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OS X Yosemite Q&A - Published October 17, 2014
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Which Macs are compatible with OS X Yosemite (10.10)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support which features?
On June 2, 2014, Apple announced OS X "Yosemite" (10.10) -- named after the beautiful National Park -- and launched the final version on October 16, 2014.
Apple's final press release promises that OS X Yosemite:
Delivers a fresh, modern look and introduces Continuity features that make it easy to hand off activities between Mac and iOS devices and even make and receive iPhone calls from your Mac. Yosemite also includes a new Today view [in Notification Center], a redesigned Spotlight [search function] and updated versions of Safari, Mail, Messages and iTunes.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook Pro Running OS X Yosemite)
Official System Requirements
Apple formally notes that OS X Yosemite runs on the following Mac categories:
- iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
- MacBook (13" Late 2008 Aluminum, Early 2009 or later)
- MacBook Pro (13" Mid-2009 or later)
- MacBook Pro (15" Mid/Late 2007 or later)
- MacBook Pro (17" Late 2007 or later)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
- Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
- Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
- Xserve (Early 2009)
However, the above Mac needs to be running at least (Mac) OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and have at least 2 GB of RAM installed as well as at least 8 GB of available storage space.
Some of the early models from these lines -- 63 different Macs, to be precise -- were running Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) or Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) by default and will need to be upgraded to Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8) prior to upgrading to Yosemite if the operating system has not been upgraded already.
Although Yosemite is free, Snow Leopard is not. If you still are using Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6, in particular; make sure that any software that is important to you has a compatible upgrade version available. It is highly likely that some of your software that works with Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard will not work with Yosemite.
Also, some of these early models -- eight different Macs -- shipped with 1 GB of RAM by default and will need to have more RAM installed prior to upgrading the operating system.
Site sponsor OWC sells affordable RAM upgrades for all applicable Macs.
Identification Help
If you're not sure if your Mac will run OS X Yosemite, all of the supported systems can be identified by the above "subfamily" designations as well as by the Model Identifier in software. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
To locate the model identifier, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the "More Info..." button. If the Mac is running OS X "Lion" (10.7) or later, click the "System Report" button after clicking "More Info..." as well.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.
OS X Yosemite Supported Systems
Specifically, the following Macs are compatible with OS X Yosemite, but did not ship with the operating system by default. However, just because a Mac runs OS X Yosemite does not mean that it is compatible with all features.
Macs with an asterisk (*) next to the name -- six iMac models and two Mac mini models -- had 1 GB of RAM by default. Be certain to confirm that you have at least 2 GB of RAM installed on these models prior to taking the time to download Yosemite.
Supported Mac |
Subfamily |
Model ID |
Mid-2007 |
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Mid-2007 |
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Mid-2007 - 24" |
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Mid-2007 - 24" |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Mid-2009 (Edu) |
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Mid-2009 (Edu) |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Late 2011 (Edu) |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Early 2013 (Edu) |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Late 2008 Aluminum |
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Late 2008 Aluminum |
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Early 2009 |
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Mid-2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Late 2008 |
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Late 2008 |
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Mid-2009 |
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Mid-2009 |
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Late 2010 |
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Late 2010 |
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Late 2010 |
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Late 2010 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 (Edu) |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Mid/Late 2007 |
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Mid/Late 2007 |
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Mid/Late 2007 |
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Mid/Late 2007 |
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Mid/Late 2007 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Late 2008 |
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Late 2008 |
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Late 2008 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Late 2008 |
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Late 2008 |
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Mid-2009 13" |
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Mid-2009 13" |
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Mid-2009 15" |
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Mid-2009 15" |
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Mid-2009 15" |
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Mid-2009 15" |
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Mid-2009 17" |
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Mid-2009 17" |
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Mid-2010 13" |
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Mid-2010 13" |
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Mid-2010 15" |
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Mid-2010 15" |
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Mid-2010 15" |
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Mid-2010 15" |
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Mid-2010 17" |
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Mid-2010 17" |
||
Mid-2010 17" |
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Early 2011 13" |
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Early 2011 13" |
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Early 2011 15" |
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Early 2011 15" |
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Early 2011 15" |
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Early 2011 17" |
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Early 2011 17" |
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Late 2011 13" |
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Late 2011 13" |
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Late 2011 15" |
||
Late 2011 15" |
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Late 2011 15" |
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Late 2011 17" |
||
Late 2011 17" |
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Mid-2012 13" |
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Mid-2012 13" |
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Mid-2012 15" |
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Mid-2012 15" |
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Mid-2012 15" |
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Retina Mid-2012 |
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Retina Mid-2012 |
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Retina Mid-2012 |
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Retina Late 2012 |
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Retina Late 2012 |
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Retina Early 2013 |
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Retina Early 2013 |
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Retina Early 2013 |
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Retina Early 2013 |
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Retina Early 2013 |
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Retina Late 2013 13" |
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Retina Late 2013 13" |
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Retina Late 2013 13" |
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Retina Late 2013 15" |
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Retina Late 2013 15" |
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Retina Late 2013 15" |
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Retina Late 2013 15" |
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Retina Late 2013 15" |
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Retina Mid-2014 13" |
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Retina Mid-2014 13" |
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Retina Mid-2014 13" |
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Retina Mid-2014 15" |
||
Retina Mid-2014 15" |
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Retina Mid-2014 15" |
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Retina Mid-2014 15" |
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Retina Mid-2014 15" |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Late 2009 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Mid-2011 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Late 2012 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2008 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Server Mid-2010 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Mid-2012 |
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Server Mid-2012 |
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Server Mid-2012 |
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Server Mid-2012 |
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Server Mid-2012 |
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Server Mid-2012 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
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Early 2009 |
If your Mac isn't listed above, and it was released before October 16, 2014 -- when new Macs started shipping with OS X Yosemite by default -- it isn't compatible with the operating system.
OS X Yosemite Features Compatibility Chart
All of the above Macs support the flat "modern look" and the updated Notification Center, Spotlight search functionality, and the new Apple apps.
However, most significant new "Continuity" features -- including "Handoff and Instant Hotspot" -- as well as AirDrop between Macs and AirDrop between Macs and iOS devices are supported by a more limited number of systems.
OS X Yosemite feature support varies accordingly:
| Handoff | Instant Hotspot | AirDrop Mac to iOS | AirDrop Mac to Mac |
AirPlay Mirroring† | Power Nap | |
| iMac | 2012+ | 2012+ | 2012+ | Early 2009+ | Mid-2011+ | Late 2012+ |
| MacBook | None | None | None | Late 2008+ | None | None |
| MacBook Pro | 2012+ | 2012+ | 2012+ | Late 2008+ | Early 2011+ | Retina Mid-2012+ |
| MacBook Air | 2012+ | 2012+ | 2012+ | Late 2010+ | Mid-2011+ | Late 2010+ |
| Mac mini | 2012+ | 2012+ | 2012+ | Mid-2010+ | Mid-2011+ | Late 2012+ |
| Mac Pro | 2013+ | 2013+ | 2013+ | Early 2009*+ | Late 2013+ | Late 2013+ |
| Xserve | None | None | None | None | None | None |
* Early 2009 Mac Pro models require the AirPort Extreme Card (MB988Z/A) to be installed to support Mac-to-Mac AirDrop functionality. Mid-2010 and later
models offer default support courtesy of the pre-installed AirPort Extreme card.
† AirPlay Mirroring works in conjunction with an Apple TV (2nd Gen) or later.
Apple also notes that "Peer-to-Peer AirPlay" is supported by all 2012 and later Macs, but only to the A1469 Apple TV (3rd Gen, Early 2013) and later Apple TV models.
Additionally, note that the specific Continuity features that interact with iOS devices only are compatible with iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad models that meet the following requirements:
| iOS Support | Hardware Requirements | |
| Handoff | iOS 8 | Lightning Connector† |
| Instant Hotspot | iOS 8.1 | Cellular Connectivity* & Lightning Connector† |
| iPhone Calls from Mac | iOS 8 | iPhone Only |
| SMS | iOS 8.1 | iPhone Only |
| AirDrop (Mac to iOS) | iOS 7 | Lightning Connector† |
* All iPhone models and select iPad models have cellular connectivity whereas iPod touch models do not. "Personal Hotspot" service through a cellular company also is required for this feature.
† The iPhone 5 and later iPhone models, iPad 4th Gen and later iPad models (including all iPad Air and iPad mini models), and the iPod touch 5th Gen all have Lightning connectors. Earlier devices do not.
Compatibility Summary
Ultimately, OS X Yosemite is both free and compatible with all Macs that can run OS X Mountain Lion and OS X Mavericks provided that 2 GB of RAM is installed and sufficient storage space is available.
However, as noted above, just because your Mac will run OS X Yosemite does not mean that all features are supported. Furthermore, EveryMac.com would recommend that those who use their Mac for "mission critical" tasks wait for a month or two for inevitable bugs to be discovered and fixed prior to upgrading your operating system.
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