{"id":66528,"date":"2024-10-17T19:22:25","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T19:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/glosario-digital\/macos"},"modified":"2026-09-15T22:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T22:13:44","slug":"macos","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/macos","title":{"rendered":"macOS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"boxpad alignright wp-image-66526 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/macOS.jpg\" alt=\"macOS\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" style=\"margin-top:0;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/macOS.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/macOS-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><strong>Definition:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>macOS<\/strong> is the operating system developed by Apple for its Mac computers. It manages the hardware, files, applications, accounts, and connections of the computer, and provides the graphical interface used to operate the desktop, Finder, the Dock, and windows.<\/p>\n<p>The system is designed for specific Mac models and is distributed with Apple hardware. This relationship coordinates components such as the processor, display, storage, and security features, but it also determines which versions each computer can install.<\/p>\n<p>macOS shares technologies and services with other Apple products, although it is not a version of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/ios\">iOS<\/a>. It maintains its own desktop environment, supports applications created specifically for Mac, and retains a UNIX-derived foundation.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Origin and evolution of macOS<\/h2>\n<p>The current system comes from two distinct stages: the classic Mac OS that accompanied the first Macintosh computers and the NeXT-based platform that Apple adopted for Mac OS X. <strong>These five periods summarize its development:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1984-2000:<\/strong> the first Macintosh computers used a graphical system that eventually became known as Mac OS. Its interface popularized elements such as windows, icons, menus, and a pointer, but its architecture differed from the one used today.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2001-2011:<\/strong> Mac OS X introduced a foundation derived from NeXTSTEP, the Aqua interface, and UNIX technologies. Versions including Tiger, Leopard, and Snow Leopard expanded Spotlight, Time Machine, and support for Intel processors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2012-2019:<\/strong> Apple shortened the name to OS X and later adopted macOS. iCloud, Continuity, Handoff, and other features strengthened its relationship with iPhone, iPad, and the company&#8217;s services.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2020-2025:<\/strong> macOS Big Sur accompanied the start of the transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon. Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe 26 expanded continuity, window management, and artificial intelligence features.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Since 2026:<\/strong> macOS 27 Golden Gate requires a Mac with Apple silicon and introduces a new generation of Siri and changes for applications, accessibility, and development. Apple maintains current version information on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/os\/macos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">macOS page<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Names and numbers identify generations of the system, but compatibility depends on the Mac model. A computer that runs an earlier version cannot necessarily install the latest release.<\/p>\n<h2>Technical foundation and Apple silicon<\/h2>\n<p>macOS combines open and proprietary components. Its XNU kernel and other fundamental parts form Darwin, the UNIX-based foundation on which Apple builds the interface and services that it does not distribute as open source.<\/p>\n<p>The system organizes data with APFS, runs processes with different permissions, and provides APIs that allow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/software\">software<\/a> to use graphics, audio, networking, storage, cameras, and other capabilities. Finder manages files and folders, while Launch Services associates documents, applications, and content types.<\/p>\n<p>Apple began moving the Mac to its own processors in 2020. Applications can be compiled natively for Apple silicon or distributed as universal binaries containing code for both Apple silicon and Intel. Rosetta translates applications built only for Intel when they run on compatible computers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/developer.apple.com\/news\/?id=w5ngl9k2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">macOS 27 is the final release to provide Rosetta<\/a> as a general-purpose tool for Intel applications. After this release, those applications will no longer run generally on Macs with Apple silicon, with a limited exception for certain older games. This transition affects programs, plug-ins, and drivers that still lack a native version.<\/p>\n<h2>Applications and distribution<\/h2>\n<p>Applications for macOS can be obtained through the Mac App Store, developer websites, enterprise management systems, and other channels. Unlike iPhone, Mac does not ordinarily restrict installation to a single store.<\/p>\n<p>The Mac App Store applies review, signing, and sandboxing requirements. Outside the store, Developer ID associates an application with an identified developer, while notarization submits the package to automated checks by Apple. Gatekeeper reviews these elements and the file&#8217;s origin when it is first opened. The <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.apple.com\/developer-id\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Developer ID documentation<\/a> explains this external distribution process.<\/p>\n<p>Signing or notarization does not establish that an application is free of errors or that all its data processing is appropriate. Notarization checks, among other things, for known malicious content at the time of analysis.<\/p>\n<p>macOS supports native applications, command-line tools, extensions, video games, and web applications. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/browser\">web browser<\/a> such as Safari uses WebKit to display websites and web services. Xcode provides Apple&#8217;s environment for building, testing, signing, and distributing applications for Mac and the company&#8217;s other platforms.<\/p>\n<h2>Integration with devices and services<\/h2>\n<p>macOS can use iCloud to synchronize files, photos, passwords, messages, and settings between devices associated with an Apple Account. This synchronization is a form of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/cloud-computing\">cloud computing<\/a>, although some processing and storage remain on the computer.<\/p>\n<p>Continuity groups features that connect Mac with other devices. Handoff can continue a supported activity; AirDrop transfers files nearby; Universal Clipboard shares copied content; Sidecar uses an iPad as a display; and iPhone Mirroring allows interaction with an iPhone from certain Macs.<\/p>\n<p>Availability depends on the model, version, account, proximity, and enabled connections. Third-party applications must also implement the necessary APIs. Belonging to the same ecosystem therefore does not make every data set or process synchronize automatically.<\/p>\n<p>For managed computers, macOS supports configuration profiles, device management, and identity controls. These features allow organizations to distribute settings and applications, separate responsibilities, and apply policies without making every Mac deployment identical.<\/p>\n<h2>Security, privacy, and artificial intelligence<\/h2>\n<p>macOS includes mechanisms such as secure boot, FileVault encryption, System Integrity Protection, application sandboxing, and XProtect. Privacy permissions control access to the camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos, screen recording, and other data categories. Gatekeeper adds checks for downloaded software, but it does not replace updates or review of an application&#8217;s source and permissions.<\/p>\n<p>Available protection varies by hardware and version. Touch ID and certain encryption features depend on compatible components, while system patches are distributed through Software Update. Apple publishes fixes for several generations of macOS, although they do not all receive the same features or receive them for the same period.<\/p>\n<p>Apple Intelligence integrates artificial intelligence models into Siri, writing, images, search, and other system features. Some operations run on the device, while others may use Private Cloud Compute. Availability depends on Apple silicon, language, region, and installed version.<\/p>\n<p>In macOS 27, Apple expands Siri and provides frameworks including Foundation Models and Core AI so developers can use system models or run other models on Apple silicon. These capabilities relate to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/generative-ai\">generative artificial intelligence<\/a>, but an application determines which model it uses, where it processes data, and what information it requests.<\/p>\n<p>macOS combines a UNIX foundation, Apple-designed hardware, applications distributed through several channels, and services connected to other devices. Understanding these parts helps distinguish the operating system from the store, account, processor, and applications that run on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What macOS is, how it evolved, and how its UNIX foundation, Apple silicon, apps, integration, security, and artificial intelligence work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":79723,"template":"","encyclopedia-tag":[517,301,302],"class_list":["post-66528","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","encyclopedia-tag-apple-en","encyclopedia-tag-operating-system","encyclopedia-tag-software-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/66528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encyclopedia"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encyclopedia-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia-tag?post=66528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}