Why does Apple change the version of macOS every year?

[Sh3ldon]

I understand that they sell hardware and have every interest in making their machines obsolete as quickly as possible so people can buy new ones, but not everyone can afford to abandon machines that still work well just because they're no longer supported. I know you can extend the life of Intel machines using OCLP, but now with Apple Silicon, that won't be possible, and I don't want to convert my MacBook or iMac to Linux machines.

 

[Hrududu]

You answered your own question with your first sentence.

 

[Sh3ldon]

You answered your own question with your first sentence.

It's a real shame though.

 

[MBAir2010]

Q " annual version of macOS every year"

A simple by making their machines obsolete as quickly as possible so people can buy new ones!

S im happy I helped! version of macOS every year

 

[bogdanw]

Similar threads:
"Apple should stop bringing out a new OS every year" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-should-stop-bringing-out-a-new-os-every-year.2395367/
"Why macOS update every year?" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/why-macos-update-every-year.2318739/
"Why does there need to be a new macOS every year?" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/why-does-there-need-to-be-a-new-macos-every-year.2240426/

 

[maflynn]

If memory serves me, back when there was OS X 10.0, they had an annual cadence and they were adding new features galore annually, but around 10.3 they slowed it down, stating that they couldn't keep up with that cadence, larger updates that were bug free and they went every other year until 2013 when they started naming it from large cats to California locations.

Since then the depth of those updates seem to have gotten a lot shallower and less of them, i.e., maybe on big change with some smaller QoL changes.

At this point most operating systems are upadted annually, many Linux distros, Windows and MacOS. I think thats part of the reason now - just being part of the crowd. Also noted they're in the business of selling hardware, their software is always there to get you to buy their hardware (and lately services), so an annual update to keep having the newest shiniest thing in front of them makes sense.

 

[doogm]

The major reason is that their biggest product - by far - gets annual releases and adds features that Apple provides in the annual iOS software update. Many of these features are what you might call back-end (improvements to compatibility between platforms, for example) and Apple wants these features to be brought to their other products as well, and they feel the best way is to update the OS when they do.

One could argue that they could very easily simply have added features to Sonoma in September 2024 in MacOS 14.7, but instead they released MacOS Sequoia 15.

Obviously the xOS 26 releases are a different thing, with the new Liquid Glass UI elements that would not have been easily added to MacOS 15.7 in September.

 

[Gregg2]

Well, do auto manufacturers really need to offer new models of their vehicles every year? I think in any industry, the motivation for new models or versions is profit. It would seem problematic to have a 2026-2027 model or version for two years. Would sales be sustained in the second year? I doubt it.

 

[eyoungren]

I understand that they sell hardware and have every interest in making their machines obsolete as quickly as possible so people can buy new ones, but not everyone can afford to abandon machines that still work well just because they're no longer supported. I know you can extend the life of Intel machines using OCLP, but now with Apple Silicon, that won't be possible, and I don't want to convert my MacBook or iMac to Linux machines.

You don't have to be on this bandwagon if you choose not to.

I am typing this on a 2009 Mac Pro running Sonoma. iCloud works and virtually every service iCloud offers, although I don't use much of those services.

I have workarounds for a lot of things developed since 2006 when Apple abandoned PowerPC.

At some point Apple will start shutting things off for Sonoma. I then upgrade to Sequoia or Tahoe at that point and continue until Apple starts shutting things off for those versions of MacOS.

At some point in the near future I buy an M1 Mac Mini because it will enter my price range (around $250). At that point I've made the leap to more current versions of MacOS and the cycle continues.

By the time Apple shuts me down on the M1 and the latest OS at that time, I've either moved on to the next thing or things have developed that become alternatives.

I've done this since 2006, always 3-17 years behind the current model of Mac (depending), but always able to function and do what I need to do. Now, if you're the type of user that needs cutting edge Macs that can handle video production or some other demanding task then this isn't for you.

But acquiescing to Apple's preferred upgrade schedule is a choice.

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

You don't have to be on this bandwagon if you choose not to.

[...]

But acquiescing to Apple's preferred upgrade schedule is a choice.

Good point! I typically do every other major upgrade. I did Monterey, skipped Ventura, did Sonoma, skipped Sequoia, and now I have Tahoe.

The last time around, running Sonoma after Sequoia was released, it started giving me notifications to upgrade every two days, which I couldn't disable. Annoying!

 

[eyoungren]

Good point! I typically do every other major upgrade. I did Monterey, skipped Ventura, did Sonoma, skipped Sequoia, and now I have Tahoe.

The last time around, running Sonoma after Sequoia was released, it started giving me notifications to upgrade every two days, which I couldn't disable. Annoying!

Yeah, Apple seems to have taken a hard stance here. I'm a lurker over at OCLP's subreddit and it seems a lot of users are getting caught out by Tahoe automatically downloading and installing. Since the current public release of OCLP does not support Tahoe (at this time) this is essentially bricking users Macs.

For me, I've had the notification but so far nothing has been pushed. I don't know if that's luck or because something in my hardware/OS/Little Snitch is preventing stuff.

But, yeah. Aside from it being rammed down your throat, this is a choice.

 

[MBAir2010]

For me, I've had the notification but so far nothing has been pushed. I don't know if that's luck or because something in my hardware/OS/Little Snitch is preventing stuff.

But, yeah. Aside from it being rammed down your throat, this is a choice.

ohhhh do I fear an auto download of Tahoe on my Macs,
so shut them down overnight and unplug the router.
if I do get the tahoe program, I can alway delete that from "something-somewhere" on my Monterey Macs.
then... both my early intel demand Catalina while my MtLion ssd stays put.

I see me getting an Asus Yoga hockey puck computer and Dell XPS 14" in 2027
since this Monterey set up won't last as long and i'm getting tired of this  mind trick card game.

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

Yeah, Apple seems to have taken a hard stance here. I'm a lurker over at OCLP's subreddit and it seems a lot of users are getting caught out by Tahoe automatically downloading and installing. Since the current public release of OCLP does not support Tahoe (at this time) this is essentially bricking users Macs.

For me, I've had the notification but so far nothing has been pushed. I don't know if that's luck or because something in my hardware/OS/Little Snitch is preventing stuff.

But, yeah. Aside from it being rammed down your throat, this is a choice.

ohhhh do I fear an auto download of Tahoe on my Macs,
so shut them down overnight and unplug the router.
if I do get the tahoe program, I can alway delete that from "something-somewhere" on my Monterey Macs.
then... both my early intel demand Catalina while my MtLion ssd stays put.

I see me getting an Asus Yoga hockey puck computer and Dell XPS 14" in 2027
since this Monterey set up won't last as long and i'm getting tired of this  mind trick card game.

In Tahoe (and iOS 26), there's a setting under System Settings -> General -> Software Update where you can select automatic installation of updates, download but don't install, or do neither (don't download automatically). I don't remember exactly how it was for Sonoma, but I'm pretty sure it had similar options because it never automatically downloaded Sequoia. It just nagged me to install it.

 

[MBAir2010]

In Tahoe (and iOS 26), there's a setting under System Settings -> General -> Software Update where you can select automatic installation of updates, download but don't install, or do neither (don't download automatically).

nope, that was true,
I just got this now as I needed to quick shut off and reboot since tahoe started to auto load.
which was 24 minutes ago. MBA m1, safari launched.
that never happened...... only once with Ventura-Monterey
as im sticking with old Monterey not even latest Monterey.
on the mini im running Vivaldi as that might happen soon.
I can log out of iCloud on the mini- for good!

 

[eyoungren]

In Tahoe (and iOS 26), there's a setting under System Settings -> General -> Software Update where you can select automatic installation of updates, download but don't install, or do neither (don't download automatically). I don't remember exactly how it was for Sonoma, but I'm pretty sure it had similar options because it never automatically downloaded Sequoia. It just nagged me to install it.

That's just it though. Some of the users on that subreddit report having turned that off as you describe - yet finding that the setting got ignored and Tahoe was installed anyway.

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

That's just it though. Some of the users on that subreddit report having turned that off as you describe - yet finding that the setting got ignored and Tahoe was installed anyway.

Interesting. I'm not doubting what you say. All I can say is that it worked for me on a recent (2020) MBP without OCLP.

 

[eyoungren]

Interesting. I'm not doubting what you say. All I can say is that it worked for me on a recent (2020) MBP without OCLP.

Unfortunately, I cannot verify the veracity of what's been reported. I'm just repeating what I read. Of course people often fail to mention any part they may have played in a particular negative event, so there is that. OTOH, this is OCLP, so there could have been something that went wrong.

Who knows. I do have automatic updates shut off for my Mac though and I'm using Little Snitch to block as many Apple update IP addresses as I could find.

 

[Fishrrman]

The question:
Why does Apple change the version of macOS every year?

Because... step by step... they are gradually transmogrifying the Mac OS into "Mac iOS".
However, the process is being done very incrementally.

Like the frog in the pot of water on the stove.
The heat is turned up in small steps... until...

 

[Sh3ldon]

The question:
Why does Apple change the version of macOS every year?

Because... step by step... they are gradually transmogrifying the Mac OS into "Mac iOS".
However, the process is being done very incrementally.

Like the frog in the pot of water on the stove.
The heat is turned up in small steps... until...

I like iPhone and iPad but I would like to continue to use a macOS when I am on a Mac mini or Macbook.

At this rate, they'll soon take away the Finder....

Really hope not.