[Software] macOS 12 Monterey release date, features and everything you need to know

[THē-GHōST]

 

The macOS 12 Monterey is bringing a host of updates and new features to Macs and MacBooks, and Apple users are getting excited. The new macOS, which was announced at WWDC may not be out yet, but it’s already set tongues wagging by promising a substantial upgrade that most weren't expecting – including Shortcuts, a redesigned Safari, and Universal Control.
Luckily, folks won’t have long to wait. macOS 12 Monterey is expected to launch on October 18 at the company’s Fall 2021 event alongside the rumored MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) and MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021). As with its predecessors, it’s going to be available as a free upgrade, with its public beta already on hand for download if you’d like a head start on what's new.
If you’d like to hold on until the final version of macOS 12 Monterey is released, which we would recommend when most bugs and problems have been identified and fixed by early testers, it is slated for public release ‘this fall’ so you won’t have long to wait. In the meantime, here’s everything we know about Apple’s upcoming macOS. 

 

 

Cut to the chase
What is it? macOS 12 Monterey, the successor to macOS 11 Big Sur
When is it out? Later this year
How much will it cost? It will be free
macOS 12 Monterey system requirements
The list of Macs that will be able to run macOS 12 Monterey has been announced, with Apple promising that "macOS Monterey will support the broadest lineup of Macs in history, including the latest iMac, MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, as well as Apple’s Intel-based Macs".
Here are the devices that can run macOS 12 Monterey:

iMac late 2015 and later
iMac Pro 2017 and later
MacBook Air early 2015 and later
MacBook Pro early 2015 and later
Mac Pro late 2013 and later
Mac mini late 2014 and later
MacBook early 2016 and later
macOS 12 name: Monterey
Apple has announced macOS 12's new name: Monterey, picked due to it being part of Big Sur by the Californian coast.

macOS 12 Monterey release date
This was announced at WWDC, with a developer preview of macOS Monterey released alongside the announcement. This is only available to developers, but there will be a public beta version for you to try out in July.

While a September event traditionally confirms release dates for iOS and iPadOS, which happened, for the Mac it's been known to be a month later. Especially with rumors speaking about an upcoming M1X MacBook Pro, we may hear about a release date for Monterey in October.