Apple released the first version of macOS Ventura for Mac users on Monday, October 24. Here’s what you need to know about the new features, whether they’ll work on your Mac, and how Apple’s apps, including Mail and Safari, will change.
Update of 24/10: macOS 13 Ventura is now available for all users.
macOS Ventura: Name and release date
The Ventura name continues Apple’s recent tradition of giving each version of macOS a name in addition to a version number. As usual, the name is taken from a California landmark or region, as has been the tradition since Mavericks launched in 2013. Mac operating from Apple (Jaguar, Lion, etc.). This time the version number will be 13 (unlucky for some, but that hasn’t stopped Apple from calling the 2021 iPhone the iPhone 13).
Apple unveiled the features of the next version of macOS during the WWDC 2022 keynote on June 6 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The final version arrived on Monday, October 24. As with previous releases, it became available for download at 10:00 a.m. PT.
macOS Ventura: latest beta version
Now that the final version of macOS Ventura has arrived for all users, we expect the first macOS 13.1 beta to arrive soon for testers.
macOS Ventura: Compatibility
Apple has confirmed that the following Macs are supported by macOS Ventura:
- 2017 or later MacBook models
- 2018 or later MacBook Air models
- 2017 or later MacBook Pro models
- Mac mini models from 2018 or later
- 2017 or later iMac models
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from 2019 or later
- Mac Studio (all models)
This means that the following Macs, which were previously supported by Monterey, have now disappeared from the list:
- iMac (models from 2015)
- MacBook Air (models from 2015 and 2017 models)
- MacBook Pro (2015 and 2016 models)
- Mac mini (2014 models)
- Mac Pro (2013 model – cylinder/bin)
- MacBook (2016 model)
The 2014 Mac mini was sold through 2018, the “trash” Mac Pro through 2019, and the 2017 MacBook Air was sold through July 2019. We thought Apple wouldn’t remove these Macs from the list taken in charge, because people might have bought the model so little time ago. At least they will still be supported by macOS Monterey for at least two more macOS generations. See: This is how long Apple supports Macs. To find out if your Mac supports Ventura, read: macOS 13 Ventura compatibility: Can your Mac run the latest version?
Some of the Macs supported by Ventura may not support all new features. Lily: New macOS features that will only work on the latest Macs.
Wondering how Ventura compares to Monterey? Lily macOS Ventura vs. Monterey.
macOS Ventura: new features
Manager
The continuity continues to evolve with the introduction of Manager – a new way to manage your desktop clutter that reminds us a bit of Spaces, as it lets you organize work areas and hide them, but to the side of your screen, rather than up top. Here is how to use Stage Manager to organize your windows.
Continuity Camera
Another Continuity-related feature lets you use your iPhone as a webcam as well as transfer a FaceTime call from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac. The Continuity Camera is a great way to take advantage of the iPhone’s superior camera. A really impressive feature is Desk View, which shows two views for the person you’re calling – your face and your desk. Using the iPhone’s camera means Mac users can take advantage of features like Portrait mode and Center Stage, as well as the new Studio Light feature. Learn more how to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
You can now set up an album in Photos that lets you select up to five people who can all add photos and videos and quickly share them with each other. Here is how to configure it on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Projector
Apple’s method of finding your Mac – Spotlight – has also received an overhaul. Quick Look allows you to preview files and you can search photos by location, objects, people, etc. Improvements to live text mean you’ll be able to search for text in images and videos. Users will even be able to create a new document, start a timer, or more, from Spotlight. More information here: How Apple Improved Spotlight Search in Ventura.
Reminders
In macOS Ventura, Apple added several new features to make Reminders more useful. You will be able to see your reminders grouped by time and date, you can pin a list and save lists to use as templates. Check out the new Reminders features here: Reminders in macOS Ventura.
System Parameters
System Settings is the new name for System Preferences. A name that iOS users will probably feel comfortable with. Learn more how Apple revamped System Preferences in macOS Ventura in our detailed article.
background noise
You can play soothing white noise on your Mac in Ventura, including the sound of rain, ocean, or a stream. Lily: How to Play Soothing White Noise in macOS Ventura.
Games
Expect gaming on the Mac to really take off (well, Apple is doing it anyway). Apple says every new Mac will be able to run AAA games “with ease”. Improvements to Metal 3, MetalFX Upscaling, and Fast Resource Loading API should benefit game developers.
AirPods
In macOS Monterey and earlier, users couldn’t control much of the AirPods settings, but that changes in Ventura. When Ventura launches, users will finally have access to all AirPods settings, just like in iOS. Learn more here: Full AirPods settings coming to your Mac.
macOS Ventura: app updates
Over the years, along with Apple updating the Mac operating system, it has also made changes to various applications that ship with the Mac, and we can expect more this year. Several new features are coming to Safari and Mail as well as updates to weather, clock, new accessibility tools (such as Live Captions).
Mail has now improved search, but probably the most anticipated feature will be the ability to undeliver an email after hitting send (we imagine there’s a delay here) and also to schedule delivery. sending an e-mail. Both are third-party features, but it’s good to see them coming to Apple’s email software. Lily How to Unsend and Schedule Emails in Apple Mail for more information.
There is some confusion over the inclusion of the Hide My Mail feature, which means there is no requirement to share your email with third parties. Initially, Apple referred to the feature, but it has since been removed from the webpage describing Ventura’s email features, at least in some countries. Hide My Email isn’t new to Ventura — it came to Monterey in 2021, but in Ventura Apple needed to roll it out to third parties.
posts
Like its iOS counterpart, Messages on Mac will allow users to edit a message once sent and recover accidentally deleted messages.
Safari
Passkeys will be generated as a more secure way to identify you and are associated with Touch ID or Face ID. These will replace the passwords. Apple claims that “pass keys are unique digital keys that stay on the device and are never stored on a web server”, so they are more secure because it is impossible to divulge one, or anyone of you hook it.
You might like to read about what to expect from apple in 2022 also the latest information about iOS 16.