How to upgrade to Golden Gate, Mac OS 27
This is part of a series of tips from Mac OS 11.0 Big Sur, 12.0 Monterey, 13.0 Ventura, 14.0 Sonoma, 15.0 Sequoia, and 26.0 Tahoe release, 27.0 Golden Gate client release
Mac OS 27 Golden Gate was released September 14, 2026.
Printer and RAW updated links to be edited later.
As with all updates and upgrades, it is recommended you backup your data first.
Before upgrading, don't do so, in order to optimize your speed. Frequently an optimizer will slow you down, and it won't stop from slowing you down by upgrading your system. Your first step is to make sure your system is running optimally before upgrading. Upgrades are there for feature enhancements and new features. If you have already been trying optimizers, read what I have to say about removing them:
Amended comments to MacKeeper tip - Apple Community
The latest system wide security update for Golden Gate via Apple menu -> System Settings -> Software Update, and Apple menu -> About This Mac Software Update. Like Ventura, and Sonoma, System Preferences has been replaced by System Settings. This interface is more like the Settings App of iPhone and iPad.
Server release editions of the OS, visit this forum:
macOS Server - Apple Community
Earlier tips exist, but are not mentioned as there is no direct upgrade path on the same computer running older operating systems except to network with Macs running Big Sur.
Here the minimum hardware requirements with System Profiler [Machine ID], minimum operating system:
MacBook Air: M1 (November 2020) or newer Big Sur [MacBook Air 10,1]
MacBook Pro: M1 (2020) or newer, came with Mac OS 11 Big Sur [Macbook Pro 17,1]
iMac: M1 (2021) or newer, Big Sur [iMac 21,2]
Mac mini: M1 (2020) or newer Big Sur [MacMini 9,1]
Mac Studio: All models, Monterey (12.3) [Mac13,1]
Mac Pro: 2023 model or newer, Ventura 13.4 [Mac14,8]
MacBook Neo: 2026 models (A18 Pro), Tahoe 26.0 [Mac17,5]
Golden Gate is the first Mac OS that does not run on Intel CPU Macs or has a copy of Boot Camp. Microsoft Windows ARM is available for all Apple Silicon Macs.
Another way to identify if your Mac is capable of running it is my tip.
An upgrade will not fix errors, kernel panics, or issues with slowness. Optimizers and anti-virus utilities should be disabled before performing the upgrade from the App Store. You may also find Filevault can slow down the upgrade.
All security updates and point release updates are released through Apple menu -> About This Mac -> Software Update and the system settings for it. Apple security releases - Apple Support
Discusses the security releases.
We will be updating this tip as information becomes available.
Like all Catalina and later operating systems, you must have all 64 bit applications and drivers to upgrade from earlier operating systems.
Third party compatibility information that predates the release date should be taken with a grain of salt.
https://roaringapps.com/apps?platform=osx is a nice third party listing of those updates. Check with individual vendors as well. November 2020 and later Macs also support iOS Apps, but do not add touch support. Prior to September 14, 2026 listings are to be taken with a grain of salt. That website allows for editing compatibility. So if you have the opportunity please edit it with the current release.
No Sierra or older system will be able to see the contents of Sequoia systems that are installed on solid state drives, as APFS formatting is used on High Sierra and higher systems which are the minimum for Sequoia. The only way to get Sierra to see it is via network connections, and not Target Disk Mode connections.
As no Sierra compatible Mac can have Sequoia installed only mounting a High Sierra or later Mac in target mode does it matter that APFS is the primary formatting for High Sierra and later, and Sierra doesn't support it. You may find it is easier to network Sierra than use it in target disk mode if you want Sierra to be the host machine, and Sequoia to be the target machine. High Sierra gives optional HFS Extended GUID formatting to platter drives, but not solid state drives. Mojave and later you can use HFS Extended GUID to format the drive, but it will automatically format as APFS when you install an OS.
Once you upgrade, Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia have a new means of determining free space, and that's on
Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
Apple's Airprint - use Option key when adding the printer in the system settings to pick up on any existing WiFi connected printer on the same WiFi network as the Mac that Supports Airprint. Note this driver may be based on generic open source drivers, as opposed to manufacturer specific drivers.
The following printer manufacturers have identified their Sequoia support (information current as of September 15, 2025). Tahoe updates are not yet up as a separate page on any printer manufacturer website. Feel free to add comments at end of tip if you get direct links to Tahoe related drivers.
Updates as of October 12, 2025
Brother - Now has Tahoe support.
Canon - A searchable support page where you can pick which documents have changed with Tahoe support..
Epson - new Tahoe page
Fujitsu - no specific Tahoe support. Provides search engine for drivers.
HP/Samsung - not specific to Sequoia, but providing a quick way to search compatibility
Konica/Minolta - Sequoia page now available
Lexmark - website only shows support up to Mojave.
Okidata Tahoe support only.
Ricoh - has Tahoe support
Xerox - Search drivers by MacOS Tahoe.
Digital Cameras: