macOS Tahoe Compatibility

What is macOS Tahoe 26?

macOS Tahoe 26 is the 22nd major edition of the macOS operating system. The 26 in its name follows Apple’s new naming scheme, which indicates the upcoming calendar year. New features include Liquid Glass design, updated app icons, refreshed apps, and further integration with Apple Intelligence. iPhone users will also get features that offer greater continuity between their Mac and their phone.

For more information about current and past iterations of macOS and OS X, check out our list of Mac operating systems in order. This handy guide tracks the history of Mac operating systems, telling you when each version was launched, what new features were added at the time, and what the system requirements were for each edition.

macOS Tahoe system requirements

Apple doesn’t list individual system requirements like RAM, CPU, or disk space for macOS 26 compatibility. Instead, the company states which Mac models are compatible, the earliest being the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro, both from 2019. In terms of disk space requirements, estimates vary a lot, from 35GB to 60GB. The installer alone is around 15GB, so we recommend having around 50GB free, to be on the safe side. Note, this will also be the last version of macOS to support Intel chips.

A quick tip for smoother updates: 

 

When it comes time to upgrade to macOS Tahoe, you’re going to need plenty of free disk space. With MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool, it’s easy to find and remove junk data, creating breathing space for the update.

 

Using Safe Cleanup is as simple as this:

1. Download, install, and run MacKeeper.
2. Select Safe Cleanup from the menu on the left-hand side.
3. Click Start Scan and wait.
4. When the scan is done, select the things you want to remove from your Mac, and click Clean Junk Files.

In just a few seconds, MacKeeper can erase gigabytes of junk data. That could be the difference between being able to install macOS Tahoe or not.

macOS Tahoe compatibility list

To run macOS Tahoe, you need one of these Macs:

• MacBook Air with Apple Silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

Which Mac models will not be supported with macOS Tahoe?

Several Intel machines are not compatible with macOS Tahoe. They include the MacBook Air (2020), MacBook Pro 13-inch (2018, 2019, 2020 with two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Pro 15-inch (2018 and 2019), iMac (2019), iMac Pro, and Mac mini (2018). These models will remain on Sequoia.

There are some unofficial ways to install macOS on older, unsupported Macs, but we can’t recommend doing it. Older computers may run slowly, have stability issues, and crash. As with any unofficial patching methods, there’s a risk you could potentially damage your Mac.

How to check if your Mac is compatible with macOS Tahoe

If you want to know if your Mac device offers macOS 26 compatibility, you need to know exactly which model you have. Then you need to compare that against Apple’s list of compatible Macs. If your model is on the list, then good news—it’s supported. If your Mac isn’t in the list, then we’re sorry to say, you won’t be able to upgrade to Tahoe, at least not through the official routes. You’ll find information about your Mac’s model in the About This Mac panel in macOS.

Here’s how to find out what type of Mac you have:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top left of your screen.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. At the top, you’ll see your Mac’s model and year.

Important: 

 

Everything you need to check macOS compatibility is in the About This Mac panel, but if you click More Info, you can find some additional details.

How to install macOS Tahoe

Currently, macOS Tahoe is in its beta stage, being tested by a small number of users. When it does arrive, it will likely be installed via the macOS Software Update tool or the App Store. Our article on how to update MacBooks and other Macs will help you here.

If you’re thinking about starting afresh, then make sure to check our guide on how to clean install macOS.

Making space for macOS Tahoe

Using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup may be all you need to get enough space for macOS Tahoe. However, if you need to find even more room for the new OS, here are a few things to try:

• Delete unused apps, files, and downloads.
• Erase old TV episodes and movies.
• Move large files to an external drive or the cloud.
• Install large apps on an external drive.
• Compress (zip up) files that you rarely need to access.
• Find and delete duplicate photos and files.
• Replace your system disk with a larger one, if your Mac supports user upgrades.

Keep your Mac in shape, no matter what

If your Mac can be upgraded to macOS Tahoe, that’s great. Don’t fret too much if not. You’ll still get security patches for a while, and you can also boost your defences with third-party security apps. As we’ve discussed here, Apple is mainly leaving behind older Intel hardware, and any machines with Apple’s own M1 chips and later are still eligible for the latest operating system.

We recommend making plenty of room for Tahoe if you can install it on your Mac. One of the easiest ways to do that is with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup function. In just a few clicks, it’ll track down all kinds of unneeded data on your Mac, like old log files, caches, and unneeded language packs—all of which can be safely deleted. Give it a try today.