Apple releases list of Macs that will run macOS Big Sur

Apple's forthcoming macOS Big Sur will be available to select Macs produced from 2013 and onward, leaving the original Retina MacBook Pro behind.

Apple has revealed the new macOS Big Sur at WWDC 2020, and subsequently announced the list of Macs capable of running the updated operating system when it is released to the public later this year.

Apple says that the list of compatible Macs date back to 2013, leaving behind the first generation of Retina Macs.

Macbook (2015 and later)
MacBook Air (2013 and later)
MacBook Pro (2013 and later)
Mac mini (2014 and later)
iMac (2014 and later)
iMac Pro (all models)
Mac Pro (2013 and later)

Apple lists compatible devices on the macOS Big Sur preview page. Each entry includes a Learn More button which takes you through to how you can identify which Mac you have.

Apple has released the first beta version of macOS Big Sur to developers for testing on Monday. Those in the Public Beta Program will be able to demo the software later this summer.

AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly recommend users don't install the betas on primary devices or hardware they deem as "mission-critical" at all, as there is the highly remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Testers should instead install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices as a safer alternative, and to always make sure there are sufficient backups of important data before updating.

Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.

10 Comments

riverko 246 comments · 9 Years

About 4 years ago

So, my MacBook Pro Retina mid 2012, the very first Retina, not supported anymore... Well, almost 8 years support of latest OS releases is still amazing... Will wait what hardware will be introduced with the Apple Silicone later this year...

adyb 205 comments · 13 Years

riverko said:

So, my MacBook Pro Retina mid 2012, the very first Retina, not supported anymore... Well, almost 8 years support of latest OS releases is still amazing... Will wait what hardware will be introduced with the Apple Silicone later this year...

I'm not surprised with them just going on the obsolete list, but I'm hoping to get a few more years use out of mine - I'll just have to stay away from the Apple stores when they do start bringing out the new Apple Silicon machines so that my resolve doesn't get tested!

frantisek 760 comments · 11 Years

riverko said:

So, my MacBook Pro Retina mid 2012, the very first Retina, not supported anymore... Well, almost 8 years support of latest OS releases is still amazing... Will wait what hardware will be introduced with the Apple Silicone later this year...

Do not worry that much. There is great community keeping old Macs happy. Writing from 2009 MPB nd Catalina.

anome 1545 comments · 16 Years

Looks like my Mac mini might be out of luck. Shame, since it's still working fine.

Then again, I'm sorely tempted to pay for a Developer licence just to get the Dev Kit. (The main thing stopping me, apart from the fact I'm not in active development of any Mac Software, is that I don't think that would guarantee I'd get one, from what they said in the keynote.)

rwes 200 comments · 11 Years

frantisek said:

riverko said:

So, my MacBook Pro Retina mid 2012, the very first Retina, not supported anymore... Well, almost 8 years support of latest OS releases is still amazing... Will wait what hardware will be introduced with the Apple Silicone later this year...

Do not worry that much. There is great community keeping old Macs happy. Writing from 2009 MPB nd Catalina.

Great machine - I just traded in my 2012 15" MBP Retina with Apple/Phobio for some $. Got a 2019 13" which will be handed down much more quickly (2 family members who need new computers soon) and expect to get the next 16" model, if that happens this year.