How to check your macOS version and whether your Mac has Apple silicon or Intel

Updated 2026-10-18

Before installing an app, it helps to know two things: which version of macOS you run, and which kind of chip your Mac has. Both take a few seconds to check.

Check in About This Mac

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Choose About This Mac.
3. Read the name and number of macOS near the bottom, for example macOS Sequoia 15.
4. Look at the line labelled Chip or Processor.

If the line says Chip and names an Apple chip, such as Apple M1, M2, M3 or M4, your Mac has Apple silicon. If it says Processor and names an Intel chip, such as Intel Core i5, it is an Intel Mac.

Check in System Information

For more detail, hold the Option key, click the Apple menu and choose System Information. Hardware Overview shows the model, chip or processor, memory and serial number. Under Software, the System Software Overview shows the exact macOS version and build number, which support teams sometimes ask for.

Check in Terminal

• sw_vers prints the product name, version and build, such as ProductVersion 15.6.
• uname -m prints arm64 on Apple silicon and x86_64 on Intel.
• sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string prints the chip or processor name.

All three only read information.

macOS names and numbers

App requirements are usually written as a minimum, such as macOS 14 or later. Any version with a higher number meets it, including Tahoe 26.

Update macOS

1. Back up first, for example with Time Machine.
2. Open System Settings, then General, then Software Update.
3. Install updates for your current version, or click Upgrade Now if a new version is offered.

Not every Mac can run every version. Apple lists which models each version supports on its support site. If Software Update offers no upgrade, your Mac may already be on the newest version it supports.

Intel Macs: Apple has said macOS Tahoe 26 is the last major version for Intel-based Macs, although it typically continues security updates for a while after a final major version.

Apple silicon or Intel: why apps ask

Apps can be built for Apple silicon, Intel or both. A universal app runs natively on either. An Intel-only app can usually run on Apple silicon through Rosetta 2, which macOS offers to install the first time you need it. App pages normally list the supported chips next to the macOS requirement.

Will FileSift run on my Mac?

FileSift needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. If About This Mac shows Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe or a later version, it will run. It is a one-time purchase of US$19, and one licence key works on up to two of your Macs, so you can use it on, for example, a desktop and a laptop. See pricing.

Common questions

Related guides

• Finding files in macOS Sonoma, Sequoia and Tahoe: what changed
• Finder vs FileSift: what each one is for
• Finder alternatives for Mac: when you need one
• How to find and remove apps you no longer use on a Mac

More in macOS versions, or see all guides.