macOS Mojave

macOS Mojave. Version 10.14 of Apple's desktop operating system, succeeded macOS High Sierra and preceded macOS Catalina. It was announced at the WWDC 2018 keynote and publicly released in September 2018. This iteration introduced a significant visual overhaul with a system-wide Dark Mode, alongside new applications and enhanced security features.

Overview

The development of this release was led by Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. It continued the established naming convention of using California landmarks, referencing the Mojave Desert. A primary focus was refining the user experience for creative professionals, with updates to core applications like Photos and the introduction of new pro-oriented tools. The update also marked a pivotal step in the platform's future, as it was the last version to support 32-bit applications, a change signaled during WWDC 2017.

Features

The most prominent addition was a system-wide Dark Mode, which applied a dark color scheme to the menu bar, Dock, and built-in applications like Finder and Mail. A new Dynamic Desktop feature automatically shifted the desktop wallpaper between light and dark versions based on the time of day. The Stacks feature organized cluttered desktop files into neat groups by file type. New applications arrived from iOS, including News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and HomeKit, which integrated with the Home app. The Mac App Store received a complete redesign inspired by the iOS App Store. Enhancements were made to screenshot and Quick Look utilities, and Continuity Camera allowed using an iPhone to scan documents directly into a Mac. The Metal graphics API was updated, and Create ML tools were introduced for on-device machine learning.

System requirements

This operating system required a Mac with 64-bit Intel processors and at least 2 GB of memory. Supported models included the MacBook (Early 2015 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid-2012 or newer), MacBook Pro (Mid-2012 or newer), Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer), iMac (Late 2012 or newer), iMac Pro (all models), and Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus Mid-2010 and Mid-2012 models with a recommended Metal-capable GPU). It required approximately 12.5 GB of available storage for installation. The discontinuation of 32-bit app support meant many older applications from developers like Adobe and Microsoft required updates to function.

Release history

The first developer beta was released following the WWDC 2018 announcement in June. A public beta program followed in late June. Several subsequent beta versions were issued to developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. The final version, 10.14, was released to the public on September 24, 2018. Subsequent updates addressed security vulnerabilities, added features, and improved stability. Notable point releases included 10.14.4, which added Apple News+ support, and 10.14.5, which introduced support for the 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro. The final update, 10.14.6, included important security fixes. Official support ended in November 2021, following the release of macOS Monterey.

Reception

Reviewers from publications like The Verge, Ars Technica, and TechCrunch praised the Dark Mode and the utility of features like Stacks and the enhanced screenshot tool. The redesigned Mac App Store was seen as a significant improvement. However, some critics noted the relatively light set of major new features compared to previous releases. The transition away from 32-bit software, while anticipated, was a point of contention for users reliant on legacy applications from companies like Adobe and Microsoft. Overall, it was considered a polished, incremental update that successfully modernized the interface and strengthened the integration between macOS and iOS.

Category:macOS versions Category:2018 software Category:Unix operating systems