In the Know: The Latest Mac OS Update for 2024

Sometimes, outdated software can be a real issue, as it may contain bugs or security vulnerabilities. Thus, keeping your Mac software up to date is crucial.

On the other hand, how do you make sure your Mac stays up to date? So let's look at the latest macOS updates and how to enable updates on your Mac. Since there's no one-size-fits-all maintenance option, let's look at the different macOS updates and what your best choice is.

What is the latest version of macOS?

On October 25, 2021, Apple released macOS 12.0 Monterey, the latest version of the operating system. macOS 13 is expected to be released in October 2022. Apple typically releases a new major version about once a year. These updates are available for free through the Mac App Store. The most recent version of Apple's Mac operating system is called macOS 12.0 Monterey. OS X 10.8 was the eighteenth major release of Mac.

Here's what's new in the latest macOS update:

With Universal Control, you can use one mouse, trackpad, and keyboard to move information between multiple Macs and iPads. Your Mac can serve as a speaker for multi-room music, and you can wirelessly play movies, games, photos, and more from your iPhone or iPad.

Safari also introduces an optional tab bar that fades into the background and tab groups for consolidating active tabs, making it easier to switch between tasks. Tab groups can be shared across devices.

Spatial Audio makes audio sound like it's coming from the screen, and Voice Isolation blocks out background noise. Wide Spectrum mode captures more of the room when multiple participants are on a call. And Portrait mode blurs your background, just like an iPhone photo.

With SharePlay, users can watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, and share their screen together on FaceTime and in third-party apps. A new “Shared with You” section in Messages surfaces content from Photos, Safari, Podcasts, News, and Apple TV.

All your Shortcuts (and more) will be available on Macs running macOS Monterey. Apple's Shortcuts app is built into macOS, where you can launch shortcuts from the menu bar, Finder, Spotlight, and Siri.

See also: History of macOS

People have a love-hate relationship with Macs. You might criticize their operating system, expensive hardware, and elitist vibe. Let's compare the models so you can find the one that's right for you.

Sierra (macOS 10.12)

Apple has rebranded Yosemite as “macOS,” and the Apple Watch can now unlock your Mac, among other iOS-like perks. There are new storage optimization features that offer a full view of your storage and tips for saving space. And Siri!

High Sierra (macOS 10.13)

macOS High Sierra introduced the HEIC format and the Apple File System (APFS), an enhanced replacement for HFS+. Safari, Mail, and Photos all received minor improvements.

Mojave (macOS 10.14)

The update lets Mac users adjust their screen's color temperature according to the time of day, for more comfortable viewing around the clock. iOS gains stock, news, and home apps.

Catalina (macOS 10.15)

macOS Catalina breaks up iTunes into separate Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. Sidecar lets you use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac, and developers can now convert iOS apps for macOS.

Monterey (macOS 12.0)

macOS Monterey introduced Shortcuts, which enables app workflows to be automated. It also supports Universal Control for seamless transitions between Mac and iOS devices (you can move the cursor from a Mac to an iPad), updated Safari with tab groups, and improved FaceTime features.

MacOS Comparison: Monterey vs Big Sur

Considering upgrading your macOS to Monterey? What are the key differences between MacOS Big Sur and Monterey? Discover all the new features and improvements in Monterey compared to Big Sur.

Why should you upgrade your macOS to the latest version?

Apple releases a new version of macOS every year, and those updates are free to download and install. There are plenty of good reasons to upgrade your macOS to the latest version, whether you're looking for better performance, new features, or compatibility with newer devices and software. It's usually a good idea to upgrade.

1. Firstly, new versions of macOS often come with **performance enhancements and bug fixes**. Updating to the latest macOS can make your Mac run more smoothly and efficiently. 2. Additionally, macOS updates frequently introduce **new features** that can make your life easier or boost productivity. So if you're looking for reasons to upgrade, improved performance and new features are two good incentives. 3. Lastly, upgrading to the newest macOS ensures compatibility with **the latest software and hardware**. If you're using an older version of macOS, you might find that some new apps and devices don't work properly. Updating to the latest release resolves this issue.

How do I upgrade to the latest macOS?

Use Software Update to download and install updates or upgrades to macOS and built-in apps, like Safari. Before you start, back up your Mac. Follow these instructions to install software updates.

Step 1: From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.

Step 2: Choose Software Update from the System Preferences.

Step 3: Click on Update/Upgrade Now:

To learn more about other ways to upgrade to macOS, read on.

Everything You Need to Know About macOS Updates

Will upgrading to macOS erase my data?

Usually, upgrading macOS does not mess up your data. Pre-installed apps and settings are preserved. Many people upgrade to the latest major version of macOS whenever it comes out.

However, data loss can occur during the macOS upgrade if you have incompatible third-party software installed on your computer or peripheral devices connected to it.

If an unexpected event occurs during the upgrade, such as a sudden shutdown due to power depletion, it may interrupt the system upgrade process. Additionally, if the upgrade process takes too long, it could also result in data loss.

How to recover lost data after updating macOS?

If you experience data loss after upgrading to macOS, your first step should be to check your backups. If you don't have backups, you might be able to use data recovery software to restore lost files.

Tool Data Recovery Wizard is a powerful and user-friendly file recovery tool. It's feature-rich, well-designed, and easy to use. With its nice-looking and intuitive interface, Tool Data Recovery Wizard is an excellent alternative for Mac data recovery. Plus, the software can also help you recover data from Time Machine backup.

It also has a file filter to help limit your results, a bootable DVD option for data recovery when your OS won't start, and a “Recover to Cloud” tool to save your restored files directly to cloud storage.

Note: You can create a backup by clicking "Disk Backup" on the left first. You can then restore data from the backup image when the disk is damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost.

Step 1: Choose a location

Select the disk from which you lost data after upgrading to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur, and click “Search for Lost Files.”

Step 2: Preview and Find Lost Data

The "Tools" Data Recovery Wizard will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen, and display the scan results in the left pane. Use file types and file paths to locate the data you need on your Mac.

Step 3: Recover Data After Updating macOS

Select the target files that were accidentally lost during or after the update, and click "Recover" to get them all back.

Final Thoughts

This article will acquaint you with the latest version of macOS and walk you through the process of upgrading to it, as well as how to recover lost data. We highly recommend using the Data Recovery Wizard tool to retrieve lost data during the macOS update process. This tool can also assist in data recovery from a formatted hard drive.