macOS Mojave
macOS Mojave (/moʊˈhɑːvi, mə-/ mo-HAH-vee) (version 10.14) is the fifteenth major release of macOS, Apple Inc.'s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. Mojave was announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 4, 2018, and was released to the public on September 24, 2018. The operating system's name refers to the Mojave Desert and is part of a series of California-themed names that began with OS X Mavericks.[3] It succeeded macOS High Sierra and was followed by macOS Catalina.
A version of the macOS operating system | |
The macOS Mojave desktop, showing the Dark Mode interface and the Stocks and Voice Memos applications ported from iOS | |
Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
OS family | |
Source model | Closed, with open source components |
Initial release | September 24, 2018[1] |
Latest release | 10.14.6 Security Update 2021-001[2] (18G8012) (February 1, 2021 ) [±] |
Update method | Software Update |
Platforms | x86-64 |
Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
License | APSL and Apple EULA |
Preceded by | macOS 10.13 High Sierra |
Succeeded by | macOS 10.15 Catalina |
Official website | https://www.apple.com/macos/mojave/ at the Wayback Machine (archived September 1, 2019) |
Support status | |
Supported |
Part of a series on |
macOS |
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macOS Mojave brings several iOS apps to the desktop operating system, including Apple News, Voice Memos, and Home. It also includes a much more comprehensive "dark mode", and is the final version of macOS to support 32-bit application software.[4][5]
Mojave was well received and was supplemented by point releases after launch.
Overview
macOS Mojave was announced on June 4, 2018, at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California.[1][6][7] Apple pitched Mojave, named after the California desert, as adding "pro" features that would benefit all users. The developer preview of the operating system was released for developers the same day,[7] followed by a public beta on June 26.[8] The retail version of 10.14 was released on September 24.[9] It was followed by several point updates and supplemental updates.
System requirements
Mojave requires a GPU that supports Metal, and the list of compatible systems is more restrictive than the previous version, macOS High Sierra.[10] Compatible models are the following Macintosh computers running OS X Mountain Lion or later:[11]
- MacBook: Early 2015 or newer
- MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer
- MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer, Retina display not needed
- Mac Mini: Late 2012 or newer
- iMac: Late 2012 or newer
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer; Mid 2010 or Mid 2012 models require a Metal-capable GPU[12]
macOS Mojave requires at least 2 GB of RAM as well as 12.5 GB of available disk space to upgrade from OS X El Capitan, macOS Sierra, or macOS High Sierra, or 18.5 GB of disk space to upgrade from OS X Yosemite and earlier releases. Some features are not available on all compatible models.[13]
Changes
System updates
macOS Mojave deprecates support for several legacy features of the OS. The graphics frameworks OpenGL and OpenCL are still supported by the operating system, but will no longer be maintained; developers are encouraged to use Apple's Metal library instead.[14]
OpenGL is a cross-platform graphics framework designed to support a wide range of processors. Apple chose OpenGL in the late 1990s to build support for software graphics rendering into the Mac, after abandoning QuickDraw 3D. At the time, moving to OpenGL allowed Apple to take advantage of existing libraries that enabled hardware acceleration on a variety of different GPUs. As time went on, Apple has shifted its efforts towards building its hardware platforms for mobile and desktop use. Metal makes use of the homogenized hardware by abandoning the abstraction layer and running on the "bare metal". Metal reduces CPU load, shifting more tasks to the GPU. It reduces driver overhead and improves multithreading, allowing every CPU thread to send commands to the GPU.[15]
macOS does not natively support Vulkan, the Khronos group's official successor to OpenGL. The MoltenVK library can be used as a bridge, translating most of the Vulkan 1.0 API into the Metal API.[16][17]
Continuing the process started in macOS High Sierra (10.13), which issued warnings about compatibility with 32-bit applications, Mojave issues warnings when opening 32-bit apps that they will not be supported in future updates. In macOS Mojave 10.14, this alert appears once every 30 days when launching the app, as macOS 10.15 will not support 32-bit applications.[5]
When Mojave is installed, it will convert solid-state drives (SSDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), and Fusion Drives, from HFS Plus to APFS. On Fusion Drives using APFS, files will be moved to the SSD based on the file's frequency of use and its SSD performance profile. APFS will also store all metadata for a Fusion Drive's file system on the SSD.[18]
New data protections require applications to get permission from the user before using the Mac camera and microphone or accessing system data like user Mail history and Messages database.[19]
Applications
Mojave features changes to existing applications as well as new ones. Finder now has metadata preview accessed via View > Show Preview, and many other updates,[23] including a Gallery View (replacing Cover Flow) that lets users browse through files visually.[24] After a screenshot is taken, as with iOS, the image appears in the corner of the display. The screenshot software can now record video, choose where to save files, and be opened via ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Command + 5.[25]
Safari's Tracking Prevention features now prevent social media "Like" or "Share" buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission. The browser also sends less information to web servers about the user's system, reducing the chance of being tracked based on system configuration.[26] It can also automatically create, autofill, and store strong passwords when users create new online accounts; it also flags reused passwords so users can change them.[27]
A new Screenshot app was added to macOS Mojave to replace the Grab app. Screenshot can capture a selected area, window or the entire screen as well as screen record a selected area or the entire display. The Screenshot app is located in the /Applications/Utilities/
folder, as was the Grab app. Screenshot can also be accessed by pressing ⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+5.
FaceTime
macOS 10.14.1, released on October 30, 2018, adds Group FaceTime, which lets users chat with up to 32 people at the same time, using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, or audio from Apple Watch. Participants can join in mid-conversation.[28]
App Store
The Mac App Store was rewritten from the ground up and features a new interface and editorial content, similar to the iOS App Store. A new 'Discover' tab highlights new and updated apps; Create, Work, Play and Develop tabs help users find apps for a specific project or purpose.[29]
iOS apps ported to macOS
Four new apps (News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home) are ported to macOS Mojave from iOS, with Apple implementing a subset of UIKit on the desktop OS.[30] Third-party developers would be able to port iOS applications to macOS in 2019.[31]
With Home, Mac users can control their HomeKit-enabled accessories to do things like turn lights off and on or adjust thermostat settings. Voice Memos lets users record audio (e.g., personal notes, lectures, meetings, interviews, or song ideas), and access them from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Stocks delivers curated market news alongside a personalized watchlist, with quotes and charts.[32]
User interface
Dark mode and accent colors
Mojave introduces "Dark Mode", a Light-on-dark color scheme that darkens the user interface to make content stand out while the interface recedes.[33] Users can choose dark or light mode when installing Mojave, or any time thereafter from System Preferences.[34]
Apple's built-in apps support Dark Mode.[34] App developers can implement Dark mode in their apps via a public API.[35]
A limited dark mode that affected only the Dock, menu bar, and drop-down menus was previously introduced in OS X Yosemite.[4]
Desktop
Stacks, a feature introduced in Mac OS X Leopard, now lets users group desktop files into groups based on file attributes such as file kind, date last opened, date modified, date created, name and tags.[24][25] This is accessed via View > Use Stacks.[23]
macOS Mojave features a new Dynamic Desktop that automatically changes specially made desktop backgrounds (two of which are included)[36] to match the time of day.[37]
Dock
The Dock has a space for recently used apps that have not previously been added to the Dock.[23]
Preferences
macOS update functionality has been moved back to System Preferences from the Mac App Store.[23][38] In OS X Mountain Lion (10.8), system and app updates moved to the App Store from Software Update.[39]
Reception
Mojave was generally well received by technology journalists and the press. The Verge's Jacob Kastrenakes considered Mojave a relatively minor update,[40] but Kastrenakes and Jason Snell thought the release hinted at the future direction of macOS.[41] In contrast, Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham felt that "Mojave feels, if not totally transformative, at least more consequential than the last few macOS releases have felt." Cunningham highlighted productivity improvements and continued work on macOS's foundation.[42]
TechCrunch’s Brian Heater dubbed Mojave "arguably the most focused macOS release in recent memory", playing an important role in reassuring professional users that it was still committed to them.[43]
Mojave's new features were generally praised. Critics welcomed the addition of Dark Mode.[44][45][34][46]
Release history
Previous release | Current release |
References
- Clover, Juli (September 24, 2018). "Apple Releases macOS Mojave With Dark Mode, Stacks, Dynamic Desktop and More". MacRumors. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- "About the security content of macOS Big Sur 11.2, Security Update 2021-001 Catalina, Security Update 2021-001 Mojave". Apple Support. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- "Apple is changing how its Macs work. Here's how". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- Miller, Chance (June 5, 2018). "Hands-on with dark mode in macOS 10.14 Mojave [Gallery]". 9to5Mac.
- "Apple Support - 32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later". Apple Support. September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
- "Watch the Apple WWDC Special Event". Apple. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- "Apple introduces macOS Mojave". Apple Newsroom (Press release). Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- Grunin, Lori (June 26, 2018). "MacOS Mojave beta: Hands-on with Dark Mode, Continuity Camera, Gallery View and more". CNET.
- "Apple releases macOS Mojave with Dark Mode, Apple News, and HomeKit". VentureBeat. September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- Thursday, Daniel Eran Dilger; June 28; 2018; PT, 07:01 am. "Why macOS Mojave requires Metal -- and deprecates OpenGL". AppleInsider. Retrieved October 19, 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- "How to upgrade to macOS Mojave". Apple Support. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- Hanson, Matt (September 25, 2018). "These older graphics cards are compatible with macOS Mojave". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- "macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications". Apple Support. September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Casella, Anthony (June 5, 2018). "OpenGL and OpenCL to be deprecated in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave". iMore.
- Dilger, Daniel E. (June 28, 2018). "Why macOS Mojave requires Metal — and deprecates OpenGL". Apple Insider. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- "Vulkan is coming to macOS and iOS, but no thanks to Apple". Ars Technica. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- Oh, Nate. "Bringing Vulkan to Apple's Platforms: Khronos Group Announces Open Source MoltenVK 1.0 & SDKs". Anandtech. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- Cunningham, Andrew (September 24, 2018). "macOS 10.14 Mojave: The Ars Technica review". APFS updates for hard drives and Fusion Drives.
- "Apple Details Upcoming Privacy and Security Protections in macOS Mojave". Archived from the original on June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- Hardwick, Tim (June 6, 2018). "macOS Mojave Removes Integration With Third-Party Internet Accounts Like Twitter and Facebook". MacRumors.
- "Install macOS 10.14 Mojave on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012)". support.apple.com. October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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- "New Safari privacy features on MacOS Mojave and iOS 12 crack down on nosy websites". CNET. June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- "Apple puts privacy and security foremost in iOS 12, macOS Mojave". MacWorld. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- Clover, Juli (October 30, 2018). "Apple Releases macOS 10.14.1 With Group FaceTime and New Emoji". MacRumors. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- "Apple is redesigning the Mac App Store in macOS Mojave". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- "New apps added in macOS Mojave: Apple News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos". 9to5Mac. June 4, 2018. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- Gartenberg, Chaim (June 4, 2018). "Apple will let developers port iOS apps to macOS in 2019". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- "Apple's Home app is coming to MacOS Mojave". CNET. June 4, 2018. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- "How to use Dark Mode on your Mac". Apple Support. Apple. March 25, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
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- Gallagher, William (October 1, 2018). "How to create your own Dynamic Desktops in macOS Mojave". AppleInsider. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
- Fingas, Jon (June 4, 2018). "macOS Mojave's dark mode makes late-night computing less painful". Engadget. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- Hardwick, Tim (June 5, 2018). "macOS 10.14 Mojave Removes Software Update Mechanism From the Mac App Store and Returns it to System Preferences". MacRumors. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- Whittaker, Zack (February 16, 2012). "OS X 'Mountain Lion' unifies software update into Mac App Store". ZDNet.
- Kastrenakes, Jacob (September 24, 2018). "MacOS Mojave Review: Dark Mode and a Preview of the Mac's Future". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Snell, Jason (September 24, 2018). "macOS Mojave review: At the inflection point". Six Colors. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Cunningham, Andrew (September 24, 2018). "macOS 10.14 Mojave: The Ars Technica review". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
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- Clover, Juli. "Apple Releases macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update to Address Wake From Sleep Bug". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
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- Clover, Juli. "Apple Releases iOS 12.4.1 With Jailbreak Vulnerability Fix". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
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- "MacOS Security Updates – Mojave 2020-002 & High Sierra 2020-002". Mr. Macintosh. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
External links
- macOS Mojave at the Wayback Machine (archived September 1, 2019) – official site
- macOS Mojave download page at Apple
Preceded by macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) |
macOS 10.14 (Mojave) 2018 |
Succeeded by macOS 10.15 (Catalina) |