Apple released the first version of macOS Ventura to Mac users on Monday, October 24th. Here’s what you need to know about the new features, whether they’ll run on your Mac, and how Apple’s apps including Mail and Safari will change.
Update 10/24: 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 comes from a landmark or area in California, as has been the tradition since Mavericks launched in 2013. Before that, big cats were used as names for Apple’s Mac operating systems (Jaguar, Lion, etc.). This time the version number will be 13 (unfortunate for some, but that didn’t stop 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 24th. As with previous releases, it became available for download at 10:00 am PT.
macOS Ventura: Latest beta version
Apple has released the first beta version of macOS 13.1 for developers. It includes a first look at the Freeform collaborative app.
macOS Ventura: Compatibility
Apple has confirmed that macOS Ventura supports the following Macs:
- MacBook models from 2017 or later
- MacBook Air models from 2018
- MacBook Pro models from 2017
- Mac mini models from 2018
- iMac models from 2017 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from 2019
- Mac Studio (all models)
This means the following Macs previously supported by Monterey have now been delisted:
- iMac (models from 2015)
- MacBook Air (2015 and 2017 models)
- MacBook Pro (2015 and 2016 models)
- Mac mini (2014 models)
- Mac Pro (2013 Model – Cylinder/Trash Can)
- MacBook (2016 model)
The 2014 Mac mini was sold through 2018, the “trashcan” Mac Pro was sold through 2019, and the 2017 MacBook Air was sold through July 2019. I bought the model so recently. At least they will be supported by macOS Monterey for at least two more macOS generations. See: As long as Apple supports Macs. To find out if your Mac supports Ventura, see: macOS 13 Ventura Compatibility: Can Your Mac Run the Latest Version?
Some of the Macs supported by Ventura may not support all new features. Read: New macOS features that only work on the latest Macs.
Wondering how Ventura compares to Monterey? Read macOS Ventura vs Monterey.
macOS Ventura: Known issues
So far there are no known bugs or issues with macOS Ventura. We will update this section as they occur.
macOS Ventura: New features
stage manager
The continuity evolves with the introduction of Stage Manager – a new way of managing your desktop clutter that reminds us a bit of Spaces because it lets you organize and hide workspaces, albeit along the side of your screen rather than the top . How to organize your windows with Stage Manager.
continuity camera
Another continuity-related feature allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam and transfer a FaceTime call from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac. Continuity Camera is a great way to take advantage of iPhone’s superior camera. A really impressive feature is the desk view, which shows the person you’re calling two views – your face and your desk. Using the iPhone camera means Mac users can benefit from features like Portrait mode and Center Stage and the new Studio Light feature. Read how to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
You can now set up an album in Photos where you can choose up to five people to add and quickly share any photos and videos with each other. Here’s how to set it up on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
headlight
Apple’s way of searching your Mac – Spotlight – has also been revamped. With Quick Look, you can preview files and search photos by location, objects, people, and more. Live text improvements mean you can search for text in images and videos. Users can even create a new document, start a timer, or more in Spotlight. More information here: How Apple improved Spotlight search in Ventura.
memories
In macOS Ventura, Apple added several new features to make Reminders more helpful. You can see your reminders grouped by time and date, you can pin a list, and save lists to use as templates. Read more about the new features in Reminders here: Reminders in macOS Ventura.
system settings
System Preferences is the new name for System Preferences. A name that iOS users will likely feel at home with. Read our in-depth article on how Apple overhauled System Preferences in macOS Ventura. We also discuss Mac preferences, which have a new location in Ventura’s System Preferences, including Storage, Hot Corners, Extensions, Mission Control, Appearance, Time Machine, and Warranty Information.
background noise
You can play soothing white noise on your Mac in Ventura, including the sound of rain, the ocean, or a stream. Read: How to Play Soothing White Noise in macOS Ventura.
To play
Expect gaming on the Mac to really take off (well, Apple does anyway). Apple says any new Mac will be able to run AAA games “with ease.” Improvements in Metal 3, MetalFX upscaling and Fast Resource Loading API should benefit game developers.
AirPods
In macOS Monterey and earlier, users couldn’t control many of AirPod’s settings, but that’s changing in Ventura. When Ventura launches, users will finally get access to all AirPods settings, just like they do in iOS. Read more here: Complete AirPods settings for your Mac.
macOS Ventura: App Updates
Over the years, Apple has also made changes to various apps that come with the Mac at the same time as updating the Mac operating system, and we can expect more this year. Several new features are being introduced for Safari and Mail along with updates to the weather, clock and new accessibility features (e.g. live captions).
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Mail now has improved search, but probably the most anticipated feature will be the ability to cancel an email’s delivery after clicking send (we assume there’s a time limit here), and also the ability to send an email to schedule mail. Both are features offered by third parties, but it’s good to see them coming to Apple’s email software. For more information, see How to unsubscribe and schedule emails in Apple Mail.
There’s some confusion over the inclusion of the Hide My Mail feature, which should mean there’s no need to share your email with third parties. Initially, Apple referred to the feature, but it has since been removed from the webpage describing email features in Ventura, at least in some countries. Hide My Email isn’t new to Ventura – it arrived in Monterey in 2021, but in Ventura Apple should be expanding it to third parties.
Messages
Like its iOS counterpart, Messages on the Mac allows users to edit a message once sent and recover accidentally deleted messages.
safari
Passkeys are generated as a more secure means of identifying you and are associated with Touch ID or Face ID. These replace passwords. Apple claims that “passkeys are unique digital keys that stay on the device and are never stored on a web server,” hence they are more secure as it’s impossible to lose one or phish one from someone.
You might want to read what to expect from Apple in 2022, as well as the latest iOS 16 information.
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