List of the Top 10 Operating Systems for App Store in 2025

iOS 14 brings a redesigned interface that enhances the accessibility of your most commonly used tasks, making it easier to navigate than ever before. With an array of innovative features, you can swiftly acquire the information you need in real-time, enhancing your overall experience. The apps that you use every day have become even more intelligent, catering to your individual preferences while safeguarding your privacy. This update allows you to achieve more with your iPhone than you previously imagined. In essence, iOS 14 transforms the familiar aspects of user interaction, amplifying both functionality and personalization. Widgets have received a substantial redesign, offering improved visibility of information at a glance, and you now have the ability to place them directly on your Home Screen. You can choose from various sizes and arrange them to match your personal style. The new App Library organizes all your applications into a single, intuitive interface, categorizing them by type and ensuring that your most used apps are always just a tap away. Additionally, you can now effortlessly watch videos or hold a FaceTime call while using other applications, which significantly boosts your multitasking capabilities. This newfound flexibility positions iOS 14 as not merely an update, but a revolutionary experience for iPhone users; it truly marks a new era in mobile technology. Furthermore, with these enhancements, users can expect a more tailored and efficient interaction with their devices.

macOS Big Sur elevates the already advanced desktop operating system to new levels of functionality and visual appeal. Dive into a fully revamped Mac experience with its modern design that captivates the eye. Enjoy the most notable improvements to Safari, while also discovering thrilling upgrades in Maps and Messages. Furthermore, this version offers enhanced transparency concerning your privacy settings, making user security a priority. This release truly showcases unparalleled power, celebrated ease of use, and limitless creative possibilities. With macOS Big Sur, a sophisticated design refresh highlights the beloved features of the Mac in an innovative way. The introduction of full-height sidebars and redesigned toolbars ensures that your content takes center stage, allowing for an immersive experience. This elegant interface not only streamlines access to your preferred applications but also presents app icons in a uniform fashion, reinforcing a harmonious aesthetic while letting the distinctive identity of the Mac shine. Additionally, the innovative combination of notifications and widgets into a single view offers a quick yet comprehensive snapshot of vital information, significantly enhancing the overall user experience. Ultimately, macOS Big Sur represents a significant leap forward, blending beauty and functionality seamlessly.

To make the most of the vast screen space offered by the iPad, several core elements of the iPadOS experience have been redesigned and fine-tuned for greater efficiency. This transformation enables users to complete tasks with greater ease than ever before. The Today view widgets have undergone a significant redesign, allowing them to showcase more information directly on the home screen. Users can choose from different sizes or create a smart stack of widgets that thoughtfully displays the most useful widget at the right moment throughout the day. Recent improvements, including sidebars and pull-down menus, provide users with swift access to various app features from one central hub, reducing the need to toggle between different views. In addition, a newly introduced compact search feature keeps you concentrated on your primary tasks while effortlessly allowing you to launch apps or navigate the web. The as-you-type feature accelerates the search process by offering faster and more relevant results. With the Scribble function, switching between the Apple Pencil and other tasks is now a smooth experience. Handwriting in any text field across iPadOS automatically converts your handwritten notes to typed text, and this capability is now available in a wider variety of languages. Overall, these updates greatly enhance the iPad's usability and adaptability, solidifying its role as a dynamic tool for productivity. Thanks to these innovations, users can expect an even more streamlined workflow and a richer overall experience.

If your computer operates on OS X Mavericks or a subsequent version, you can proceed to install macOS Catalina. Your Mac must also possess at least 4GB of RAM and a minimum of 12.5GB of available storage space; however, if you're transitioning from OS X Yosemite or an earlier edition, you may require as much as 18.5GB of free storage. To take full advantage of the latest enhancements while preserving your Mac's security, stability, compatibility, and performance levels, it's crucial to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that users consistently utilize the most current macOS version that is compatible with their devices. The earliest version of macOS that can be installed on your Mac is the one that was originally pre-installed. For example, a Mac that originally came with macOS Big Sur cannot be downgraded to macOS Catalina or any prior versions. If a specific macOS version isn't compatible with your Mac, the App Store or installer will notify you, indicating that the version either doesn't suit your device or is too outdated for the current macOS version. This proactive approach helps users stay informed about their system's compatibility and available upgrade paths. Regular updates not only improve functionality but also enhance the overall user experience by ensuring access to the latest features and security improvements.

To use the Handoff and Instant Hotspot features, an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector is required, with Handoff needing at least iOS 8 and Instant Hotspot necessitating an iPhone or iPad with cellular capabilities and iOS 8.1 or newer, along with active Personal Hotspot service from your mobile provider. Additionally, for seamless AirDrop functionality among iOS devices, you should have a compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that runs on iOS 7 or higher and is equipped with a Lightning connector. To make video calls via FaceTime, a device featuring a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (either built-in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder is essential, as well as a stable broadband Internet connection to ensure the best quality. Such specifications are critical for users to fully leverage the diverse connectivity features their devices offer, enhancing overall user experience and versatility. Meeting these requirements allows for more effective communication and sharing capabilities across Apple devices.

macOS Mojave, also referred to as version 10.14, is the fifteenth version of macOS, which was formerly known as OS X, and it functions as the operating system for a variety of Apple Macintosh computers, including both desktops and laptops, as well as servers. This particular release is notable as the third one following the shift from the OS X title to the macOS designation. For users wishing to make audio calls, access to a built-in or external microphone is essential, along with a stable broadband Internet connection to ensure clear communication. When it comes to video calls, users must have either a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (which can be built-in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera, coupled with a dependable broadband Internet connection. Moreover, to take advantage of iCloud services, devices must adhere to certain specifications, which include having iOS 5 or newer for iPhone models from the 3GS onward, as well as compatible devices like the iPod touch (3rd generation and newer), iPad Pro, iPad Air or more recent models, and iPad mini or later versions. For Mac computers, the requirement is to run OS X Lion 10.7.5 or newer, while PCs should operate on Windows 7 or 8, needing either Outlook 2007 or a modern web browser for managing email, contacts, and calendars. As a result, these specifications are designed to help users effectively connect and fully utilize the diverse functionalities that macOS Mojave provides. Additionally, keeping these requirements in mind can enhance the overall user experience and ensure compatibility across various devices and applications.

macOS High Sierra represents the fourteenth version of Apple's operating system tailored for its Macintosh range, encompassing desktops, laptops, and servers. This edition is the second release that follows the rebranding from OS X to the macOS name. To take advantage of Siri, users need a stable broadband Internet connection along with a microphone, which can either be built into the device or an external one. For utilizing Photo Booth, a FaceTime or iSight camera is required, which can be integrated within the device or connected through USB video class (UVC). Moreover, initiating FaceTime video calls necessitates either a built-in FaceTime camera or an external iSight camera, as well as a USB video class (UVC) camera, and a dependable broadband Internet connection is crucial for all these features. These specifications are designed to ensure that users can fully take advantage of High Sierra's multimedia functionalities, enriching their overall experience with the operating system. Ensuring these requirements are met allows for seamless interaction and enhances the capability to enjoy various applications.

OS X Yosemite marks the eleventh version of Apple's operating system tailored for Macintosh computers. It was first revealed to developers at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 2, 2014, and its public beta became available on July 24, 2014. To take advantage of Time Machine, users must acquire an additional hard drive or an AirPort Time Capsule, which are not included with the system. For the Photo Booth application to function, a FaceTime or iSight camera is required, whether it is integrated into the computer or connected externally, along with either a USB video class (UVC) camera or a FireWire DV camcorder. When utilizing a DV camcorder, certain backdrop effects will function only if the camcorder has fixed settings for focus, exposure, and white balance. Users can initiate video calls using a built-in FaceTime camera, an external iSight camera, a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder, necessitating a minimum Internet connection speed of 128 Kbps for both upload and download. For high-definition video calls, having a built-in FaceTime HD camera is crucial, along with a recommended Internet connection speed of at least 1 Mbps for the best experience. Furthermore, it is important for users to have a compatible Intel-based Mac to effectively receive HD video calls and enjoy seamless communication. This compatibility ensures that users can fully leverage the capabilities of OS X Yosemite while engaging in video conferencing or capturing moments through the Photo Booth application.

macOS Sierra represents the thirteenth version of Apple’s operating system for its diverse line of Macintosh computers, which encompasses desktops, laptops, and servers. This iteration marks the transition to the new macOS branding, departing from the former OS X designation. Users seeking to access Siri will need a reliable broadband Internet connection and a microphone, which can be either built-in or external. Furthermore, making phone calls through this operating system requires an iPhone that runs iOS 8 or a more recent version, combined with an active carrier subscription. For users wishing to engage in FaceTime video calls, having a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (whether built-in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder is essential, along with a dependable broadband Internet connection to ensure the best performance. This rebranding and enhancement of features underscores Apple's ongoing dedication to improving the user experience across all its devices while also making communication more seamless and accessible. As technology continues to evolve, Apple consistently integrates new functionalities that cater to the needs of its users, reinforcing its position in the market.

OS X Mountain Lion, the ninth version of Apple's OS X operating system for desktops, laptops, and servers, was unveiled on February 16, 2012, and made available on July 25, 2012, solely via the Mac App Store. Known formally as Mac OS X 10.8, this system can operate on older machines that are not eligible for the latest macOS updates, provided there is a prior installation of OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8, Lion 10.7, or Mountain Lion 10.8. Furthermore, certain functionalities require a compatible Internet service provider, which could lead to extra fees, while others necessitate an Apple ID and are subject to relevant terms and conditions. Users with these older systems will find that they can still take advantage of the new features and improvements that Mountain Lion introduces, enabling them to enhance their computing experience despite hardware limitations. This capability helps bridge the gap between older technology and modern advancements.