macOS 26 supported devices — these Macs may not make the cut

News
By published

Older MacBook Pros, iMacs and iMac Pros may be out of luck

MacBook Pro 2021
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple's macOS Sequoia follow-up is expected to be released late this year alongside iOS 26 (or iOS 19 if the rumored rebrand doesn't take place).

The tech giant is reportedly going to overhaul the interface for all of its operating systems under the moniker Solarium, which is inspired by the translucent roundness of visionOS.

  • 2017 iMac Pro
  • 2018 Mac mini
  • 2018 MacBook Pro models
  • 2020 MacBook Air (with Intel chips)

It's not entirely surprising that those models would lose support for this year's version of macOS. They're already the oldest Apple computers that are officially compatible with macOS Sequoia, introduced in 2024.

They were likely on the chopping block for official support regardless of Apple's plan to redesign the UI.

Meanwhile, these are the devices that we expect should support the Solarium look:

  • 2019 MacBook Pro 2019 or later
  • 2019 Mac Pro or later
  • 2020 iMac or later
  • MacBook Air M1 or later
  • Mac mini M1 or later
  • Mac Studio — all models

The macOS 26 labeling has been rumored as a big change from Apple to unify all of its operating systems with a year-based convention. Similar to how car manufacturers name new versions of vehicles, the 26 would refer to 2026, but launch this year.

According to Apple Insider, the first developer beta for macOS 26 should come out around WWDC in June with a file size of around 17 GB, about 2 GB larger than Sequoia. They also believe Apple will keep its California naming convention with trademarks already filed for Redwood, Skyline or Diablo as potential options.

Apple's software plans will be made public during WWDC 2025, which is set to begin on June 9.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.