macOS Sonoma update live: Top new features for your MacBook, Mac and iMac

The iOS 17 fever hasn’t even begun to die down, and Apple has already thrown in a treat for macOS users too. We’re talking about macOS Sonoma, the new operating system that will power newer Macs, MacBooks, and iMacs. The update, first announced at WWDC 2023 earlier this year, comes with additions like widgets, new privacy features, and even a dedicated game mode.

Let’s take a deeper dive into all new features, learn which machines are eligible for the update, and how you can get macOS Sonoma for yourself.

macOS Sonoma: New features

Widgets and screen savers

Love the widgets that were introduced in iOS 16 and made interactive with iOS 17? macOS Sonoma now brings them to your desktop. Widgets will allow users to do tasks like complete reminders, control media playback and access home controls straight from their desktop. Continuity also lets you customise your Mac with widgets from your iPhone.

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Screen savers may not be everyone’s cup of tea, for those who like them, Sonoma comes with a wide selection of slow-motion screen savers that capture the best of nature from around the world. Also thrown in is a cool transition to your desktop.

App-free video conferencing

For those using your Macs and MacBooks for collaborative work, macOS Sonoma comes with multiple new changes, but perhaps the most impressive of these is the new emphasis on video conferencing. Users can now conference without any video conferencing app and a new Presenter Overlay feature allows them to be displayed in the content window they are sharing.

Meanwhile, other members will be able to trigger full-screen AR-effects using hand gestures, similar to FaceTime on iOS 17. These include hearts, confetti and balloons, among some other effects.

New Safari features

No OS update is complete without a few new features for surfing. On macOS Sonoma, those new additions include Profiles for Safari, which let users organise multi-tabbed browsing sessions better. Private Browsing, meanwhile, gets better at dealing with sites that try hard to track you. Your favourite websites can also now be locked to the macOS dock, like with any other app.

Game Mode

With the rising GPU capabilities of Apple’s M-series MacBooks as well as newer Macs, gaming has inevitably become a focus area. With Sonoma, a new Game Mode brings a dedicated performance mode to Mac games. Apple promises more consistent framerates as well as lower latency with audio accessories and controllers. Users can currently enjoy titles like Stray and Death Stranding, but more titles are expected to come Mac in the future with the addition of the Game Mode.

Other features

Sonoma also adds features like iCloud Keychain, which allows users to share a set of passwords amidst a group of trusted users while keeping the credentials end-to-end encrypted. One-time verification codes in Mail can now be automatically picked up by Safari too. The new Notes tool now sports built-in support for PDFs, scans and more.

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For messages, Sonoma users now get search filters and swipe-to-reply capabilities. The new Live Stickers feature from iOS 17 also comes here, along with intelligent grocery lists in the Reminders app and better autocorrect.

macOS Sonoma: Eligible devices

Apple’s new macOS Sonoma update is compatible with the following devices.

MacBook Pro series

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023), MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Air series

MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023), MacBook Air (M2, 2022), MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019), MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

iMac and iMac Pro series

iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac Pro (2017)

Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro series

Mac mini (2023), Mac mini (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2018), Mac Studio (2023), Mac Studio (2022), Mac Pro (2023), Mac Pro (2019)

How to update to macOS Sonoma

To update your MacBook, Mac or iMac, users can make use of the Software Update functionality. To do this, first backup all important files, and make sure you are on a stable Wi-FI network with enough power.

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Head to the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. If you’re on an older macOS version and cannot find the above pathway, you can also try Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. Once you find the new update, follow on-screen instructions to download and install the same.

Wait for the update to install and you’re ready to roll with macOS Sonoma. Enjoy all the new features!