In an exhilarating announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023, Apple has pulled back the curtain on Apple macOS Sonoma, the highly-anticipated iteration of its esteemed desktop operating system. This long-awaited update brings a plethora of notable enhancements, including support for desktop widgets, an innovative game mode, and dynamic moving aerial screensavers.
As per Apple’s customary release strategy, the Apple macOS Sonoma update also referred to as macOS 14, is expected to hit developer beta in the near future, followed by a public beta rollout in the ensuing weeks. The general availability of macOS Sonoma is slated for later this year, much to the delight of Mac users worldwide.
Apple macOS Sonoma revolutionizes desktop productivity with widgets
A standout feature of Apple macOS Sonoma is its seamless integration of widgets directly onto the desktop. Users can effortlessly drag widgets from the Notification Center and position them on their desktop, while also having the option to import widgets from their iPhones through Continuity, provided both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
These widgets, which can be interactive, granting the ability to perform various tasks such as managing to-do lists or controlling media playback and smart home devices, elegantly fade into the background when a window is opened, ensuring a distraction-free workflow. The integration of widgets into the macOS ecosystem solidifies Apple’s commitment to enhancing user productivity and personalization.
Game Mode for hardcore gamers
Apple has left no stone unturned in the pursuit of delivering an exceptional gaming experience on Mac. With the introduction of the revolutionary “Game Mode”, Apple macOS Sonoma places a premium on optimizing CPU and GPU resources for games, resulting in enhanced performance and reduced latency when using AirPods, Xbox, or PlayStation controllers.
This feature caters to gamers of all stripes, as it is compatible with every title available on the operating system. Demonstrating its dedication to the gaming community, Apple went above and beyond by enlisting the presence of renowned game developer Hideo Kojima during the live stream to announce the arrival of Death Stranding Director’s Cut on macOS.
Enhanced daily use
Apple macOS Sonoma elevates the videoconferencing experience by introducing the Presenter Overlay feature, allowing users to seamlessly display content, such as slideshows, behind them while remaining visible on camera. Complementing this innovation is a collection of reaction augmented reality (AR) effects that can be activated during calls, ensuring a fun and engaging communication experience across all videoconferencing applications.
Additionally, Apple has made significant strides in refining its web browser, Safari. Web apps now operate akin to regular macOS apps, boasting features like notifications and the ability to pin them to the dock. Users can now manage separate profiles, enabling customized cookies, browsing history, and tab group preferences depending on whether the browser is used for work or personal endeavors.
Strengthening privacy measures, private browsing windows provide enhanced protection against web tracking and automatically lock when inactive. Furthermore, Apple has prioritized the seamless sharing of passkeys and passwords via iCloud Keychain, ensuring a secure and hassle-free experience.
How to install Apple macOS Sonoma beta
As this is the initial developer beta release of macOS Sonoma, it is important to note that it may contain some bugs that could lead to app crashes and unexpected behavior. Therefore, we advise against installing the macOS Sonoma developer beta on your primary Mac device at this time.
Before proceeding with the download of the macOS Sonoma developer beta, we recommend that you first install the latest version of macOS Ventura on your Mac device. Additionally, it is always recommended to create a complete backup of your Mac to safeguard against any potential data loss. Once these precautions are taken, you can follow the steps below to download and install the macOS 14 Developer Beta on your Mac:
- Get the Apple Developers app from the App Store
- Launch the Developers app and navigate to the “Account” button located at the bottom left corner
- Click on the “Enroll Now” button and carefully follow the onscreen instructions to complete the enrollment process
- After enrollment, proceed to Settings -> General -> Software Update to initiate the installation of macOS Sonoma
- Within the Software Update section, locate the “i” button next to the Beta Updates option, and from the drop-down menu, select “macOS Sonoma Developer Beta”
- Once the update becomes available, click the “Upgrade Now” button, and the download process will commence
After the download completes, click the “Install Now” button to initiate the installation of macOS 14 Developer Beta on your Mac. And that’s it!
If you are already running a public beta build on your Mac, you can check for new software updates in the settings once the Apple macOS Sonoma beta update becomes available in July 2023. However, if you are not currently enrolled in Apple’s public beta program, follow the steps below to learn how to install the Apple macOS Sonoma public beta on your Mac:
- Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website and click on “Sign In”
- Log in using the same Apple ID associated with your MacBook
- Once signed in, click on “Enroll Your Devices”
- Locate and select the macOS tab, and carefully follow the on-screen instructions provided
- Access the General settings on your Mac and navigate to Software Update
- Within the Software Update section, select the “Beta Updates” option, and then choose “macOS Sonoma Public Beta”
Once you have completed the above steps, the macOS 14 Public Beta update will become available on your device. Simply click the “Upgrade” button to initiate the download and installation process.
By following these steps, you will be able to experience the exciting new features and improvements that Apple macOS Sonoma has to offer. Remember to exercise caution when installing beta software and always keep backups of your important data.
Apple macOS Sonoma supported devices
Every Mac device released post-2017 will be compatible with the upcoming macOS 14 Sonoma. Below is a comprehensive roster of supported Macs and MacBooks that can proceed with the installation of Apple macOS Sonoma:
- iMac Pro (2017)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) (Intel)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) (Intel)
- iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) (Intel)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) (Intel)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) (Intel)
- MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
- MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1, 2021)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1, 2021)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2, 2023)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch,M2, 2023)
- Mac Pro (Rack, 2019)
- Mac Pro (2019)
- Mac Pro (M2)
- Mac Studio
- Mac mini (2018)
- Mac mini (M1, 2020)
- Mac mini (M2, 2023)
Cross-platform harmony with Apple macOS Sonoma
In a bid to deliver a unified user experience, Apple has included several upgrades from iOS 17 within Apple macOS Sonoma. Noteworthy additions encompass improved autocorrect functionality, the ability to summon Siri without the prerequisite “hey” command, expedited form-filling in PDFs, and enhanced sticker capabilities. If you wish to utilize everything Apple macOS Sonoma has to offer, here is how to get iOS 17 beta.
These cross-platform enhancements further cement Apple’s commitment to harmonizing its ecosystem, enabling users to seamlessly transition between their Macs and iOS devices with unparalleled ease. At WWDC 2023, Apple will once again show its users why it is the best in its field and will lead this year’s technological developments.
WWDC created a great technological feast for us and we continue to analyze every moment of WWDC in detail for you. You can find other announcements made by Apple at WWDC 2023 in the links below.
