Will macOS Sonoma Be Released in September This Year?

by

While major new macOS versions were released in October or November for the past four years, there is a chance that macOS Sonoma could be released in September this year, based on how beta testing of the update is progressing.

macos sonoma feature green brown
As noted by @iSWUpdates on X, the seventh beta of macOS Sonoma seeded to developers last week has a build number ending in "a," while the seventh beta of macOS Ventura had a build number ending in "f" last year. A build number ending with an earlier letter in the alphabet typically indicates that beta testing is closer to completion.

macOS Mojave was released in September back in 2018. The seventh beta of that update also had a build number ending in "a."

macOS release dates since 2016:

  • macOS Sierra: September 20, 2016
  • macOS High Sierra: September 25, 2017
  • macOS Mojave: September 24, 2018
  • macOS Catalina: October 7, 2019
  • macOS Big Sur: November 12, 2020
  • macOS Monterey: October 25, 2021
  • macOS Ventura: October 24, 2022

Other updates expected to be released in September include iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and HomePod software version 17.

There is no guarantee that Apple's past plans hint at the company's future plans, of course, so keep in mind that this is merely speculation. macOS Ventura had eleven beta versions and a Release Candidate before it was publicly released, while macOS Sonoma is only up to seven beta versions so far, so an October release cannot be ruled out. It is simply looking more likely that a September release could be in the cards in this year.

Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

Popular Stories

General Apps Messages Redux

iOS 26: New Messages and Phone App Features Leaked Ahead of WWDC

Friday June 6, 2025 7:27 am PDT by
Apple is planning to announce several new features for the Messages and Phone apps on iOS 26, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman said that the two main changes in the Messages app will be the ability to create polls, as well as the option to set a background image within a conversation. 9to5Mac was first to report...
Read Full Article • 42 comments
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 17 New Features

Friday June 6, 2025 6:17 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single ...
Read Full Article • 76 comments
macOS Tahoe Render

macOS Tahoe Might Support One Fewer Mac Than Previously Rumored

Saturday June 7, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
macOS 26 will drop support for several older Intel-based Mac models currently compatible with macOS Sequoia, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of leaking information about Apple's software platforms. macOS 26 will be compatible with the following Mac models, the account said:MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (2019 and later) iMac (2020 and later) Mac...
Read Full Article • 136 comments
iOS 26 white

iOS 26's Digital Glass Design: Home Screen Widgets, Camera, and More

Friday June 6, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more details about iOS 26's rumored new design. According to Gurman, iOS 26 will feature a "digital glass" design inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That is a well-known rumor by now, but he goes on to provide some more specific details, as listed below:There ...
Read Full Article • 64 comments
iOS 26 Messages Background Mock Feature

iOS 26 Getting Custom AI-Generated Message Backgrounds, Generative Shortcuts and 'Mixmoji'

Friday June 6, 2025 12:57 pm PDT by
The iOS 26 Messages app is set to gain support for customized backgrounds for conversations, and it appears that AI will be an option for generating different looks. According to Nicolás Alvarez, iOS 26 code suggests that users will be able to generate backgrounds for the Messages app using text-based descriptions. The feature appears to use Image Playground, and there will be Image...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
watchOS 26 Mock Feature

watchOS 26 to Support These Apple Watch Models

Friday June 6, 2025 3:22 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming watchOS 26 software update will support all Apple Watch models that are compatible with watchOS 11, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates. If this rumor is accurate, and we believe it is, watchOS 26 will be compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and beyond: Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) Apple Watch Series 6 ...
Read Full Article • 19 comments

Top Rated Comments

TheOneWhoKnocks Avatar
TheOneWhoKnocks
23 months ago
I'm so tired of this ******** release schedule and even then iOS will be released with a bunch of features missing. Mac OS has been a second class citizen for a long time.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eduardodfj Avatar
eduardodfj
23 months ago
Whenever. Yearly macOS releases are not exactly overwhelming these days.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPMichaels Avatar
JPMichaels
23 months ago
I hate these yearly OS reaseases. All they do is obsolete more and more Macs, while adding minimal features.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nicole1980 Avatar
Nicole1980
23 months ago

Whenever. Yearly macOS releases are not exactly overwhelming these days.
Exactly. I pine for the good old days when a new Mac OS came out every couple of years it actually MEANT something. Now they release a new OS not because it's a big improvement, but because that's what the stupid schedule mandates.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StralyanPithecus Avatar
StralyanPithecus
23 months ago

Will Sonoma be released in September? I must consult the foremost authority ('https://magic-8ball.com') on the matter.
The magic ball said no ?



Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tweaknmod Avatar
tweaknmod
23 months ago
From a post I made a while ago:
An Unrealistic - but fun - Idea!
There're many comments, in various threads, wishing Apple would slow down, or even stop, adding software features, and focus on tightening-up their software.

Many often cite Snow Leopard as being the heyday for Apple's "it just works" age, and I'm sure there's a similar reference for iOS. As Apple continues to strive to add more and more bells and whistles to their software, more and more bugs and inconsistencies are bound to come up.

As far as I know, this is somewhat inevitable with such a fast development cycle. I've heard people blame Apple's focus on pleasing shareholders first, and consumers second — drive more sales of the newest hardware models through software updates that require new purchases. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but you're here for a crazy and fun idea, not my ignorant speculation...

[HEADING=2]The idea...[/HEADING]

Apple announces, in typical cryptic fashion, that the Apple polishing cloths will no longer be available until further notice.

Later, when it comes time for WWCD of that year, the theme is some clever variation on 'the year of polish' or 'our lineup has never been shinier' or something actually good.

[HEADING=3]The point:[/HEADING]
Apple announces that the polishing cloths were no longer available to the public, as they were needed internally. They needed them so they could spend a full year focused on 'polishing' their existing offerings (not literally, of course - I'm talking software).

They announce the name of the new update to macOS as [clever name], and a video plays with a reel like: (with accompanying iOS and iPadOS versions)

New features: none!
Added functionality: none!
Pretty novelties: none!
...
Bugs fixed: 23,434,543
Consistency improved: 3,567,343 instances
Energy efficiency: up 363%
Crash decrease: 476%
User satisfaction: +254%
etc... (any metrics which can actually measure these improvements)

* They talk about taking everything they already have, but has objectively needed more time to polish and refine, and then re-offering it in an update which re-commits to the principles of quality over quantity, reliability, and "it just works".
* They talk about longer lasting hardware (due to more efficient and optimized software), in order to help with e-waste.
* They talk about staying true to the principles which made them the most valuable company in the world.
* They talk about defining their software in the same way they have done with their hardware: polished and refined to a level unmatched in the industry.

Then, at the end, they show a room full of Apple employees polishing MacBooks, iPhones, watches, and iPads. All getting shinier and shinier...

"The polishing cloths will be available again on [DATE]." <– the release date for the 'new' OS.

[HEADING=2]Shareholder relations...[/HEADING]

There would need to be a separate, specific, presentation directed at shareholders, so they don't think Apple has gotten lazy and will lose sales.

This would be a long-term gain to offset the downturn in hardware sales, and to get fans to fall in love with their products again. If they pulled this off, then it would, hopefully, pull more and more people into the Apple ecosystem due to it's ease of use, consistency, and reliability — all things which used to be associated with Apple far more frequently.

[HEADING=2]Not gonna happen![/HEADING]

I know. I just thought it would be fun to write out and discuss.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments