Download macOS Mojave for Mac

In the edit

macOS Mojave 10.14.6 is Apple’s desktop operating system for compatible Intel-based Macs, bringing a cleaner workspace and tighter iPhone integration to older hardware that still has plenty of life left.

What is the easiest way to get a photo from an iPhone into a document?

With Continuity Camera, you can right-click inside a Finder window or a compatible app and choose to take a photo or scan a document from your nearby iPhone or iPad. The image appears on your Mac almost instantly, no email or AirDrop required.

How does Dark Mode help when editing late at night?

Dark Mode turns the menu bar, dock, and system windows a deep grey, which cuts glare and makes your photos or design work stand out. It’s a system-wide toggle in System Preferences, and most native apps respect it immediately.

Can I protect a sensitive document without opening a separate app?

Yes. The Finder lets you password-protect a document directly from its context menu. Choose Encrypt, set a password, and the file stays locked until someone enters the correct phrase — no need to launch Preview or Pages first.

Dark Mode transforms your entire interface instantly

When you first boot into Mojave, a few quick tweaks make the system feel like yours without digging through every menu.

• Dark Mode. Head to System Preferences > General and pick Dark. It changes the whole look of the OS, and if you shoot weddings, it’s kinder on the eyes when you’re culling photos late into the evening.
• Desktop Stacks. Right-click on the desktop and choose Use Stacks. Mojave groups files by kind — images, PDFs, documents — into neat piles on the right side. It clears the clutter fast, especially after you’ve downloaded a batch of client proofs.
• Gallery View in Finder. Open any folder, switch to Gallery View, and you get a large preview panel on the left with metadata underneath. It’s handy for scanning RAW files without launching a photo editor.
• Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari. It’s on by default, but check Safari > Preferences > Privacy to confirm. It stops cross-site tracking, which matters if you browse client galleries on third-party platforms.

Older Intel Macs from 2012 onward need 2 GB RAM and 12.5 GB free

Mojave runs on Intel-based Macs from around 2012 onward, but the specifics matter if you’re installing on an older machine. Based on Apple’s published requirements, a minimum of 2 GB RAM and 12.5 GB available disk space are necessary. That’s the floor, not a recommendation — a typical install lands closer to 15 GB once you account for temporary files and updates.

MacBooks from early 2015 onward, MacBook Airs from mid 2012 onward, MacBook Pros from mid 2012 onward, Mac minis from late 2012 onward, iMacs from late 2012 onward, and the 2017 iMac Pro are all included in the supported list. Mac Pro owners need a late 2013 model, or a mid 2010 or mid 2012 machine fitted with a Metal-capable graphics card. If your Mac is on that list, the installer will check compatibility before it runs.

The OS is 64-bit only, so any 32-bit applications you still rely on won’t launch here. That’s worth checking before you upgrade — especially older plug-ins for photo or design tools.

Insufficient disk space stalls the installer—clear old files first

Most Mojave installations go smoothly, but a few things trip people up regularly.

• Insufficient disk space. The installer needs that 12.5 GB free, but a full drive can stall the process. Clear out old downloads, empty the Trash, and consider moving your photo library to an external drive temporarily.
• Incompatible Mac model. If the installer refuses to run, double-check your Mac’s year and model against the list above. Mac Pro owners especially need to verify their graphics card supports Metal — without it, the installer won’t proceed.
• 32-bit app alerts. After the upgrade, some older apps may show a message saying they’re not optimised for your Mac. Mojave is the last macOS version to run 32-bit apps at all, so plan replacements sooner rather than later.
• Install gets stuck on a grey screen. A forced restart and re-running the installer from the recovery partition often fixes it. Hold Command-R at boot to reach macOS Utilities, then choose Reinstall macOS.

Quick Look in Gallery View gives full-size previews with one press

Mojave has a handful of features that don’t get much attention but save time once you know they’re there.

• Quick Look in Gallery View. Press the spacebar on any image in Gallery View and you get a full-size preview without opening an app. It works for RAW files too, which is useful when you’re skimming a card full of wedding shots.
• Trim and rotate from the Finder. In Gallery View, you can rotate a photo or trim a video clip directly in the preview pane. No need to open QuickTime Player or Preview for a simple crop.
• Voice Memos sync. Record a quick note on your iPhone during a consultation, and it appears in the Voice Memos app on your Mac automatically through iCloud. Handy for remembering client preferences without scribbling.
• FaceTime group calls. Up to 32 participants in one call, which is useful for quick team check-ins during wedding season or for catching up with family when you’re editing away from home.
• The layout is cleaner than the old store, and search actually works.

New this release

• Improves the stability and reliability of the Mac.

Mac it needs

• macOS 10.8 or later
• Intel-based Mac
• 2 GB of memory
• 12.5 GB of available storage
• Compatible Mac model (see FAQ for details)