Will Your Mac Work With macOS Big Sur?
Big Sur features a hot new design that brings it more in line with iPadOS, updated versions of Messages and Safari, and much more. But will it work with your Mac?
This fall, Apple unleashes the next version of macOS to the public. Big Sur features a hot new design that brings it more in line with iPadOS, updated versions of Messages and Safari, and much more. If you’re using a Mac right now, the odds are good that you’ll be able to install macOS Big Sur on it once the free update is released. However, not every device that supports macOS Catalina will get the update. Here are the computers that will run macOS Big Sur.
MacBooks
Though the 12-inch MacBook was discontinued in 2019, you can still find macOS Big Sur support across the entire 2015-19 MacBook lineup. For the other two MacBook models, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, you have to go back seven years before you find a model macOS Big Sur won’t support.
- A MacBook: 2015 and later
- MacBook Air: 2013 and later
- MacBook Pro: Late 2013 and later
Dropped support from macOS Catalina: The 2012 MacBook Air and 2012 MacBook Pro have reached the end of the line and won’t support macOS Big Sur.
Mac mini
There haven’t been many Mac mini updates in recent years. Despite this, most will support the next macOS version.
- Mac mini: 2014 and later
Dropped: There’s no macOS Big Sur update coming for 2012 Mac mini users.
iMac
The long-running iMac series currently features 21.5-inch and 27-inch models. Regardless of the size, they both support macOS Big Sur going back six years.
Dropped: MacOS Big Sur won’t support 2013 and 2013 iMac models, which will be stuck with macOS Catalina security updates only.
iMac Pro
The $5K+ iMac Pro was first launched in 2017 and since then, there has never been a significant hardware update made. Perhaps this lack of love on Apple’s part is the reason all iMac Pro models in the world will support macOS Big Sur.
Mac Pro
Finally, macOS Big Sur will support both the 2013 and 2019 Mac Pro, just like macOS Catalina.
When Will macOS Big Sur Arrive?
With history as a guide, macOS Big Sur will probably launch in September or October as a free update in the Mac App Store. Until then, you can sign up and use the free public beta version. It’s a great way to experience pre-release software, although you are likely to experience some bug during the process, which is something to keep in mind.
Besides macOS Big Sur, Apple is also in the process of completing work on iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7, and tvOS 14. Those free software updates are also expected to launch in the coming weeks.
