macOS Sonoma: Features, compatible Macs, and top stories

Like macOS Ventura, Sonoma comes with System Settings as the replacement for System Preferences. With that, the Mac System Report isn’t where it used to be. Here’s how to find it to get all the fine details of your Mac.

Apple has issued the first release candidate versions of more upcoming software updates. Following iOS 17.4 RC last week, Apple just dropped release candidate versions of visionOS 1.1, macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, and tvOS 17.4.

With iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, Apple has introduced new camera gestures that show 3D reactions such as a thumbs up, balloons, and even fireworks. However, as these reactions are enabled by default, they have embarrassed many users in some situations – but Apple may end up turning these effects off by default.

Update: The public beta is now available as well.

Apple has released the first watchOS 10.4 and macOS 14.4 developer betas. tvOS 17.4 and HomePod 17.4 public betas are also available now.

Apple has updated the Mac to macOS Sonoma version 14.3. New features include Apple Music collaborative playlists like iOS 17.3 and more.

Apple has released iOS 17.2.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.2.1. Notably, the latter includes a patch for a vulnerability with screen sharing that can show others content from random “spaces” on your Mac when it looks like your desktop is empty. Here are the details.

Apple has officially released macOS Sonoma 14.2, introducing promised new enhancements to Autofill for PDFs. The update also adds new features to Messages, Clock, and more.

Apple has just seeded developer beta and public beta testers with the second macOS Sonoma 14.2 release candidate this week. The build increases from version 23C63 to version 23C64. Release notes follow:

The fourth iOS 17.2, macOS 14.2, tvOS 17.2, and watchOS 10.2 developer and public betas are now available. The final version is expected to be ready in December. We’ll update you with any changes we discover. (Update: Here’s what’s new.)

New in macOS Sonoma, Apple gives everyone new reasons to never need to open Chrome again. One of those is a new feature for turning any website into an app on your Mac’s Dock. 

macOS Sonoma 14.2 beta 2 was released today, and it includes a helpful change for fans of Shazam music recognition. With this update, Shazam is now integrated directly into macOS and can be added to your Mac’s menu bar or Control Center.

macOS Sonoma is all about widgets. Whether it’s iPhone widgets on the Mac or Mac widgets on the desktop, macOS 14 lets you control and interact with widgets in new ways. Widgets truly are interactive for the first time, too. Like on iPhone and iPad, the Mac now lets you actually do tasks with widgets without launching the full app.

Apple on Monday announced a new generation of the MacBook Pro, as well as a new iMac – both powered by the M3 chip. These Macs are now available for pre-order, and shipping starts next week. And if you’ve bought one of the new Macs, a new build of macOS Sonoma is already waiting for you.

Hidden within Notes on macOS Sonoma is a handy new upgrade. Like iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Notes on macOS 14 gains the ability to links to other notes. Follow along to learn how it works.

After a few weeks of beta testing with users, Apple has officially released macOS Sonoma 14.1 for all Mac users. The update brings changes to the Music app and warranty information in System Settings. It also address two bugs dealing with Location Services and encrypted external drives.

iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma are now available to the public, and they bring many new features to FaceTime – including 3D reactions that appear when users reproduce specific gestures with their hands. However, these effects have been embarrassing users in some situations, such as online therapy sessions – and you might want to turn them off.

Now that iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma are available, you can forgo entering your password on icloud.com and apple.com domains thanks to newly added passkey support. Any Apple site on the web can rely instead on Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate your login. As part of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, your Apple ID is automatically assigned a passkey that can be used for iCloud and Apple sites.

Update: One day later, Apple has released public beta versions as well. The new update brings changes to Apple Music, AirDrop, and more.

Now that iOS 17 is the latest shipping software, Apple is ready to move on to iOS 17.1 for developer beta testers. The first iOS 17.1 beta is now available for iPhones with developer beta updates enabled.

Security researchers have highlighted a couple of potential iCloud Keychain issues you may want to be aware of in iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma.

One is that upgrading may switch the feature on if you previously had it off, while the second arises if you have the feature enabled and then toggle it off …

Apple on Tuesday released macOS Sonoma to the public, and the update brings multiple new features – including some minor ones. One thing users have probably noticed after installing the update is the new “Click wallpaper to reveal desktop” option that comes enabled by default, and, as the name suggests, it hides all windows when you click on the wallpaper.

If you’re annoyed by this new feature, don’t worry, there’s a way to turn it off.

macOS 14 is now available for all users and comes with new features like interactive widgets, Game Mode, 100+ wallpapers/screen savers, and more. But should you install macOS Sonoma on your Mac right away? Follow along for some advice to pick the best choice for your situation.