sich viele Dinge erledigen. Sie können unter anderem Informationen über den Mac abrufen, Einstellungen vornehmen, E-Mails oder Nachrichten versenden, Kalenderereignisse auflisten lassen oder Informationen von Webseiten abrufen.

Zudem lassen sich mehrere Aktionen miteinander verknüpfen oder Kurzbefehle zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt ausführen, wie zu einer bestimmten Uhrzeit, wenn eine Nachricht von einer bestimmten Person eintrifft oder wenn Sie einen Fokus auswählen. Am besten schauen Sie sich die lange Liste der verfügbaren Aktionen an und überlegen, welche Sie davon eventuell sinnvoll einsetzen könnten. Oder Sie probieren es einfach aus, indem Sie eintippen, was der Kurzbefehl erledigen soll.

An eine Grenze stoßen die Kurzbefehle im Test, wenn Sie direkt auf Inhalte von Dokumenten zugreifen wollen. So können Kurzbefehle etwa den Text in einem geöffneten Textedit-Dokument nicht direkt erkennen. Sondern Sie müssen den Text zuerst markieren oder in die Zwischenablage kopieren, um ihn anschließend weiterzuverarbeiten. Auch lässt sich ein in die Zwischenablage kopierter Text nicht direkt in ein neues Pages-Dokument einfügen.

Kurzbefehle beschreiben

Sobald Sie einen neuen Kurzbefehl anlegen, startet Apple Intelligence mit einer Animation und einem Eingabefeld. In diesem tippen Sie mit eigenen Worten ein, was der Kurzbefehl erledigen soll. Es können auch Aufgaben sein, deren Aktionen miteinander verknüpft sind. Apple Intelligence sucht nun nach den passenden Aktionen und erstellt den Kurzbefehl.

Lässt sich die Aufgabe nicht erledigen, weil es keine passenden Aktionen gibt, bekommen Sie in der Regel eine Rückmeldung und manchmal auch einen Vorschlag, was alternativ möglich wäre. Zudem können Sie einen Kurzbefehl nachträglich ändern oder ergänzen, indem Sie in das Eingabefeld „Änderungen beschreiben” eintippen, was geändert werden soll. 

Was wir ausprobiert haben

Eine einfache Aufgabe gab es zum Anfang: Die Systemeinstellung „Startvolume” direkt öffnen. Da wir verschiedene Volumes mit unterschiedlichen Systemversionen auf dem Mac verwenden, ist das wesentlich schneller, als manuell die Systemeinstellungen zu öffnen und dort ein anderes Volume auszuwählen. Um schnell darauf zugreifen zu können, haben wir den Kurzbefehl der Menüleiste hinzugefügt.

Ferner haben wir einen Kurzbefehl erstellt, der die Anzahl der Zeichen des in Textedit markierten Textes anzeigt, da die App keine entsprechende Funktion hat. Auch auf diesen Befehl greifen wir dann über die Menüleiste zu.

Ein weiterer Kurzbefehl listet die aktuell an diesem Tag neu auf der Macwelt-Webseite veröffentlichten Artikel auf. Das funktioniert sogar, wenn Safari nicht gestartet ist. Diese Aktion verwendet die RSS-Funktion der Webseite.  Und ein anderer Kurzbefehl erstellt eine Liste der aktuellen Sendungen in der App Podcasts.

Anschließend haben wir einen Kurzbefehl erstellen lassen, der nur den Haupttext einer Webseite kopiert und als Textdatei sichert. Apple Intelligence greift dazu auf die Reader-Funktion von Safari zu und kopiert nur diesen Text. Befindet sich dann ein fremdsprachiger Text in der Zwischenablage, lässt er sich mithilfe eines anderen Kurzbefehls ins Deutsche übersetzen und wieder in die Zwischenablage kopieren.

Der letzte von uns erstellte Kurzbefehl startet, wenn sich der Mac mit dem WLAN verbindet, und öffnet Mail, Nachrichten und Safari. In Safari wird dabei auch gleich die Webseite der Macwelt geöffnet.

Fazit

Durch die Möglichkeit, Kurzbefehle mithilfe von Apple Intelligence in eigener Sprache zu beschreiben, lassen sich Aktionen wesentlich einfacher erstellen als bisher. Zudem können Sie nun etwas bequem ausprobieren, um zu sehen, ob es funktioniert oder nicht. Und die Liste der verfügbaren Aktionen hat sich nach einer ersten Durchsicht gegenüber der Vorgängerversion der Kurzbefehle unter macOS Tahoe erweitert.

Macs are expensive, so it’s understandable that many users want to put off replacing them for as long as possible. But just how long should you expect a Mac to last?

You may also be considering an older, used or refurbished Mac to save money. Is that 2018 MacBook Pro for $300/£300 a good deal, or would you be better off spending a little more on a newer model?

Whether a Mac is too old depends on two main factors: hardware durability and software support.

• Hardware: Macs and MacBooks are built to last, with many users getting five to eight years of reliable performance. Beyond that, Apple classifies Macs that have been off sale for more than five years as “vintage” and, eventually “obsolete“, at which point opportunities for repairs become increasingly limited.
• Software: Software support is just as important, because unsupported Macs can be more vulnerable to security issues. Apple typically provides macOS updates for Macs for around seven to eight years, but that window is changing as Apple has now ended major macOS upgrades for Intel Macs. macOS 27 Golden Gate requires Apple silicon or the A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo.

With Apple’s transition to its own silicon now complete, Intel Macs are entering their final years of security support. Knowing how long your Mac will continue to receive updates, and when it’s time to upgrade, is therefore more important than ever.

Use the table below to find the newest version of macOS supported by older Macs.

Year	MacBook Air	MacBook Pro	iMac	Mac mini	Mac Studio	Mac Pro
2026	macOS 27	macOS 27	—	macOS 27	macOS 27	—
2025	macOS 27	macOS 27	—	—	macOS 27	—
2024	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27	—	—
2023	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27	macOS 27
2022	macOS 27	macOS 27	—	—	macOS 27	—
2021	—	macOS 27	macOS 27	—	—	—
2020	macOS 27 (M1) / macOS 15 (Intel)	macOS 27 (M1) / macOS 26 (Intel, 4-port) / macOS 15 (Intel, 2-port)	macOS 26	macOS 27	—	—
2019	macOS 14	macOS 26 (16-inch) / macOS 15 (13/15-inch)	macOS 15	—	—	macOS 26
2018	macOS 14	macOS 15	—	macOS 15	—	—
2017	—	macOS 13	macOS 15 (iMac Pro) / macOS 13 (iMac)	—	—	—

Note that Macs limited to macOS 14 Sonoma or earlier are no longer receiving regular macOS security updates.

Apple has released macOS 27 Golden Gate, the newest version of the Mac operating system. It includes several AI features, including Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. It also has new features in Safari, Image Playground, and Photos. And it has a ton of refinements, as well as optimized performance.

Before you install macOS 27 Golden Gate, you should back up the data on your Mac, just in case. You can use Time Machine or another method. Also, you should check if your Mac is compatible with macOS 27 as Intel Macs are completely out of the picture.

Once the installation is done, what should you do with your Mac? Here are 12 things you should try first in macOS 27. This list will get you going on the new features and refinements.

Adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass

Last year, Apple’s operating systems adopted the Liquid Glass design language. Liquid Glass wasn’t as well-received as the company would’ve liked, so in macOS 27, Liquid Glass customization options are available.

You can now adjust the intensity of the Liquid Glass effect to your liking right from the setup stage. And if you’re not satisfied with your choice, you can change it later: this is easily done in the Appearance system settings, where you’ll find a nice easter egg.

Edit your favorite photos

For some time now, the Photos’ Clean Up tool can remove distracting elements from photos with varying degrees of success. Compared to professional software, Photos did have some significant drawbacks. But now, with the help of the improved Apple Intelligence, you can achieve almost professional results. Simply select an object you want to remove from the image and marvel at the result. You can also adjust the angle of a scene or extend the image. The latter, however, still falls significantly short of Photoshop’s generative filling; it simply extends the image with a blurred border.

Try Visual Intelligence

While Visual Intelligence is more prominent on an iPhone, it’s available in macOS 27. You can test what it’s capable of using your own photos, images from the web or screenshots. Right-click an image and select Ask Siri. The answer isn’t always correct, but Apple’s AI is constantly learning.

Play with Image Playground

Almost two years ago, Apple unveiled its image-generation tool, Image Playground, but it didn’t make much of an impression. You could turn people into superheroes using images from your own media library, or place them in fantasy landscapes with all sorts of accessories. But Apple decided not to let users create photorealistic images, so the illustrated results were not really convincing.

With the improved AI in macOS 27 Golden Gate, Image Playground is improved and capable of generating photorealistic images. You can use natural language or, as I did, several lines from my song “Cold Drink Heart.” The image below illustrates the first two verses from the song.

Do have a go with Image Playgrounds yourself, but don’t be surprised if the software refuses to let celebrities appear in the scenes you sketch. I’d love to show you a picture here of Lionel Messi in a Bayern Munich kit, but the AI won’t have any of it.

Speak to Siri

Instead of poking around you Mac with your cursor, you can simply ask the new Siri what you’ve recently noted down about a particular topic. Or which specific person, landscape or object you’ve photographed. Siri AI searches your Mac and presents the results. You don’t need to switch to an app, find the search box, and type in a term. It can all be done in one go via a voice command.

Try Siri AI with Spotlight

Spotlight and Siri have become fully integrated in macOS 27 Golden Gate. The Mac’s system-wide search is now semantic, which means it no longer just searches file names or for terms within content, but understands context in such a way that you can ask a question in natural language and get an answer directly in Spotlight. You don’t need to open a separate app to get an answer from the internet.

This requires a newly created index, which can take some time. Your Mac doesn’t simply create a flat index as before, but organizes your files and their contents into vectors, a numerical representation of a word, pixel or other data point. Apple already initiated the re-indexing process with the update to macOS 26.6. If you missed this update, you’ll now have to wait until the system has finished the job. You can speed up the process a little by leaving your Mac switched on overnight and plugged into the charger, if it’s a portable computer.

Use the Siri app

Chatbots such as OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini have become popular resources. Apple now has a Siri app that works a lot like those chatbots. What’s helpful is that it keeps a log of your queries, which you could refer back to at a later date. Bear in mind that if you resume a chat with Siri, the AI does not pick up where you left off, but instead reads through all the questions and answers again in full and evaluates them to formulate the next response.

Group tabs in Safari

Tabs are incredibly handy, especially in a browser. But it’s all too easy to lose track of things when you’ve got a dozen or two tabs open. The tab groups offered by Safari in macOS 12 Monterey haven’t always been much help. That’s changing with macOS 27 Golden Gate: Apple Intelligence automatically organizes tabs into thematic groups.

Test ‘Notify Me’ in Safari

You can be notified of every significant change on the websites that matter most to you, as often as every hour. If you want to track the price of a particular product on a shopping site, you could configure Safari to send you a daily update. You can also set it to track changes on a weekly or monthly basis.

To do this, go to the website in question and click on the icon with the three lines on the left of the address bar, then click Notify Me. You can even use natural language to tell Siri AI exactly what you want to keep an eye on.

Check your passwords and have them changed

Perhaps there an insecure password lurking somewhere in your Keychain or the Passwords app. Before, when a compromised passwords was flagged, you had to manage it all yourself. Now, Siri AI can change your passwords for you, replacing insecure ones with secure ones. This feature may not be available until a macOS 27 update.

Search your Mail boxes

Are you one of those users who never tidy up your inbox in Mail because you rely on the search function? You’ll no doubt have noticed time and again over the past few years that this strategy has its limitations and that you simply can’t find some emails anymore, even though you’re sure you didn’t delete them.

With macOS 27 Golden Gate, the new email search, promises a better overview when organizing the results. However, you may have to wait quite some time for Mail on macOS 27 Golden Gate to rebuild the search index before you can take advantage of the new search.

Share photo albums with non-Mac users

Go to the Photos app and share an album with someone who doesn’t have a Mac. This was already possible before, but macOS 27 Golden Gate makes it easier: the Photos app in iCloud has a new interface that users of Android smartphones or Windows PCs can access without having to compromise on image quality.

Apple releases a major update to macOS, the operating system that runs on Macs, every year, bringing new features and other improvements. The latest version, macOS 27 Golden Gate, was released on September 14, 2026.

In this article, we’ll explain how to download and install macOS 27 Golden Gate. We’ll also cover how to update an older version of macOS and what to do if you encounter problems installing an update. Also see: Fixes for Macs that won’t update macOS.

Updating your Mac is easy, free and generally straightforward, but there are a few things we recommend doing first. See our guide to how to get your Mac ready for a macOS update before you begin.

Not every Mac can run Golden Gate. macOS 27 no longer supports Intel-powered Macs, so if you have an older Mac you may need to install or continue using an earlier version of macOS instead. See: How to download old versions of macOS.

When did macOS Golden Gate come out? 

Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate on September 14, 2026. It is available now as a free software update for compatible Macs.

Should I update my Mac to Golden Gate?

Wondering if you should update to macOS Golden Gate at all? Before you start, we recommend you do the following:

Check our macOS Golden Gate vs macOS Tahoe guide to see how the new version compares with its predecessor.

Confirm whether your Mac can run Golden Gate. Golden Gate supports Macs with Apple silicon, but unlike macOS Tahoe, macOS 27 no longer supports Intel-powered Macs. If you have an Intel Mac, Golden Gate will not appear as an available upgrade.

Wait if you rely on your Mac for work or use important apps and peripherals. Despite Apple’s extensive beta testing, major macOS releases can still introduce compatibility problems, bugs and other issues that only emerge after launch. You may therefore prefer to wait for the first macOS 27 update before upgrading.

Waiting can also make the download process easier, as Apple’s servers are often busiest immediately after a major macOS release. We’ll be tracking any problems we hear about in our macOS 27 Golden Gate guide.

How to install macOS Golden Gate on your Mac

We’ll run through all the steps to download and install Golden Gate on your Mac below.

Step 1: Find the macOS Golden Gate Update

You may see a notification on your Mac that an update is available, in which case you can click on the update, upgrade or restart now button, depending on what’s displayed.

1. Click on the Apple logo in the menu at the top of your screen and choose System Settings.
2. Now pick General and then Software Update.
3. Your Mac will search for the update. 

You may also see a Software Update Available alert in the left column of System Settings.

Step 2: Download the macOS update

Assuming you see the macOS update, the process to download it works as follows:

1. Click Upgrade Now, Update Now or the equivalent button shown in Software Update to download the installer for the new version of macOS.
2. While the update is downloading you can continue to use your Mac. It may take a while to download, depending on the size of the update and the speed of your connection.
3. Once the download has finished, you should see a window pop up on your Mac asking you to start the install process. If you are ready to install move to step 3 below. 
4. If you don’t want to install the software yet, perhaps because you are making a bootable installer of macOS, you can find the installer file in the Applications folder via the Finder.

Step 3: Install the macOS update

If you are all set to install the update to macOS, and don’t mind your Mac being out of action for a while (particularly if it’s soon after release!) start the installation.

1. Click to install the new version of macOS.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish installing the software update. 

What to do if your Mac won’t update macOS

While you shouldn’t encounter problems if you have made sure your Mac is prepared for the macOS update and read how to get your Mac ready for macOS, it is possible you will encounter issues. Here are some of the most common problems and what you can do about them. 

1. Make sure you have plenty of free space on your SSD or hard drive. Your Mac needs enough space to download, unpack and install the update. If there isn’t enough space, the installation can fail. Read: How to make space on Mac.
2. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection. If your Wi-Fi is unstable, move closer to the router or, if possible, use Ethernet. If you see a message such as “The network connection was lost,” your connection may be the problem. Read: How to fix Wi-Fi problems on a Mac.
3. Apple’s servers can become overloaded when a major macOS update is released, which can cause downloads to slow down, time out or fail. If that happens, try again later.
4. If the download or installation appears to freeze, see what to do if your Mac freezes during the installation process.
5. Check Apple’s System Status page to see if there is a problem with Apple’s services.

For more advice about what to do if you encounter problems read Fixes for Macs that won’t update macOS.

How long will the macOS update take?

It can vary, based on your internet connection and how many people are also trying to get the update. Major macOS upgrades can be several gigabytes in size, so the download may take some time, particularly on a slower connection or immediately after a major macOS release.

You may want to leave your Mac downloading the operating system update overnight. And that’s before you even start the installation at which point you won’t even be able to use your Mac. Expect the actual installation to take up to an hour – it can go faster than that, but don’t expect it to be done in a few minutes.

How to revert to an older version of macOS

If you are unhappy with the new macOS, it is possible to downgrade, but doing so may involve wiping your Mac. If you have a backup from before the macOS update, you can use that to recover your data.

For help with this process, read How to downgrade macOS. We also cover How to install an older macOS over a new oneand How to download old versions of macOS.

If you want to try future macOS features before they are released to everyone, you can join Apple’s beta-testing program. We cover How to install the macOS beta separately.

You may also be interested in how to run a newer version of macOS on an unsupported Mac.

Apple just released macOS 27 Golden Gate to the general public, but I’ve been using it since the first beta became available. Overall, I think it’s an excellent upgrade that users should install as soon as possible.

Golden Gate has a lot of cool features, but there are three in particular that I absolutely love and use a lot. I think you will, too.

Captions for personal videos

I’ve come to rely on video captions for a couple of reasons: My hearing isn’t as good as it once was, and I watch videos on mute at certain times. Captions are usually available on commercially released videos, but not on personal videos.

But with the OS 27 update, video captions can now be generated on-device, which is extremely helpful. The captions aren’t always accurate;  I lost count of how many times it translates “Macworld” into “Mackerel,” and hopefully it improves over time. But it’s good enough to be useful and valuable now.

If captions are not provided, they are automatically generated. To make them appear in QuickTime Player or Photos, click the Caption icon in the playback bar and select On.

Photos Reframe

I’m by no means a photography expert, but whenever I hand my iPhone off to someone else to shoot a photo so I can be in the picture, I often find myself unsatisfied with the pic, mostly because I don’t like the framing. The new Reframe feature in the Photos app helps me improve those photos by allow you to adjust the angle from which the photo was taken.

It’s fairly limited; after all, there’s only so much that can be done with the available data, but I’ve been able to adjust many pics so that they’re better framed or more interesting.

To use Reframe in Photos, select a photo, then click Edit, and then under the Tools section, click Reframe. The Mac needs a moment to process the photo, and then you can move the photo around and tweak the settings to your desired angle.

Natural language Shortcuts

Shortcuts is a fantastic app, but I’ve often found myself spending too much time fine-tuning the aspects of the shortcuts I’ve created. But in macOS 27, Shortcuts supports natural language input, which has helped with that fine-tuning. For example, I made a shortcut by simply saying “Change the file names to the creation date,” and it worked. I was then able to fine-tune it by simply saying what I wanted.

I’ve only just started exploring what Shortcuts can do, but it’s already saving me time. So give it a shot.

If you are thinking of buying an older generation or used/refurbished iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your current iPhone to a new one, one important factor to consider is how long Apple will continue to support it.

The good news is that Apple provides software support for iPhones for many years. In most cases, iPhones receive security-related software updates for seven to eight years. Battery replacements and other repair services are often available for devices that are five to seven years old.

Read on to find out which iPhones are supported with the latest version of iOS, and which are eligible for servicing and repairs.

How long does Apple support iPhones with iOS updates?

In general, Apple provides many years of software support for its iPhones. Major iOS upgrades typically continue for around five to seven years, while security-related updates can continue for considerably longer.

Apple does not promise the same fixed software-support lifespan for every iPhone, although in some countries it now publishes minimum security-support periods for newer models. In practice, Apple’s track record shows that some iPhones continue receiving at least occasional security-related updates for a decade or more.

It is important to distinguish between major iOS upgrades and security-only updates.

Major iOS Updates: These bring new features, interface changes and app updates. You can typically expect an iPhone to support the latest major version of iOS for around five to seven years. The iPhone 11, released in 2019, can run iOS 27, although not all new features are available on older hardware.

Security Updates: Older iPhones do not necessarily become unsupported as soon as they stop receiving major iOS upgrades. Apple can continue issuing security patches and other important updates for older versions of iOS, extending the useful life of those devices.

For example, the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, launched in 2018, cannot run iOS 26 or iOS 27, but Apple has continued to issue security updates for them through iOS 18. In August 2026, Apple released iOS 18.7.10 specifically for the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max.

Support extends even further back. In May 2026, Apple released security updates for devices limited to iOS 15 and iOS 16, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, and first-generation iPhone SE. That means some iPhones released in 2015 were still receiving security fixes more than 10 years after launch.

It is not yet clear whether Apple will continue providing regular security updates for iOS 15 and iOS 16 now that iOS 27 has launched. Both received security updates during 2026, but support for these older versions is likely nearing its end.

Apple is continuing to support iOS 26 for now. It released iOS 26.7 alongside iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, providing security fixes for users who have not yet upgraded. Because every iPhone capable of running iOS 26 can also run iOS 27, this parallel support is likely to be temporary, although Apple has not said how long it will continue.

Device specific security updates: Apple has increasingly restricted some older iOS updates to devices that cannot install a newer major version. For example, recent iOS 18 security updates have been available for the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max, which cannot run iOS 26 or iOS 27. Owners of newer iPhones are instead expected to update to a newer version of iOS to receive the latest security fixes.

Similarly, Apple no longer issues iOS 17-specific updates. All iPhones capable of running iOS 17 can also run iOS 18, and the final iOS 17 update for iPhone was iOS 17.7.2 in November 2024.

Certificate coverage: Not every update for an old version of iOS is a conventional security patch. In January 2026, Apple released updates for several older versions of iOS to extend certificates required for services such as iMessage, FaceTime and device activation beyond January 2027. This included iOS 12.5.8 for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus – devices dating back to 2013 and 2014. Apple withdrew some of those January updates after reports of connectivity problems affecting some older devices, before making corrected versions available.

You should be very cautious about continuing to use an iPhone that no longer receives security fixes. Unpatched vulnerabilities can leave the device and the data stored on it at greater risk.

Which iPhones can run the latest iOS?

• The 2019 iPhone 11 is the oldest iPhone able to run iOS 26 and iOS 27.

iOS 27 supports the same older iPhone models as iOS 26, with the iPhone 11 from 2019 remaining the oldest compatible iPhone. This includes the following devices:

• iPhone Duo (2026)
• iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026)
• iPhone 17 Series, including iPhone Air and 17e (2025/2026)
• iPhone 16 Series, including iPhone 16e (2024/2025)
• iPhone 15 Series (2023)
• iPhone 14 Series (2022)
• iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022)
• iPhone 13 Series (2021)
• iPhone 12 Series (2020)
• iPhone SE iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020)
• iPhone 11 Series (2019)

Which iPhones run each version of iOS?

The chart below shows each version of iOS and the iPhones it ran on. As you can see, in recent years support for new iOS versions has stretched back for around six years, while, if you include the versions that Apple supports with security updates, the cover goes back a further year.

iOS support chart by model

What is the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple?

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR – still receiving iOS 18 security updates
• iPhone X and iPhone 8 – last received iOS 16 security updates in May 2026
• iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPhone 6s – last received iOS 15 security updates in May 2026

The oldest iPhones to have received security updates in 2026 are the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and first-generation iPhone SE, which received iOS 15.8.8 in May 2026. The iPhone 8 and iPhone X also received iOS 16.7.16 that month.

However, Apple has not released another security update for either iOS 15 or iOS 16 since May. With iOS 27 now available, it seems increasingly unlikely that Apple will continue maintaining those older operating systems. It is therefore possible that the May 2026 updates were the final security releases for iOS 15 and iOS 16, although Apple has not formally confirmed that support has ended.

That means we can no longer say with certainty that the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and iPhone X are still supported. They received security updates relatively recently, but ongoing protection against newly discovered vulnerabilities is no longer assured.

The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR are on firmer ground. Apple released iOS 18.7.10 for these models in August 2026, indicating that iOS 18 remains an actively maintained security-update branch.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 11 is the oldest standard iPhone able to run Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 27, although the second-generation iPhone SE is also compatible.

Apple’s hardware classifications tell a slightly different story. The first-generation iPhone SE and iPhone X are classified as obsolete, while several other older models are classed as vintage. Apple’s vintage and obsolete classifications relate primarily to hardware service and parts availability and do not necessarily coincide with the end of software security updates.

Which iPhones are too old

We don’t recommend using the following iPhone models because they no longer receive critical security updates, or are likely to stop receiving such updates soon. Using one of these iPhones could therefore put your security at risk:

• iPhone XR (2018)
• iPhone XS/XS Max (2018)
• iPhone X (2017)
• iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017)
• iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016)
• iPhone SE (2016)
• iPhone 6s/6s Plus (2014)
• iPhone 6/6 Plus (2014)
• iPhone 5s (2013)
• iPhone 5c (2013)
• iPhone 5 (2012)
• iPhone 4s (2011)
• iPhone 4 (2010)
• iPhone 3GS (2009)
• iPhone 3G (2008)
• iPhone (2007)

For more information, see which version of iOS can my iPhone run and our list of every version of iOS.

When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone?

Truth is we don’t know for sure, but on the basis that Apple supports phones for five to seven years after they are removed from sale:

• iPhone XS (2018-2019) – Approx 2026
• iPhone XR (2018-2021) – Approx 2026
• iPhone 11 (2019-2022) – Approx 2027-2029
• iPhone SE2 (2020-2022) – Approx 2027-2029
• iPhone 12 (2020-2023) – Approx 2028-2030
• iPhone 13 (2021) – Approx 2032
• iPhone SE3 (2022) – Approx 2033
• iPhone 14 (2022) – Approx 2034
• iPhone 15 (2023) – Approx 2035
• iPhone 16 (2024) – Approx 2036
• iPhone 17 (2025) – Approx 2037
• iPhone 18 (2025) – Approx 2038

Apple Intelligence: With the arrival of Apple Intelligence AI features and their more demanding hardware requirements, older iPhones are likely to become obsolete faster.

When does Apple stop repairing old iPhones?

When it comes to repairs, Apple supports iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago, the company or a third-party service provider will still service it.

Apple distinguishes between iPhones (and other devices) that are obsolete and vintage.

• Vintage Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between five and seven years ago. They are considered old, but there may be limited access to repairs depending on whether Apple has the parts available.
• Obsolete Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between more than seven years ago. They are considered end-of-life and will no longer be repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Obsolete iPhones

The following iPhones are now considered Obsolete, which means sales were discontinued more than seven years ago and Apple has now discontinued all hardware servicing.

• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 4 (all models now obsolete from 2026)
• iPhone 4s
• iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2026)
• iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2021)
• iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024)
• iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2025)
• iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024)
• iPhone 6s (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024)
• iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024)
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (PRODUCT) Red (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2026)
• iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2023, obsolete 2025)
• iPhone X (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024, obsolete 2026)

Vintage iPhones

And the iPhones below are listed as Vintage, which means they have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years). Apple will still service these products as long as it has the required parts. So you could say that the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple is now the ten-year-old iPhone 6s, but we don’t expect that Apple will have the required parts.

• iPhone 6s (16GB, 64GB, 128GB) (discontinued in India in 2019, vintage in 2022)
• iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2022)
• iPhone 7 (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025)
• iPhone 7 Plus (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025)
• iPhone 7 (PRODUCT) Red (discontinued in 2017, March 2022)
• iPhone 8 (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024)
• iPhone 8 Plus (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024)
• iPhone XS (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024
• iPhone XS Max (discontinued in 2019, vintage in June 2025)
• iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max (discontinued in 2020, vintage in September 2025)

All iPhones that followed those handsets, so iPhone 12 onwards, should be fully supported by Apple – for now.

Why are some iPhones listed as vintage but some newer ones are already Obsolete?

This is because Apple’s vintage/obsolete status is based on the date Apple stopped distributing a particular model or configuration for sale.

In the case of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus you may have noted that the 32GB models is already obsolete, while other 6s capacities remain vintage. This seems like an anomaly, however, Apple continued to sell the iPhone 6s in India after it was discontinued elsewhere. Those Indian sales continued until 2019, which may account for the extended support. PRODUCT Red iPhones also seem to reach obsolete status earlier, perhaps because of the availability of parts.

You may also be interested to learn how long Apple supports Macs and how long Apple supports iPads. We also have guides for getting a broken iPhone fixed and how much Apple product repairs cost.

Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? Find a great deal on a new iPhone here or check the best prices below and take a look at our round-up to choose the Best iPhone for you.

If you’ve ever worked at your iMac after dark, you know the frustration of a desk lamp that throws light in the wrong direction—glaring off your screen, leaving your keyboard in shadow, and eating up desk space you don’t have to spare. iMac users deserve better, and now they have it.

In 2017, BenQ created the world’s first monitor light bar with ScreenBar®, establishing an entirely new lighting category built on a simple idea: light your desk, not your screen. Since then, BenQ has led the category through science-backed optical innovation and award-winning design. iScreenBar brings that pedigree to iMac, in a form built specifically—and exclusively—for it.

Designed to match Your iMac

iScreenBar isn’t adapted to fit an iMac; it’s engineered around one. The body is precision-machined from a single block of aluminum and paired with a refined glass touch surface, giving it the same seamless, premium finish as the iMac it sits on.

A magnetic clip—compatible with 2021 and later iMac models—creates a secure, tool-free attachment, while integrated magnetic cable management routes the power cord neatly without ever covering the Apple logo.

The frontless structure keeps the FaceTime camera fully unobstructed, and oval acoustic openings are precisely positioned to preserve the built-in microphones and speakers, so nothing about your iMac’s design or performance is compromised.

The result is innovative design in in three colorways—silver, green, and blue—designed to complement different iMac setups.

Lighting engineered for screens

At the core of iScreenBar is its 3rd-generation ASYM-Light™ optical system, which delivers over 1000 lx of balanced illumination while precisely directing light onto your desk rather than your screen or eyes.

A calibrated cutoff angle minimizes reflections and glare, so your display stays completely clean even at full brightness. Illumination spreads evenly across a generous 85×50 cm area at 500 lux—and up to 115×50 cm at 300 lux—eliminating the dark patches and hot spots typical of a standard lamp.

Color accuracy matters too: with Rf > 96 color fidelity and a spectrum close to natural daylight, iScreenBar reveals true-to-life color on everything from sketches to sticky notes, and stepless brightness control lets you dial in anything from a warm 2700K to a crisp 6500K depending on the task and time of day.

Smart features that work automatically

iScreenBar responds to you rather than just lighting your desk. Its 24GHz millimeter-wave radar motion sensor detects your presence with precision, automatically illuminating your workspace the moment you sit down, and switching off after a few minutes of inactivity to save power. A built-in ambient light sensor continuously reads your surroundings, auto-dimming to maintain a comfortable 500 lx no matter how the room’s lighting shifts throughout the day.

For video calls, a dedicated Video Call Mode intelligently dims the center light while softly brightening the sides, producing natural, flattering illumination without harsh lens flare—so you always look your best on camera.

Seamless macOS integration

A dedicated BenQ iScreenBar app puts full control directly on your iMac. Power Sync automatically turns the light on when your iMac wakes, so it’s ready before you are. It automatically switches to Video Call Lighting mode the instant your camera activates and lets you save personalized lighting profiles for different apps and activities—one setting for focused work, another for evening browsing, another for calls.

Built exclusively for the way you work

From its magnetic, cable-managed mount to its radar-sensing automation and daylight-accurate optics, iScreenBar represents a light bar built with a single purpose: to work in perfect harmony with your iMac. It’s not a general-purpose accessory—it’s the lighting solution iMac users have been missing, built by the company that invented the category.

The BenQ iScreenBar for iMac is priced at $189.

To celebrate the launch, BenQ is inviting you to share what you consider a Perfect Match in your life for a chance to win an iMac + iScreenBar. Enter now and share your ideas!

If you like the idea of running an LLM on your own computer but tried awhile ago and were disappointed, it may be time to give it another chance.

“A few months ago, any LLM that I could run on my Macbook scored 0% on an agentic coding eval I put together,” Simon P. Couch, senior software engineer at Posit, posted on Bluesky this spring. “[The April] Qwen 3.5 and Gemma 4 releases both scored 90%.”

A model running on your laptop still won’t come close to what a state-of-the-art LLM from Anthropic or OpenAI can do in the cloud. But for defined tasks like answering coding questions, writing functions, or summarizing documents, they can be surprisingly capable.

“Laptop-available models, while a lot weaker than the frontier, have started wildly outperforming expectations,” open-source developer Simon Willison, who follows the AI industry closely, said in his PyCon US 2026 lightning talk in May.

There are many ways to run local models on a PC or Mac. Ollama, while perhaps not the fastest, is among the most popular and easy to set up. It’s also supported out of the box by many mainstream programming tools such as Visual Studio Code, JetBrains AI Assistant, Zed, and Posit Assistant. Ollama also can launch Claude Code or Codex with the option to use a local LLM.

I’ll be focusing on Ollama here, but many other tools are available for running LLMs locally, such as LM Studio, Jan, Unsloth, Simon Willison’s LLM, and llama.cpp.

You can download Ollama and install it as a conventional software program for Windows, Mac, and Linux. There’s both a chat application with a GUI and a terminal CLI.

From choosing a model and setting its parameter options to tweaking its runtime configuration, here are some tips for getting the most from your Ollama setup.

Choosing a model

Choosing a model is obvious but not always easy, given that the Ollama model catalog has hundreds of listings. What’s best for you depends on both your task and available hardware. For coding, the Gemma 4 family from Google and the latest Qwen models from Alibaba are both worth considering. I’m partial to Gemma, because it writes R code well. In fact, Gemma 4 26B in the cloud is the only open-weight LLM that Posit offers in its Posit AI subscription service that might fit on a laptop. I also lean toward US models for summarizing text, because they’re more likely to be trained in nuances of American English.

Next is selecting a size. The Gemma 4 12B version introduced in June fits comfortably in a lot of systems. Google says a 4-bit version (the Ollama catalog default) requires 6.7 GB of VRAM or Mac unified memory. And, Google’s internal coding benchmarks show it’s close to the larger 26B MoE (mixture of experts) Gemma 4 version from April in some tasks. It’s a decent place to start if you don’t have a ton of VRAM.

Another possible option: Meta recently announced Muse Glimmer, a 30B model unveiled in August, which is designed for end-to-end agentic work, reliable tool use, and multi-step reasoning. It needs around 24 GB of VRAM to run at a usable clip, though.

If none of these suggested models work for you, one of the easiest things to do these days is ask a frontier model such as ChatGPT or Claude. Tell it how much GPU VRAM and regular RAM your Windows PC has, or how much unified RAM your Mac has, what LLM family you’re interested in running if you’ve got a favorite, and what you want to do. Summarize short documents? Long documents? Answer coding questions in a terminal? Run a coding agent? Ask for its three top suggestions and start with those. Then try larger or smaller options as appropriate.

For Windows PCs, if an LLM can’t fit entirely into GPU VRAM, it may run so slowly as to be effectively unusable.

Note, though, that an LLM’s architecture matters along with its size. A so-called mixture-of-experts model like Gemma 26B only uses some of its parameters for a task. While the whole LLM needs to be loaded, it may run fine on a PC with less GPU memory than you’d expect—depending on what you’re doing. Gemma 4 26B is pretty snappy for some tasks in a terminal window on my PC with 12 GB of VRAM, even though more than half of the model spills over into RAM.

And you don’t always need the largest model that fits in your hardware; smaller ones may be fine, especially for simple, non-mission-critical tasks.

The takeaway? Selecting a good model is a bit more complicated than “this hardware can run LLMs with that number of parameters, and bigger is always what I want.”

One more note: If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, choosing an MLX version of an LLM if available will likely give you better performance. MLX is a framework that’s optimized for Apple hardware.

Downloading and running your model

Once you decide on an LLM, the Ollama model listing should show you how to download and run it. For example, the terminal command for Gemma 4 12B is ollama run gemma4:12b or ollama run gemma4:12b-mlx. If the model is already on your system, the ollama run command just loads and launches it; if the LLM isn’t on your system yet, Ollama downloads it first. The ollama pull command will download a model without running it. Use ollama list to list all the LLMs Ollama has already downloaded on your system. And use ollama rm [model-name] to delete a model.

Setting your model’s parameter options with a Modelfile

There are ways to tweak an LLM’s performance with parameter options such as temperature (how “random” its responses are), top_k (if its choices should be restricted to a certain number of best-matching tokens), top_p (how many next tokens the model considers when generating its response), and maximum context window size.

Ollama suggests 64000 tokens as a minimum context window size for web search, agents, and coding tools. However, the Ollama default is just 4000 for systems with less than 24 GB of VRAM, even if an LLM has a much larger possible context window.

Instead of specifying parameters on the command line each time you run a specific LLM, you can create a “copy” of the model with your desired parameters using a Modelfile. Below is an example Modelfile that creates a version of the Gemma 4 12B LLM with some suggested parameters and a context size of 64000 tokens:

FROM gemma4:12b

PARAMETER temperature 1
PARAMETER top_p 0.95
PARAMETER top_k 64
# For the context window
PARAMETER num_ctx 64000

Google advises setting temperature to 1.0, top_p to 0.95, and top_k to 64 for all the Gemma 4 LLMs. (That’s already what the default Ollama versions are, but it doesn’t hurt to specify again.)

You can also set a default system prompt in a Modelfile with SYSTEM instruction.

Save your Modelfile as a plain text file, such as Modelfile-gemma4-12b-64k-optimized.txt, and then create the LLM copy with a terminal command such as

ollama create gemma4-12b-64k-optimized -f ./ModelFile-gemma4-12b-64k-optimized.txt

Now you can run your new LLM with

ollama run gemma4-12b-64k-optimized

The ollama list command will show your newly created copy as having the same size as the original, but it’s not actually taking up all that additional space on your hard drive. ollama show [model-name] will display a number of settings that have been baked in.

Tweaking how long an LLM stays loaded

Ollama defaults to unloading a model out of memory after just five minutes of session inactivity. That may be helpful if you’ve ended your session, but not so great if you want to resume a chat that’s been idle for seven minutes. Having to re-load an LLM into an existing session can make a model feel a lot more sluggish than it should.

To change how long an LLM stays in memory, update your system’s OLLAMA_KEEP_ALIVE environment variable. On Windows, you can change the default in a terminal window with setx OLLAMA_KEEP_ALIVE "15m" or setx OLLAMA_KEEP_ALIVE 900 (a number without a qualifier such as m for minutes is treated as seconds).

On a Mac, you can change the default with launchctl OLLAMA_KEEP_ALIVE 15m.

Restart Ollama for new settings to take effect.

You can unload a model manually with the terminal command ollama stop [model-name]. To see how much time is left on a running LLM if there’s no additional session activity, use the ollama ps command. Note that the results of this command include an “UNTIL” column.

Rethinking other Ollama settings

Another important Ollama option is the default context window. If you’re not using a Modelfile-customized LLM, you can set Ollama’s default context window for any LLM you run with setx OLLAMA_CONTEXT_LENGTH 64000 on Windows or launchctl OLLAMA_CONTEXT_LENGTH 64000 on a Mac. (If the LLM has a smaller maximum than this setting, Ollama should ignore it.)

If you’re on a PC, you may also want to change Ollama’s default for KV cache, which controls how a model stores chat history in your current session. The default is f16 quantization, which gives high precision—but with high memory use. Changing to q8_0 (8-bit quantization) “uses approximately 1/2 the memory of f16 with a very small loss in precision, this usually has no noticeable impact on the model’s quality,” according to Ollama’s documentation. Yes please!

setx OLLAMA_KV_CACHE_TYPE "q8_0"

This usually works with NVIDIA GPUs that should auto-enable a memory optimization called Flash Attention. For other setups, Ollama docs suggest force-enabling Flash Attention by setting OLLAMA_FLASH_ATTENTION to 1 in an environment variable. If you’re using an MLX model on a Mac, you probably don’t need to worry about this.

To check which Ollama variables you’ve set on your PC, you can run these terminal commands:

reg query HKCU\Environment | findstr /i OLLAMA
reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment" | findstr /i OLLAMA

Checking how well an LLM fits into VRAM

Running ollama ps in a new terminal window while Ollama is running an LLM elsewhere also shows you how much of a currently running model is in your GPU. If your LLM is slow but it all fits in your VRAM, the problem may be elsewhere.

Turning off a model’s ‘thinking’ capability

Gemma 4 is a “thinking” model family, which means its models can go through what look like reasoning steps before generating their final response. This “thought process” can improve results but also slow things down—a lot.

Thinking is on by default in Ollama for all LLMs that have the option. You can turn it off from the Ollama command line with --think=false. For example:

ollama run gemma4:12b --think=false

Other applications like IDEs may have their own ways of switching thinking on and off, such as a lightbulb icon in the chat window. Unfortunately, you can’t turn thinking off from a Modelfile.

In a test summarizing documents with Gemma 4 E4B, turning thinking off boosted speed five-fold and result quality was about the same. For Gemma 4 12B, the speed improvement was eight-fold.

How thinking affects coding will depend on the complexity of the task. You may want to test some real-world work to see whether time spent “thinking” pays off with better results.

Running models outside the Ollama catalog

One of the largest sources of open-source LLMs is Hugging Face, and many models there have a “use this model” button that gives the command you need to download and run it on Ollama. Just be aware that not all of those models are as plug-and-play as the Ollama-optimized versions on Ollama.com, especially new ones.

For example, I tried running the Unsloth project’s 2-bit quantized version of Meta’s new Muse Glimmer. The command was

ollama run hf.co/unsloth/Muse-Glimmer-30B-GGUF:UD-Q2_K_XL

However, this errored out of the box. ChatGPT helped me fix the issue (with a Modelfile to create a modified version of the LLM) after I told it the error messages.

The bottom line

Local LLMs have come a long way, but a model that can fit inside a consumer desktop or laptop won’t be able to do the kind of work that top cloud-based models can. Gemma 4 12B may write good basic functions and document summaries, but don’t expect it to do complicated jobs from a single prompt like “create an R package to use the National Weather Service API.” As with frontier LLMs of old, you’ll need to go step by step, be specific, and have some patience. If you never want to go back to those days, stay with the state-of-the-art models in the cloud.

Gemma works well for basic data analysis, “importing, tidying, and visualizing data,” and “information retrieval and short factual questions,” according to Posit AI’s documentation. “It is less reliable than the Claude models on longer, multi-step tasks. You might see a strong response on one turn and a misread on the next. We do not recommend Gemma 4 for long-running agentic coding or complex package development.”

That was pretty much the status of paid cloud-based LLMs a couple of years ago.

Even if limited compared to current state-of-the-art models, though, free coding help that’s 100% local and private can still be compelling for use cases like exploring sensitive data, summarizing personal documents, doing simple tasks, working on a plane with bad Internet, and saving paid tokens for when they matter. Plus it can feel empowering to have everything on your own system.

And, local model capabilities will likely keep getting better.

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