macOS Sonoma: New Features and How to Install It on Your MacBook

Posted By Volodymyr Chubei | 28 May 2025

If you want to learn what's new in macOS Sonoma, and safely prepare your Mac to install the update, you can learn here how to check your device compatibility, save your data, install step-by-step macOS Sonoma on Mac, and take advantage of the new features.

macOS Sonoma: What is

Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma as the next step of developing its desktop operating system - it combines modern technology, improved performance, and an updated user experience for Mac users.

This OS focuses on the comfort of work, creativity and entertainment. Users get more than just a redesigned interface, they get enhanced desktop personalization, improved gaming performance, new video calling tools, and deeper integration with the Apple ecosystem.

What's New in macOS Sonoma

MacOS Sonoma offers a number of notable innovations, each aimed at making your Mac more productive, convenient, and fun to use.

Key features worth highlighting, they are:

Desktop Widgets. Now you can place widgets right on your desktop and interact with them, such as checking the weather, creating notes, or keeping track of events in your calendar. This is convenient, especially if you're used to having important information at your fingertips.
Game Mode. New for gamers: the system automatically reduces latency and prioritizes CPU and GPU resources to the game. This provides a more stable FPS and response, especially when controllers or headsets are connected.
Safari Enhancements. Web application support is built in - you can pin sites to the dock and use them as standalone programs. The Profiles feature lets you separate tabs and extensions by scenario: Work and Home, for example. Browser security has also been improved.
Video Conferencing (Video Conferencing Tools). Reactions - fireworks, hearts, confetti, and other gesture-activated visual effects are now available. Presenter Overlay lets you overlay your image on top of your presentation, making communication more visual and lively.
Messages. Added animated stickers, the ability to create your own, and improved message search - now it is easier to find the needed correspondence.
Additional innovations. macOS Sonoma offers live screensavers with high-resolution scenery, as well as enhanced PDF editing capabilities right in Notes.

Each of these features of macOS Sonoma makes everyday work more comfortable, and interacting with your Mac more intuitive and inspiring.

macOS Sonoma vs. Previous Versions

With the release of macOS Sonoma, Apple has once again taken a step forward by introducing a number of features that were not available in its previous versions, macOS Ventura and Monterey. For users concerned about switching, it's important to understand exactly what changes have been made and how Sonoma differs from its predecessors.

New features which are not available in Ventura and Monterey:

Interactive widgets on the desktop - Previously, widgets were limited to the Notification Center.

Game Mode - for the first time, a principal focus on gaming performance is implemented on your Mac.
Safari Profiles and web apps are a convenient way to devide your personal and work space.

Presenter Overlay and Reactions for video calls are features focused on visual communication.
Live screensavers and enhanced PDF handling in Notes - improvements for visual and document comfort.

Productivity and Safety:

Compared to the Monterey, the Sonoma offers improved power optimization algorithms, more stable application performance and updated privacy protection.
The system handles multitasking scenarios faster, especially on the new Apple Silicon chips.

If you actively use specific professional software or plugin-oriented applications (e.g. music, design, 3D modeling), we recommend waiting for a few updates - the stabilized version of Sonoma will eliminate possible bugs and ensure compatibility.

Comparison chart: Sonoma vs Ventura vs Monterey:

Parameter	macOS Sonoma	macOS Ventura	macOS Monterey
The year of issue	2023	2022	2021
Apple Silicon Support (M1/M2/M3)	Full (with native optimizations)	Yes (some functions are not supported)	Partial through Rosetta 2
Installation time (clean upgrade)	30 to 50 minutes	30 to 50 minutes	40 to 60 minutes
Free space for installation	25 to 50 GB	20 to 35 GB	20 to 30 GB
Wi-Fi support	Wi-Fi 6E (on Macs with the appropriate chip)	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth support	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
Max. screen resolution	Up to 6K HDR (Apple Studio Display)	up to 5K HDR	up to 4K SDR
Metal support	Metal 3	Metal 2	Metal 2
System boot time (M1/M2)	~15-18 seconds	~18-22 seconds.	~25-30 seconds
Updated Safari	Safari 17.0.	Safari 16.0.	Safari 15.0
System security version (SEPOS)	iBoot v10386.120.1	iBoot v10151.80.1	iBoot v7459.101.2.

System Requirements and Compatibility

Before upgrading to macOS Sonoma, it's important to make sure that your device is on the list of compatible models and that your drive has the necessary amount of free space to install the system.

The following models are suitable for the upgrade:

MacBook Air and Pro: starting in 2018;
iMac: models released from 2019 + iMac Pro;
Mac mini: starting in 2018;
Mac Pro: starting in 2019;
Mac Studio: starting with the first release in 2022.

How to find information about your Mac model:

From the Apple menu, select About This Mac.
In the window that opens, you will see the model and year of manufacture.

Also: macOS Sequoia: Features, How to Download It

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before installing macOS Sonoma, it is recommended to perform basic system preparation. This will help avoid errors during the upgrade process and ensure that everything goes correctly

1. Creating a backup copy

Before any system update, it is important to save the current data. To do this, use the built-in Time Machine feature:

Connect an external drive formatted in HFS+ or APFS format.
Open the Apple menu, go to the System Settings tab, then to Basic and select Time Machine.
Specify the disk to be backed up and start the backup.

2. Checking free space

The installation will require from 25 to 50 GB of free space, so it is recommended to check if it is available.

From the Apple menu, open System Settings, go to Basic, and click on Storage.
See how much disk space is available.
If there is not enough free space, you can delete temporary files, old applications, empty the Recycle Bin, or transfer some data to an external drive.

If the memory capacity is insufficient, the installation may fail

3. Application update

After updating, outdated versions of programs may run unstably or not run at all.

To avoid that:

Go to the App Store and install available updates.
Update third-party programs manually using the developer's website.

If you are using specialized software (e.g. for design or installation), check its compatibility with Sonoma in advance.

How to Install macOS Sonoma

macOS Sonoma is the final stable version available directly through system preferences. Neither beta profiles nor a developer account are required. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth upgrade.

Step 1: Check for updates

Make sure the system offers the new version:

Go to System Settings in the Apple menu.
In the Basic section, click on Software Update.

Step 2: Start the installation

Once the update is found, follow the standard installation procedure:

Read the description and click Continue.
Agree to the terms of the license agreement.
Select the disk to install (usually a Macintosh HD).
Click Install and wait for the process to begin.

The computer may automatically restart several times during installation.

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete

The installation itself takes some time, depending on the device model. On an average Mac with an SSD and an Apple Silicon processor, it takes 30 to 50 minutes. Do not turn off the power or close the laptop lid until the installation is complete.

Step 4: Check the result

After the final reboot, perform a standard check. Go to the Apple menu, click on the About this Mac line, and verify that macOS Sonoma 14 is installed. Open a few apps that you use daily and verify that they are working correctly.

You can also watch a detailed video guide on how to install the MacOS.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite the stability of the final release of mac OS Sonoma, typical failures can occur during the upgrade process. The table below summarizes the main issues users encounter and practical ways to resolve them.

Problem	Possible cause	Decision
The update is not displayed	Your device is not on the list of supported models or the update has not yet been deployed for your geolocation	Check Mac compatibility, restart your system, try again later. If necessary, download the installer manually from Apple's website
Not enough disk space	Requires at least 25-30 GB of free space	Empty your Downloads, Documents, and Recycle Bin folders. Transfer media files to an external drive or iCloud
The installation stops or shows an error	Corrupt installer, boot failure, file error	Remove the old installation file from Programs, reboot your Mac, and install again
Gray/black screen at startup	Problem with system booting after upgrade	Force reboot your Mac, boot into recovery mode (Command + R), and check your disk through Disk Utility
Some applications do not start	Lack of compatibility with macOS 14	Update apps through the App Store or from the developer's website. If necessary, use alternatives temporarily
Errors when installing from an external drive	Outdated format or damaged USB drive	Reformat the drive to APFS or HFS+ before creating the installer via Terminal

Post-Installation Tips

After installing macOS Sonoma, it is important to make sure that the system is working properly and the features are up to date.

Where to start.

Open the menu, go to About this Mac, and verify that macOS Sonoma 14.x.x is installed.
Go to the App Store, then to the Updates category and install all available versions of applications. For third-party software, especially professional software, it is recommended to go to the developer's website and download the current versions compatible with Sonoma.
Add widgets to your desktop via Settings. Open the Desktop and Dock section and then click the Widgets tab. Enable Game Mode by launching any game - the system will activate it automatically. Check Reactions and Presenter Overlay in video calls (for example, FaceTime or Zoom).

Conclusion

macOS Sonoma is a full-fledged step forward in the development of Apple's operating system. New features like desktop widget support, Game Mode, and Safari enhancements make working on a Mac more flexible, faster, and more up-to-date. And the system remains stable and security-focused.

It's important not to skip the installation preparation step: backing up, freeing up memory, and checking application compatibility directly affect the success of the migration. Installation takes about an hour and is available for most recent Mac models.

If you want to get the most out of your device - upgrading to the new version is justified.

Share in the comments how your transition to Sonoma went, or ask questions if you encountered problems.

TechToro offers professional Mac repair and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly.

FAQ

1. Is macOS Sonoma still supported?

Yes, macOS Sonoma is the current version of the system officially supported by Apple. It receives regular security updates and functional patches.

2. Where can I download macOS 14 Sonoma?

You can do this through the Software Update section in the system settings or from Apple's official website.

3. Why can't I update my Mac to Sonoma?

Your Mac may not be compatible with Sonoma. Make sure your device is on the list of supported models (MacBook Air/Pro from 2018 and later, iMac from 2019, etc.).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Volodymyr Chubei
Computer Repair Specialist at TechToro.io

Volodymyr was born in Ukraine and has found his passion for electronics from his childhood. At the age of 13, he was capable of soldering some basic elements of a logic board and today he is one of the co-founders of TechToro.io