This fall , Apple will release macOS Sierra , a major update to the Mac operating system . This FAQ will resolve some of the worldwide questions you may have to help you take what it ’s all about and whether you should instal it on your Mac . We ’ll update this FAQ with more interrogation , solvent , and details as the release date access .
macOS? What happened to OS X?
Apple adjudicate to alter the name in gild to fit with the gens of Io , watchOS , and tvOS . So no more romish numeral ( or that bothersome somebody who insists on forebode it “ OS ex ” ) .
Some trivium , if you ’re concerned : macOS is n’t exclusively a raw name . Before version 10 , Apple used to call its Mac operating system of rules Mac OS , with the last rendering being Mac OS 9 . Apple change the name to OS X when translation 10 was bring out in 2001 .
Does Apple still name its Mac operating systems after California locations?
Yup . This one is macOS Sierra .
More trivium : Sierrarefers to a mountain image in key and easterly California . It ’s also called the Sierra Nevada , and a little part of the orbit lies in the state of Nevada . ( Sierrais Spanish for plenty range andNevadais Spanish for snowfall.)Lake Tahoe , a popular snow sport position in the wintertime and a frequently - chitchat lake in the summer , is located in the Sierra . YosemiteNational Park ( which is dwelling house toEl Capitan ) is also there . Mount Whitney , the highest peak in the contiguous United States , is in the Sierra .
What version of the Mac operating system is this?
10.12 .
iCloud Drive will now allow you access documents on save to the screen background on any Mac .
When will it be available?
macOS Sierra is useable now . It started embark on September 20 , 2016 .
How much will it cost?
Apple makes its operating systems available for free , and macOS Sierra will be no unlike .
How do I get macOS Sierra?
Though theApp Store .
Will it run on my computer?
Here ’s the listing of Macs that will run macOS Sierra .
Compatibility with Sierra , however , is n’t as unsubdivided as checking to see if your Mac is on the tilt . Here ’s the complete history on Sierra compatibility , and Apple has information onwhat feature are uncommitted based on region and language .
Should you upgrade to macOS Sierra?
Once you ’ve determined that you have compatible hardware , deciding to upgrade is a personal selection . If you absolutely depend on a specific app and would be crippled without it , you should wait to ensure from that app developer that their software will work with macOS Sierra .
If you do decide to elevate , check that you back up your data point first . If you terminate up having a serious job , you may revert back using your backup .
I heard that Siri is in macOS Sierra. True?
It ’s true . There will be a Siri picture in the sorrel . tick on it activates Siri . you’re able to use it as you would with your iPhone , like say , if you ask directions , are trying to find a nearby restaurant , or require entropy on a subject .
you’re able to also use it to witness files on your Mac . For lesson , you may tell Siri to find all the files with the word “ report ” in it , and Siri will list those Indian file .
Siri also lets you operate with other Apple apps . you’re able to take Siri results for , say , an ikon , and then drag and drip the paradigm into a Keynote presentation . you’re able to have Siri recover a emplacement in Maps , and then drag the location into an email .
Apple has not announced a third - party API for macOS Siri . Siri ferment only with Apple apps . So , for exercise , if you want Siri to read your emails to you , you must utilise the Apple Mail app .
I also heard that Apple Pay is coming to the Mac. Yes?
Yes . When you ’re denounce online and you see an Apple Pay clit , you may snap on it to utilise Apple Pay to pay for it . You still need your iPhone , however . Apple Pay on the Mac uses the iPhone ’s Touch ID to avow your leverage ; you could also beseech your Apple Watch side button twice .
Apple Pay on the Mac is coming with macOS Sierra .
Speaking of the Apple Watch, why can’t I use it to unlock my Mac?
Well , with macOS Sierra , you may . When your Mac has been inactive or you ’re powering it up and you get to the login screen , a feature squall Auto Unlock will sense your Apple Watch and in a flash log you in . No more type your word .
What are the other new features?
Here ’s alist of the major new featuresshowcased at Apple ’s Worldwide Developers Conference . They let in iCloud Drive Desktop access , Optimized Storage , Picture in Picture , Tabs , and Universal Clipboard .
Some of the other neat characteristic :
Photos for Mac gets new features , too . A Modern Memories tab automatically creates slideshows base on events , places , or people . There ’s also livelihood for extension for Photos that will leave for editing of Live Photos . When you make an edit , it will implement to the whole Live Photo , not just the one chronological sequence you edit .
Safari will have a major variety in the manner it handle substance that uses sparking plug - ins like Flash , Silverlight , and QuickTime . You ’ll see an alert that tells you the fire hydrant - in is not put in , and you ’ll need to press a “ Click to use ” button to see the content . Apple is doing this to impel websites to load — if it ’s available — HTML5 - compliant medium effectuation .
