Are you a MacOS user wanting to know your version number? With the macOS command line, you can quickly and easily find out the version number of your Mac.
This step-by-step guide will help you understand what the macOS Command Line is, why knowing the macOS version number is important, how to access the Terminal, and how to check the macOS version number.
Well also provide troubleshooting tips if you run into any technical issues.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
The easiest way to check the version of macOS you are running is by using the command line utility “sw_vers”.
This command will display the version of macOS you are currently running.
Additionally, you can use the “system_profiler” command to get more detailed system information, including the version of macOS.
To use either of these commands, open the Terminal application and type them in followed by the Enter key.
What is the macOS Command Line?
The macOS command line is a powerful tool that allows users to access and interact with computer systems.
By typing in commands, users can perform tasks and manipulate their systems in ways they cant do with a standard graphical user interface.
This can include checking the version of macOS they are running, which can be helpful for troubleshooting system issues or updating their system.
The command line is accessed through the Terminal app, which is an application that allows users to send commands to the command line.
It is a powerful tool that requires users to know the correct syntax and commands for the tasks they want to accomplish.
The command line is the foundation of the Unix operating system, which is the foundation of macOS.
As such, the macOS command line is a very powerful tool for users to access and manipulate their systems.
By using the command line, users can perform tasks such as checking the version of macOS they are running.
This can be helpful for troubleshooting system issues or updating their system.
To check the version of macOS from the command line, users need to open the Terminal app and type sw_vers and press enter.
This will then display the version of macOS they are running.
What is the macOS Version Number?
The macOS version number is a unique identifier for the specific operating system installed on your Mac.
It is a combination of two numbers, one for the major version and one for the minor version.
For example, the version number for macOS Sierra 10.12 is 10.12.
The major version number (10) indicates a major version update, while the minor version number (12) indicates a minor update or bug fix.
Knowing the version number of your macOS installation is important for troubleshooting system issues or updating your system.
It also helps you determine which applications and software are compatible with your Mac.
Why Knowing the macOS Version Number is Important
Knowing the macOS version number is important for a variety of reasons.
First, when troubleshooting system issues or updating your system, having the exact version number of your macOS is essential.
For example, if you are troubleshooting an issue with a specific application, you can use the macOS version number to determine if the application is compatible with your system and if you need to update it.
Additionally, having the exact version number of your macOS can help you quickly identify and download the latest version when you need to upgrade your system.
Another reason why knowing the macOS version number is important is because it allows you to easily check for compatibility with new hardware or software.
For example, if you are looking to purchase a new external hard drive, you can use the macOS version number to check if the drive is compatible with your system.
Additionally, if you are looking to install a new piece of software, you can use the macOS version number to ensure the software is compatible with your system.
Finally, knowing the macOS version number is also important when it comes to security.
As new versions of macOS are released, they include improved security features to help protect your system from malware and other threats.
By knowing the exact version of your macOS, you can ensure you are running the latest version with the best security features available.
How to Access the Terminal
If you want to check your macOS version from the command line, the first thing you need to do is access the Terminal app.
The Terminal app is a command line interface that lets you interact with your computer’s operating system.
To open the Terminal app, you can either use Spotlight to search for it or you can find it in the Applications folder in the Finder.
Once you have opened the Terminal app, you will be presented with a window that displays a prompt.
This prompt is where you can enter commands to interact with the macOS operating system.
To check your macOS version from the command line, you need to type the command sw_vers and press enter.
This command will then display the version of macOS you are running.
How to Check the macOS Version Number
Checking the macOS version number is a simple and straightforward process that can be done with the command line.
All you need to do is open the Terminal app, type sw_vers and press enter.
This will display the version of macOS you are running.
The Terminal app can be found by searching for Terminal in Spotlight or in the Applications folder.
Once you have opened the Terminal app, type sw_vers and press enter.
You should then see a message that displays the version of macOS you are running.
The sw_vers command will give you the exact version number of your macOS, which can be helpful for troubleshooting system issues or making sure you have the latest version of macOS installed.
Knowing the exact version number can also help you find specific instructions for any software you may be running on your Mac.
You can also use the System Information app to check the version of macOS you are running.
This app can be found by searching for System Information in Spotlight or in the Utilities folder.
Once you have opened the System Information app, select the Software tab and then select the System Version row to view the exact version of macOS you are running.
While checking your macOS version number from the command line is quick and easy, using the System Information app can be helpful if you need more detailed information about your macOS system.
The System Information app can also give you information about your Mac hardware, installed software, and system settings.
In conclusion, knowing your macOS version number is important for troubleshooting system issues or making sure you have the latest version of macOS installed.
Checking your macOS version number is a simple process that can be done with the command line or with the System Information app.
Other Ways to Check macOS Version Number
In addition to checking your macOS version number using the command line, there are other ways to quickly find out what version of macOS youre running.
One way to do this is by clicking the Apple logo in the top left of your screen, and selecting About This Mac.
A window will appear with your macOS version number, as well as other information about your Mac.
Another way to check your macOS version is to open System Preferences, select Software Update, and then click About This Mac.
In the window that appears, youll see the version number listed.
If youre unfamiliar with System Preferences or the macOS interface, you can also open the App Store and click Updates in the left-hand sidebar.
Youll see the version of macOS that youre currently running at the top of the page.
Finally, if youre not sure how to access any of these methods, you can also check the serial number or model name of your Mac.
The model name and serial number are usually located on the underside of your Mac or on the box that it came in.
Once youve determined the model name and serial number, you can look up the macOS version that the device was originally shipped with.
Troubleshooting Tips
When troubleshooting system issues, knowing the macOS version you’re running is essential.
Knowing the version can help you identify potential problems, upgrade your system, and more.
Fortunately, you can easily check your version number using the command line.
This blog post will provide a step-by-step guide on how to know your macOS version from the command line.
The first step is to open the Terminal app.
To do this, you can either open the Finder app, select “Applications” from the left-hand side, and then double-click the Terminal icon.
Alternatively, you can search for “Terminal” in Spotlight, which can be accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the upper right-hand corner of the menu bar.
Once the Terminal window is open, type “sw_vers” and press enter. This will then display the version of macOS you’re running. For example, if you’re running macOS Catalina 10.15, the output will be “ProductName: Mac OS X ProductVersion: 10.15”.
It’s important to note that the version number displayed by the sw_vers command will be the version of the operating system you’re currently running, not the version of macOS installed on your Mac.
If you’ve recently upgraded to a new version of macOS, the sw_vers command will not display the version number of the new version until your Mac has restarted.
In addition to the sw_vers command, you can also use the system_profiler command to check the version of macOS installed on your Mac.
To do this, open the Terminal app, type “system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType” and press enter.
This will then display the version of macOS installed on your Mac.
It’s also possible to check your macOS version by opening the About This Mac window.
To do this, click the Apple logo in the upper left-hand corner of the menu bar, and then select About This Mac.
This will open the About This Mac window, which will display the version of macOS currently installed on your Mac.
By following the steps outlined above, you should now be able to know your macOS version from the command line.
Knowing your macOS version can be helpful when troubleshooting system issues or upgrading your system.
Final Thoughts
Knowing your macOS version number is a great way to ensure that your system is running the most up-to-date versions and is free of any major issues.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily check your version number from the command line.
Additionally, you can use other methods to check your version number, such as the About This Mac window.
With this newfound knowledge, you can now keep your system up-to-date and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.