Apple reveals which Macs will run macOS Catalina

Users looking to benefit from Apple's forthcoming macOS Catalina innovations will need to have a desktop Mac or MacBook Pro from 2012 or later, or a MacBook from 2015 onwards.

Alongside its reveal of the new macOS Catalina at WWDC 2019, Apple has announced which Macs will be capable of running the updated operating system when it is launched to the public later this year.

A new page called "See if your Mac can run macOS Catalina" has appeared on Apple's website but it isn't entirely clear.

The summary is that 2012 desktop Macs like the Mac mini, iMac, iMac Pro and Mac Pro, or later will be compatible. With notebooks, Apple requires a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro from 2012 or later, or a MacBook from 2015 onwards.

Apple's guide to macOS Catalina compatibility

However, in the case of the MacBook Pro, there is some uncertainty. While Apple states "MacBook Pro 2012 or later," there were actually two models released that year, one in mid-2012 and another in late-2012.

Each entry on Apple's page, including those for MacBook Pros, includes a Learn More button which takes you through to how you can identify which Mac you've got. This identification page makes no reference to Catalina, though, so we can only presume that this macOS will run on both the "mid-2012" and "late 2012" models.

Apple released the first beta version of macOS Catalina to developers for testing on Monday, with members of the Public Beta Program due to receive the software in July.

12 Comments

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

About 5 years ago

So my late 2013 27” iMac 14,2 will run Catalina but should I upgrade? I was called away from my desk when the macOS announcements were being made. Any mention of Catalina being 64bit only or has Apple kicked that can of worms down the road?

archieny 12 comments · 12 Years

lkrupp said:

So my late 2013 27” iMac 14,2 will run Catalina but should I upgrade? I was called away from my desk when the macOS announcements were being made. Any mention of Catalina being 64bit only or has Apple kicked that can of worms down the road?

It's 64-bit only, it was announced as expected.

xyzzy01 143 comments · 15 Years

lkrupp said:

So my late 2013 27” iMac 14,2 will run Catalina but should I upgrade? I was called away from my desk when the macOS announcements were being made. Any mention of Catalina being 64bit only or has Apple kicked that can of worms down the road?

MacOS has been 64 bit for a while now... I have the same iMac specced to the max, and I've held off on upgrading: The last upgrades have been disappointing. The innards have been upgraded a bit, but no new design (less bezel, bigger screen), a bit behind on networking (no 802.11ax), meh graphics, no HDR on the screen, and no new stuff (T2, FaceID /Touch ID ). Storage also needs a redesign when it comes to what (5400 RPM drives should go out) and pricing.