Code & architecture

macOS

Also called: Mac OS

The short version

macOS is the operating system Apple makes for Mac computers.

The software running a Mac

macOS manages files, memory, devices, and the apps on a Mac. It provides the desktop and built-in tools people use to interact with the computer. It is Unix-based, which means it shares some underlying ideas and tools with other Unix-like systems.

Mac apps are usually built and tested for macOS. A Mac can also use web apps that run in a browser. Operating system updates can change which app versions and devices are supported.