You should always use the latest version of Mac OS X. You can get updates from the Update tab in the Mac App Store. Older Macs that don't have the Mac App Store can get updates from Apple Support Downloads.
Tips
- Some computers shipped with different Mac OS X versions at different times. When a computer is not bundled with a later version, a "-" appears in the "Later Mac OS X included" column.
- The build information is available in the About This Mac window when you click the word "Version".
- Some Macs may include a slightly later build version (but same numbered version) of Mac OS X on the Install or Restore discs than was preinstalled on your computer.
- Do not use a Mac OS X version earlier than the one included with the computer.
- If you're using the Recovery Disk Assistant, you can only use the external recovery drive with the computer that created it.
Find build numbers for:
Mac OS X versions (builds) for Computers
iMac
| iMac | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) | Oct 2014 | 10.10 | 10.10.2 | 14A389, 14C109 |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014) | June 2014 | 10.9.3 | 10.9.4, 10.10.2 | 13D2061, 13E28, 14C109 |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) | Sept 2013 | 10.8.4 | 10.9, 10.9.2, 10.9.4, 10.10.2 | 12E4022, 13A603, 13C64, 13E28, 14C109 |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) | Sept 2013 | 10.8.4 | 10.9, 10.9.2, 10.9.4, 10.10.2 | 12E4022, 13A603, 13A1900, 13C64, 13E28, 14C109 |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) | Dec 2012 | 10.8.2 | 10.8.3 | 12C2034,12C3103, 12C2037, 12D78 |
| iMac (21.5 inch, Late 2012) | Nov 2012 | 10.8.1 | 10.8.2, 10.8.3 | 12B2517, 12C2034, 12D78 |
| iMac (Late 2011) | Sep 2011 | 10.7.3 | 10.8 | 11D2001, 12A269 |
| iMac (Mid 2011) | May 2011 | 10.6.6 | 10.6.7, 10.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.3 | 10J4026, 10J4139, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001 |
| iMac (Mid 2010) | Jul 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4 | 10D2322a, 10F2056, 10F2061, 10F2090, 10F2108 |
| iMac (27-inch, Quad Core, Late 2009) | Nov 2009 | 10.6.2 | - | 10C2234 |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) | Oct 2009 | 10.6.1 | 10.6.2 | 10A2155, 10C2234 |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) | Oct 2009 | 10.6.1 | 10.6.2 | 10A2155, 10C2234 |
| iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009) | Apr 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G3556, 10A432 |
| iMac (Early 2009 | Mar 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G2030, 9G3610, 10A432 |
| iMac (Early 2008) | Apr 2008 | 10.5.2 | 10.5.4 | 9C2028, 9E25 |
| iMac (Mid 2007) | Aug 2007 | 10.4.10 | 10.5, 10.5.2 | 8R4031, 9A581, 9A3129, 9C3033 |
| iMac (Late 2006, 20-inch) | Sep 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8 | 8K1106, 8N1430 |
| iMac (Late 2006, 24-inch) | Sep 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8 | 8K1123, 8N1430 |
| iMac (Late 2006, 17-inch CD) | Sep 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8, 10.4.10, 10.5.4 | 8K1106, 8N1430, 8R3032, 9E25 |
| iMac (Late 2006, 17-inch) | Sep 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8 | 8K1106, 8N1430 |
| iMac (Mid 2006, 17-inch) | Jul 2006 | 10.4.6 | - | 8I2057 |
| iMac (Early 2006) | Jan 2006 | 10.4.4 | 10.4.6 | 8G1165, 8G1171, 8G1172, 8I2040 |
Mac mini
| Mac mini | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| Mac mini (Late 2014) | Oct 2014 | 10.10 | 10.10.2 | 14A389, 14C109 |
| Mac mini (Late 2012) | Oct 2012 | 10.8.1 | 10.8.2, 10.8.3, 10.9, 10.9.2 | 12B2100, 12C2034, 12D78, 13A603, 13C64 |
| Mac mini (Mid 2011) | Jul 2011 | 10.7 | 10.7.2, 10.7.3, 10.8 | 11A2061, 11C74, 11D2001, 12A269 |
| Mac mini Server (Mid 2011) | Jul 2011 | 10.7 (Server) | 10.7.2, 10.7.3 (Server) | 11A2061, 11C74, 11D2001 (Server) |
| Mac mini (Mid 2010) | Jun 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4 | 10D2235, 10F2108 |
| Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server (Mid 2010) | Jun 2010 | 10.6.3 (Server) | - | 10D2235 |
| Mac mini (Late 2009) | Oct 2009 | 10.6 | 10.6.2 | 10A432, 10C2234 |
| Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server (Late 2009) | Oct 2009 | 10.6 (Server) | - | 10A433 |
| Mac mini (Early 2009) | Mar 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G2030, 10A432 |
| Mac mini (Mid 2007) | Aug 2007 | 10.4.10 | 10.5, 10.5.2, 10.5.4 | 8R3014, 8R3050, 8R4088, 9A581, 9A3129, 9C3033, 9E25 |
| Mac mini (Late 2006) | Sep 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8 | 8J2135, 8N1430 |
| Mac mini (Early 2006) | Mar 2006 | 10.4.5 | 10.4.6 | 8H1619, 8I2025 |
Mac Pro
| Mac Pro | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| Mac Pro (Late 2013) | Dec 2013 | 10.9 | 10.9.2, 10.9.4 | 13A4023, 13C64, 13E28 |
| Mac Pro (Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.3 | 10.8, 10.8.3 | 11D2001, 12A269, 12D78 |
| Mac Pro (Mid 2010) | Aug 2010 | 10.6.4 | 10.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.3 | 10F2521, 10F2554, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001 |
| Mac Pro with Mac OS X Server (Mid 2010) | Aug 2010 | 10.6.4 | 10.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.3 (Server) | 10F2522, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001 (Server) |
| Mac Pro (Early 2009) | Mar 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G3553, 10A432 |
| Mac Pro (Early 2008) | Jan 2008 | 10.5.1 | 10.5.2, 10.5.4 | 9B2117, 9C2031, 9E25 |
| Mac Pro | Aug 2006 | 10.4.7 | 10.4.8, 10.4.9, 10.4.10, 10.5 | 8K1079, 8N1430, 8N1250, 8K1124, 8P4037, 8R3032, 8R3041, 9A581, 9A3129 |
MacBook Pro
| MacBook Pro | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) | Mar 2015 | 10.10.2 | 14C2055 | |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) | Jul 2014 | 10.9.4 | 13E28 | |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) | Jul 2014 | 10.9.4 | 10.10.2 | 13E28, 14C109 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) | Oct 2013 | 10.9 | 10.9.2, 10.9.4 | 13A2093, 13C64, 13E28 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) | Oct 2013 | 10.9 | 10.9.2, 10.9.4 | 13A3017, 13C64, 13E28 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013) | Feb 2013 | 10.8.2 | 10.8.3 | 12C3103, 12D78 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013) | Feb 2013 | 10.8.2 | 10.8.3 | 12C3103, 12D78 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012) | Oct 2012 | 10.8.1 | 10.8.2 | 12B2100, ,12C2034, 12C3103 |
| MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.4 | 10.7.4, 10.8 | 11E2068, 11E2617, 12A269, 12C2032,12C2034,12C3103 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.3 | 10.7.4, 10.8 | 11D2097, 11E2617, 12A269 |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.3 | 10.7.4, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10.2 | 11D2515, 11E2617, 12A269, 13A603, 14C109 |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) | Oct 2011 | 10.7.2 | 10.7.3 | 11C74, 11C2002, 11D2001 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) | Oct 2011 | 10.7.2 | 10.7.3 | 11C74, 11C2002, 11D2001 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011) | Oct 2011 | 10.7.2 | 10.7.3 | 11C74, 11C2002, 11D2001 |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) | Feb 2011 | 10.6.6 | 10.6.7,10.7, 10.7.2 | 10J3210, 10J3331a, 10J4139, 11A511a, 11C74 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) | Feb 2011 | 10.6.6 | 10.6.7,10.7, 10.7.2 | 10J3210, 10J3331a, 10J4139, 11A511a, 11C74 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) | Feb 2011 | 10.6.6 | 10.6.7,10.7, 10.7.2 | 10J3210, 10J3331a, 10J4139, 11A511a, 11C74 |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) | Apr 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4 | 10D2125, 10F2108 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) | Apr 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4 | 10D2063a, 10D2094, 10D2101a, 10F2108 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) | Apr 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4 | 10D2063a, 10D2094, 10D2101a, 10F2108 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.7 | 10.6 | 9J3050, 10A432 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53 GHz, Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.7 | 10.6 | 9J3050, 10A432 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.7 | 10.6, 10.6.2 | 9J3050, 10A432, 10C2306 |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.7 | 10.6 | 9J3050, 10A432 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) | Jan 2009 | 10.5.6 | - | 9G2141 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) | Oct 2008 | 10.5.4 | - | 9E27 |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) | Oct 2008 | 10.5.5 | 10.5.6 | 9F2088, 9F2533, 9G2133 |
| MacBook Pro (Early 2008) | Feb 2008 | 10.5.2 | 10.5.4 | 9C2018, 9C2028, 9E25 |
MacBook Pro (2.4/2.2 GHz) |
Jun 2007 | 10.4.9 | 10.4.10, 10.5 | 8Q1058, 8R4049, 9A581, 9A3129 |
MacBook Pro (Core 2 Duo) |
Oct 2006 | 10.4.8 | - | 8N1037, 8N1051, 8N1430 |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch) | Apr 2006 | 10.4.6 | - | 8I2032 |
| MacBook Pro | Feb 2006 | 10.4.5 | 10.4.6 | 8G1453, 8I1121 |
MacBook Air
| MacBook Air | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015) | Mar 2015 | 10.10.2 | 14C2043 | |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015) | Mar 2015 | 10.10.2 | 14C2043 | |
| MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014) | April 2014 | 10.9.2 | 10.9, 10.9.2, 10.9.4 | 13C64, 13E28 |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014) | April 2014 | 10.9.2 | 10.9, 10.9.2, 10.9.4 | 13C64, 13E28 |
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013) |
Jun 2013 |
10.8.4 |
10.9, 10.9.2 |
12E3067, 13A603, 13C64 |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013) | Jun 2013 | 10.8.4 | 10.9, 10.9.2 | 12E3067, 13A603, 13C64 |
| MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.4 | 10.8, 10.8.3 | 11E2520, 11E2702, 12A269, 12D78 |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) | Jun 2012 | 10.7.4 | 10.8, 10.8.3 | 11E2520, 11E2702, 12A269, 12D78 |
| MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011) | Jul 2011 | 10.7 | 10.7.2, 10.7.3 | 11A2063, 11C74, 11D2001 |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011) | Jul 2011 | 10.7 | 10.7.2, 10.7.3 | 11A2063, 11C74, 11D2001 |
| MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010) | Oct 2010 | 10.6.4 | 10.6.5 | 10F3061,10H717 |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010) | Oct 2010 | 10.6.4 | 10.6.5 | 10F3061,10H717 |
| MacBook Air (Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G2152, 10A432 |
| MacBook Air (Late 2008) | Nov 2008 | 10.5.5 | 10.5.6 | 9F2523, 9F2533, 9G2133 |
| MacBook Air (Early 2008) | Jan 2008 | 10.5.1 | 10.5.2, 10.5.4 | 9B2324, 9C3033, 9E25 |
MacBook
| MacBook | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) | April 2015 | 10.10.2 | 14C2061 | |
| MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010) | May 2010 | 10.6.3 | 10.6.4, 10.7.2 | 10D2162, 10F2108, 11C74 |
| MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) | Oct 2009 | 10.6 | 10.6.1 | 10A2047, 10A2062, 10F2108 |
| MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009) | Jun 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6 | 9G2110, 10A432 |
| MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009) | Jan 2009 | 10.5.6 | - | 9G2110 |
| MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) | Oct 2008 | 10.5.5 | 10.5.6 | 9F2088, 9F2533, 9G2133 |
| MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008) | Oct 2008 | 10.5.4 | - | 9E27, 9E29 |
| MacBook (13-inch Early 2008) | Feb 2008 | 10.5.2 | 10.5.4 | 9C2015, 9C2028, 9E25 |
| MacBook (13-inch Late 2007) | Oct 2007 | 10.5 | - | 9A3111, 9A3115A |
| MacBook (13-inch Mid 2007) | May 2007 | 10.4.9 | 10.4.10 | 8P4112, 8R3025, 8R3032, 8R3050 |
| MacBook (Late 2007) | Nov 2007 | 10.5 | - | 9A3110, 9A3111, 9A3115a |
| MacBook (Late 2006) | Nov 2006 | 10.4.8 | - | 8N1108, 8N1150, 8N1430 |
| MacBook | May 2006 | 10.4.6 | - | 8I2025 |
Xserve
| Xserve | Date introduced | Original Mac OS X Server included (see Tips 1 and 3) |
Later Mac OS X Server included (see Tip 1) |
Mac OS X Build(s) (see Tip 2) |
| Xserve (Early 2009) | Apr 2009 | 10.5.6 | 10.6.1 | 9G4008, 10A2054 |
| Xserve (Early 2008) | Jan 2008 | 10.5.1 | 10.5.4 | 9B2117, 9E26 |
| Xserve (Late 2006) | Nov 2006 | 10.4.8 | 10.4.10 | 8N1215, 8R3031 |
Learn more
These articles may help you identify your Mac.
- How to identify your iMac
- How to identify Mac mini models
- How to identify a Mac Pro (8-core) computer
- How to visually identify your MacBook
- How to visually identify a MacBook Pro
- How to identify your MacBook Air
If you have a PowerPC-based Mac, see Mac OS: Versions, builds included with PowerPC Macs (since 1998).
