Unlike Windows, which relies on straightforward numbers (like Windows 10 or Windows 11), Apple uses a combination of numbers and California-themed marketing names for its Mac operating systems. You might hear people talking about macOS Sonoma, macOS Ventura, or macOS Monterey.
If you are trying to download software that requires a specific version of macOS, or if you are following a troubleshooting guide, you need to know exactly which version your computer is currently running. Fortunately, Apple makes this incredibly easy to find.
How to Check Your Current macOS Version
You can find all of your core system information in a single menu.
- Click the Apple Logo in the absolute top-left corner of your screen.
- From the drop-down menu, select About This Mac.
A small window will pop up in the center of your screen. The very first thing you see in large, bold text will be the marketing name of your operating system (for example, macOS Sonoma).
Directly beneath that name, you will see a smaller number, such as Version 14.2.1. This is the exact numerical version you are running. If a software developer says “Requires macOS 13 or later,” this is the number you need to check to ensure compatibility.
How to Find Your Exact Build Number
For 99% of users, the name and the version number are all the information you will ever need. However, if you are working with an IT department to resolve a deep system bug, they might ask you for your exact “Build Number.”
The build number is a highly specific alphanumeric code that identifies the exact, microscopic patch level of your operating system.
- Open the About This Mac window using the steps above.
- Look at the numerical version (e.g., Version 14.2.1).
- Click directly on those numbers with your mouse.
The moment you click the number, the hidden build code will appear in parentheses right next to it, looking something like this: Version 14.2.1 (23C71). The 23C71 is the build number you need to provide to your IT support team.