#Old mac os update#

Although the numerical difference doesn’t reflect changes in code, Ventura’s APFS is a very different version, and Monterey’s hasn’t changed for three months.

Released at the same time as 12.6.1, the version number of APFS in Ventura is 2142.41.2. The second is a stark comparison between Monterey and Ventura. Other than those two security updates, the version number of APFS didn’t change in the two years that Catalina was receiving security-only maintenance.

Unfortunately not, as those two increments are fully accounted for by two security updates to APFS, released in SU 5, as documented in their security release notes. Doesn’t that demonstrate how Apple has updated APFS even though it was only supposed to receive security updates?

#Old mac os update#

But the last security update for Catalina, released last summer, 10.15.7 Security Update 2022-005, came with APFS version 1412.141.3, two patch increments higher. However, as we’d hope, the APFS engineers appear diligent in using the standard version numbering system, so it should be easy to tell whether APFS has continued to be updated once that major version of macOS has ceased being current.Īlthough I have only two examples to quote, I think they answer the question.Īs I have written above, when macOS Catalina ceased receiving general support, with the release of 10.15.7, its APFS version was 1412.141.1. As Apple seldom provides any information on changes made to APFS, it’s anyone’s guess as to what is going on. 12 went from 1933.41.2 (12.0.1) to 1934.141.2 (12.6)Ĭhanging version numbers thus aren’t any indication of the scope or magnitude of changes made to APFS.Minor version numbers increment according to the minor version of macOS, and patch numbers wander without pattern: macOS 10.12 has APFS version 0.3 or 249.x.x.Unfortunately they don’t, and mostly reflect the version of macOS they come in.ĪPFS major version numbers change with major version of macOS: At first I thought that its version numbers would, like most software, reflect the pace and magnitude of change. All we have to go on are the version numbers that appear on different components of APFS in the /System/Library folder.įortunately, I’ve been tracking those ever since the first pre-release version of APFS appeared in macOS 10.12 Sierra. Apple seldom makes any reference to it in its already scant release notes for macOS, and it rarely gets listed as having security bugs fixed either. While security vulnerabilities and their fixes draw a lot of attention, I don’t know of anyone who tries to track changes in critical sub-systems like APFS. As I wrote there: “APFS is but one example of a critical sub-system that loses all support once Apple releases a new version of macOS.”

Quick tip: It's also a good idea to update all of your other Apple devices, like iPhones and iPads, in case there are any new features that utilize multiple devices.On Sunday, in my article Home truths about macOS, I made some bold and important assertions that Apple doesn’t normally maintain even critical parts of macOS once a version has been superseded as the current release. And if you're currently working on a Mac, now is a good time to update your computer, since Ventura received an update in January 2023 containing a host of new security fixes. In October 2022, Apple released macOS Ventura, the latest version of its famous operating system. And if you leave updates waiting for too long, your favorite apps might stop working altogether. And although updates can be annoying and time-consuming - Who hasn't put off an update until the very last moment? - they're also incredibly important.Īn outdated Mac is more susceptible to bugs, crashes, and even viruses (yes, Macs can get them too). In many ways, Macs are built for convenience: They have backlit keyboards, there's a variety of ways to take and save screenshots, and they come with a wide assortment of shortcuts that can speed up your work.īut like all devices, they also require updates from time to time.