macOS Sonoma Release Date & Time: What You Need to Know

The macOS Sonoma release date is getting closer and we’re getting questions about the next operating system for Mac. In this guide we’ll take curious Mac users through everything there is to know about the macOS Sonoma release as we push through the summer.

It’s official. macOS Sonoma will replace macOS Ventura later this year. The software is in development and we’ve more about Apple’s plans for the operating system.

We may not have a full list of macOS Sonoma’s features, but we do know when Apple will release the first version of the operating system. We also know what to expect from the macOS Sonoma release date, and release time, for Mac.

Our macOS Sonoma release date guide we’ll help you properly manage your expectations and help you prepare for its inevitable release later this year.

This walkthrough is based on Apple’s traditions, rumors, confirmed information, and what we expect from the annual release.

Which Macs Will Get macOS Sonoma?

Apple’s confirmed the full list of macOS Sonoma eligible Mac models and most macOS Ventura-powered devices will make the move to the operating system.

Last year, Apple dropped support for some Mac models from 2014 through 2016 when it released macOS Ventura. Those models are stuck on macOS Monterey, the previous version of macOS. Apple typically keeps devices update for five to six years.

With that in mind, here’s a list of eligible Mac models that are moving to macOS Sonoma later this year:

macOS Sonoma Supported Devices

• 2017 iMac Pro.
• 2019 iMac and later.
• 2022 Mac Studio and later.
• 2018 MacBook Air and later.
• 2018 MacBook Pro and later.
• 2019 Mac Pro and later
• 2018 Mac mini and later

Older iMac and MacBook models from 2017 will unfortunately stay put on macOS Ventura.

macOS Sonoma Beta Release Date

The official version of macOS Sonoma won’t land for awhile, but Mac users have the ability to try the software before the stable version arrives.

macOS Sonoma launched at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference in June and the company will release the first macOS Sonoma beta later today.

There are two versions of the macOS Sonoma beta. One is a developer beta that requires users to pay an annual fee to Apple for access. The other, a free beta for users registered for the Beta Software Program.

The public macOS Sonoma beta will land in the Beta Software Program in July.

macOS Sonoma Beta Release Time

Apple usually pushes new beta software every couple of weeks with releases coming more frequently as we approach the final release.

Like regular macOS software releases, the company usually release new macOS beta software around 10AM Pacific. That’s what you can expect right now from the macOS Sonoma beta.

macOS Sonoma Release Date

macOS Sonoma will stay in beta for several months as Apple and beta testers poke and prod it for issues ahead of its official release.

We don’t know how many betas Apple will release, but we often see six or more iterations before a new operating system is ready for prime time.

While the company tends to release new iOS operating systems for iPhone in September, Apple usually pushes new macOS operating systems in October or November. That’s what you should expect from the macOS Sonoma release date right now.

macOS Sonoma Release Time

Apple probably won’t confirm a specific macOS Sonoma release time, but the company almost always releases its software updates around 10AM Pacific.

So if you live in London, you should see the macOS Sonoma update arrive around 6PM in the evening. If you live in Melbourne, Australia, you’ll need to stay up late or wake up early if you want to install the software right when it’s released.

It’s important to note that whenever Apple releases a new macOS operating system, we typically see long download times and errors as Apple’s servers get slammed with requests from eager Mac users.

If you want to avoid these issues, you’ll want to refrain from installing macOS Sonoma right away.