You should always update macOS to latest compatible version, and this will help you to run Mac more smoothly and securely. You might have unexpected behavior and problems when you try to use an incompatible version on your MacBook, MacBook Air, iMac or the Mac Mini computer. So you must know if your Mac is compatible with latest macOS, or it’s too old to update.
Is my Mac Compatible with macOS?
When you buy a Mac, the macOS comes already installed on it with the most compatible version. But you can install the later version as well, and you have to check out whether your Mac can run the new version of Mac operating system or not.
How to Check your Mac Model
To see the compatibility of macOS with your computer, you must know about your Mac model and year. To find the model of your Mac, on the top-left corner of the screen, click the Apple menu and then select About this Mac option.
macOS Mojave Compatibility
macOS 10.14 named as Mojave and the following Mac can run it.
- MacBook — Early 2015 or newer
- MacBook Air — Mid 2012 or newer
- MacBook Pro — Mid 2012 or newer
- Mac mini — Late 2012 or newer
- iMac — Late 2012 or newer
- iMac Pro — 2017
- Mac Pro — Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommending Metal-capable GPU)
Other general requirements for macOS 10.14 Mojave are, you need at OS X 10.8 or newer version, 2GB or memory and 12.5GB to 18.5GB or storage space depends on the installed operating system.
macOS High Sierra Compatibility
The following Mac computers are compatible with macOS High Sierra 10.13 and remember there may be some features or apps in this macOS that required specific hardware.
- MacBook — Late 2009 or newer
- MacBook Pro — Mid 2010 or newer
- Mac Pro — Mid 2010 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2010 or newer
- Mac mini — Mid 2010 or newer
- iMac — Late 2009 or newer
For upgrade to macOS High Sierra, you must have OS X 10.8 or later versions, 2GB memory and it also requires at least 14.3GB or more storage space.
macOS Sierra Compatibility
Is my Mac compatible with macOS Sierra 10.12? If that’s the question to want an answer to, look for your Mac model below. If you see it in the list below then you can run macOS Sierra, otherwise, its time to upgrade the hardware.
- MacBook — Late 2009 or later
- MacBook Pro — Mid 2010 or later
- Mac Pro — Mid 2010 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2010 or later
- Mac mini — Mid 2010 or later
- iMac — Late 2009 or newer
For upgrade to macOS Sierra, you must have OS X 10.7.5 or later versions, 2GB memory and also required at least 8.8GB or more storage space.
OS X El Capitan Compatible Macs
OS X El Capitan 10.11 compatible Mac list are as below.
- MacBook
- Early 2015
- Late 2008 Aluminum
- Early 2009 or newer
- MacBook Pro
- Mid 2007
- Late 2007 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2008 or newer
- Mac mini — Early 2009 or newer
- iMac — Mid 2007 or newer
- Mac Pro — Early 2008 or newer
- Xserve — Early 2009
For upgrade to OS X El Capitan, you must have OS X 10.6.8 or later versions, 2GB memory and also required at least 8.8GB or more storage space.
OS X Yosemite Compatibility list
Mac computer that supports the OS X Yosemite 10.10 is as follow.
- MacBook
- Late 2008 Aluminum
- Early 2009 or newer
- MacBook Pro
- 13″ Mid 2009 or newer,
- 15″ Mid 2007, Late 2007 or newer
- 17″ Late 2007 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2008 or newer
- Mac mini — Early 2009 or newer
- iMac — Mid 2007 or newer
- Mac Pro — Early 2008 or newer
- Xserve — Early 2009
For upgrade to OS X Yosemite, requirements of OS X version, memory and space are same as above El Capitan.
OS X Mavericks Compatible devices
The following Mac computer can run OS X Mavericks 10.9.
- MacBook
- Late 2008 Aluminum
- Early 2009 or newer
- MacBook Pro
- Mid/Late 2007 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2008 or newer
- Mac mini — Early 2009 or newer
- iMac — Mid 2007 or newer
- Mac Pro — Early 2008 or newer
- Xserve — Early 2009
For upgrade to OS X Mavericks, requirements of OS X version, memory and space are same as above Yosemite.
OS X Mountain Lion Supported models
The following Mac computer can run OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.
- MacBook
- Late 2008 Aluminum
- Early 2009 or newer
- MacBook Pro
- Mid/Late 2007 or newer
- MacBook Air — Late 2008 or newer
- Mac mini — Early 2009 or newer
- iMac — Mid 2007 or newer
- Mac Pro — Early 2008 or newer
- Xserve — Early 2009
For upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion, requirements of OS X version, memory and space are same as above Mavericks.
OS X Lion Supported Mac Devices
Any Mac computer with the following specifications can run OS X Lion 10.7.
- Intel Processor
- Intel Core 2 Duo
- Core i3, i5 or i7
- Xeon processor
For upgrade to OS X Lion, you need 2GB memory, OS X version 10.6.6 or later and at least 7GB of storage space.
OS X Snow Leopard Compatibility List
To run OS X Snow Leopard v10.6 smoothly you any an Intel-based Mac.
You need 1GB memory, at least 5GB of storage space and DVD drive for installation.
OS X Leopard Compatibility List
Both PowerPC and Intel x86-based Macintosh computers can run Leopard v10.5. G3 processors are dropped, and for the G4 processor it should be 867 MHz, minimum 512 MB or memory should be installed.
Symptoms that macOS is not compatible
First of all when to try to boot your Mac from a hard drive or a Backup and this macOS version is incompatible then you will see any of the following signs.
- You are getting unsupported or incorrect macOS version or build number message.
- The system is not booting from the source drive or backup.
- Different hardware components are not working correctly including Mac WiFi, Bluetooth, sound, touchpad/trackpad, keyboard, mouse, cooling fans, etc.
- You might also see software related issues as well as the app didn’t work correctly and crashed without any error.
How to upgrade operating system on your Mac
If you have found a new compatible macOS version that you want to install right now then here is how to update the Mac operating system.