Apple’s macOS Sonoma update is now available. Mac’s big 2023 software update adds a new game mode for Apple Silicon devices, interactive desktop widgets, video conferencing improvements, and more.
To install macOS Sonoma, you’ll need a somewhat recent computer. It is compatible with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models from 2018 and later, iMac and Mac Pro devices from 2019 and later, Mac Studio from 2022 and later, and iMac Pro from 2017.
Once you’ve determined that your Mac is eligible, you can head to System Settings > General > Software Update to start the download and installation.
Many of the core features of macOS Sonoma are hidden and it appears to be a largely incremental update. But Apple still added plenty of cool new features, including high-resolution screensavers of real-world locations, an updated login screen, interactive widgets, several video conferencing improvements (including new effects like the balloons shown above), Safari profiles (to keep work and personal separate), web apps you can install in the Dock, online predictive text, and more. There’s even a new game mode that prioritizes system resources for smoother gaming performance and improves latency for AirPods and wireless controllers.
To learn more about Sonoma’s features, you can check out Engadget’s detailed preview of the latest version of macOS.
