It’s now more than a year since macOS Ventura arrived on Macs on October 24 2022, and macOS Sonoma is now here, but not everyone has updated to Ventura. If you haven’t updated yet here’s what you need to know about the macOS Ventura system requirements so you can find out whether your Mac is compatible with Ventura and if you are able to install Ventura on your Mac.
Of course, if your Mac is compatible with Ventura it might be the case that you could just update to Sonoma and we recommend that you do so (read: macOS Sonoma vs macOS Ventura). However, it’s not the case that all Macs that run Ventura can run Sonoma, so we will include details of those Macs that can update to Ventura – but not Sonoma. Take a look at Which Macs can run Sonoma for more information.
It isn’t possible to install Ventura on every Mac. Every year more Macs miss out on updating to the latest version of macOS, although there are ways to install a new macOS on an unsupported Mac, if you feel confident.
The system requirements for macOS 13 Ventura are as follows. However, you should remember that just because your Mac can run Ventura, that doesn’t mean that you will get all the features. Some of the Macs supported by Ventura – especially Intel-based models – do not support all the new functions. Read: If you don’t have an M1 Mac you won’t get these Ventura features.
If you aren’t sure about whether to update to Venture, read our comparison between Ventura and Monterey. You can also read more about macOS Ventura features and the latest version.
You may also find What version of macOS can my Mac run? useful, especially if you’ve got an older Mac. And if you have problems updating read: What to do if your Ventura update is stuck.
macOS Ventura supported devices
The following Macs can run macOS Ventura:
- MacBook models from 2017 or later
- MacBook Air models from 2018 or later
- MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later
- Mac mini models from 2018 or later
- iMac models from 2017 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from 2019 or later
- Mac Studio (all models)
This means the following Macs, which were previously supported by Monterey, will not be able to run Ventura:
- iMac (models from 2015)
- MacBook Air (models from 2015 and 2017 models)
- MacBook Pro (2015 and 2016 models)
- Mac mini (2014 models)
- Mac Pro (2013 model: cylinder/trash can)
- MacBook (2016 model)
There will no doubt be a few Mac users who are disappointed by that list. Many of the Macs that are not supported by Ventura were still being sold by Apple until quite recently. The 2014 Mac mini was sold until 2018, the ‘trash can’ Mac Pro until 2019, and the 2017 MacBook Air was sold until July 2019. We had thought that Apple wouldn’t remove those Macs from the supported list, since people might have purchased the model such a short time ago.
Bear in mind, however, that these ‘unlucky’ Macs can stay on (or upgrade to) macOS Monterey, and will still be officially supported by Apple for at least two more years. They might not be able to use the latest features, but they’ll keep getting security patches and other ongoing support. For more information, see: This is how long Apple supports Macs for.
Macs that support Ventura but not Sonoma
These are the Macs on which you’ll be able to run macOS Sonoma.
- iMac (from 2019 and later)
- Mac Pro (from 2019 and later)
- iMac Pro (from 2017)
- Mac Studio (from 2022 and later)
- MacBook Air (from 2018 and later)
- Mac mini (from 2018 and later)
- MacBook Pro (from 2018 and later)
macOS Ventura supports iMacs and MacBooks from 2017, whereas macOS Sonoma doesn’t. If your Mac is from 2017 (unless it’s an iMac Pro) you will not be able to install anything beyond Ventura.
Macs that don’t get all the Ventura features
Even some of the ‘supported’ Macs are not able to take advantage of all the features in Ventura. Intel Macs miss out on a number of features including Live Captions, Dictation emoji support, Reference Mode with Sidecar.
This isn’t new. Many of the features of Monterey, such as Universal Control, Spatial Audio and AirPlay to Mac required either the M1 chip, or one of the more modern Intel-powered Macs.
Read: New macOS features that will only work on the newest models.
Macs that run Ventura
Wondering whether the Mac you own will be able to run Ventura? We outline the Macs that are compatible with the new version of the macOS below. Hopefully, you can easily identify your Mac from the descriptions below but if not, read: Which Mac do I have?
MacBook models from 2017 or later
This is the line of slimmer and smaller 12in MacBook models with Retina displays that Apple introduced in March 2015–except that the 2015 and 016 models are no longer included, as of Ventura. If you have one of the 2017 MacBooks, available in gold, silver or Space Gray, you should have no problems upgrading to Ventura.
MacBook Air models from 2018 or later
In 2018 Apple gave the MacBook Air a new look. If you have the older larger model that only came in silver, it won’t be supported by Ventura. The 2017 model was sold right up until 2019, so it’s likely that quite a few are still in use.
MacBook Pro models from 2017 of later
Last year it was announced that the 2015 and 2016 MacBook Pro models could run macOS Monterey, but this year they’re out! The 2017 models arrived in July 2017 and had Kaby Lake (7th-gen) processors.
Mac mini models from 2018 or later
Apple didn’t update the Mac mini for a number of years, so chances are there aren’t that many of the 2014 models still in use, but if you have one it won’t be supported by Ventura. If you have one of the Space Gray models from 2018, or the practically identical 2020 models, you will be able to run Ventura.
iMac models from 2017 or later
Monterey was available on the 2015 iMac, but you’re out of luck if that’s what you have and you want to run Ventura. For Ventura only the mid 2017 (Kaby Lake or 7th gen), 2019 (Coffee Lake or 8th-gen), 2020 (Comet Lake or 10th-gen), and 2021 (M1) models are supported.
iMac Pro (all models)
The iMac Pro was only introduced in 2017, then it was discontinued earlier in 2021. At least it is supported by Ventura.
Mac Pro models from 2019
The only Mac Pro model that’s supported is the 2019 ‘cheese grater’ workstation. If you’ve got one of the older aluminum towers or even the black cylinder ‘trash can’ then you won’t be able to run Ventura on it.
Author: Karen Haslam, Editor
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.