Apple Timeline NEW
Apple Releases OS 27
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, tvOS 27 and visionOS 27 are released.
John Ternus becomes CEO
Apple's former SVP of Hardware Engineering succeeds Tim Cook.
Apple Turns 50
Apple marks its 50th anniversary since founding.
Apple Releases OS 26
Apple introduces a new Liquid Glass design and merges version numbers to reflect the year ahead.
Apple 2024 Software Releases
iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, tvOS 18 and visionOS 2 are released.
Apple Vision Pro launches
Apple Vision Pro becomes available in the United States.
visionOS launches
Apple launches visionOS with Apple Vision Pro, establishing its dedicated spatial computing platform.
macOS Sonoma
Apple releases macOS Sonoma, introducing features including desktop widgets, Game Mode and new video conferencing capabilities.
Apple 2023 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17.
Apple 2022 iPad and Mac Releases
Apple releases iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura.
Apple 2022 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 16, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16.
macOS Monterey
Apple releases macOS Monterey, adding features including Universal Control, Focus and AirPlay to Mac.
Apple 2021 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and tvOS 15.
macOS Big Sur
Apple releases macOS Big Sur, introducing a major visual redesign and preparing macOS for Apple silicon.
Apple silicon Macs
Apple introduces its first Macs powered by Apple silicon.
Apple 2020 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7 and tvOS 14.
macOS Catalina
Apple releases macOS Catalina, ending support for 32-bit applications and replacing iTunes with dedicated Music, TV and Podcasts apps.
iPadOS 13
Apple releases iPadOS 13, the first version of its dedicated operating system for iPad.
Apple 2019 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 13, watchOS 6 and tvOS 13.
iPadOS announced
Apple announces iPadOS, establishing a dedicated operating system for iPad with features designed specifically for the larger display and hardware.
macOS Mojave
Apple releases macOS Mojave, introducing features including Dark Mode, Stacks and a redesigned Mac App Store.
Apple 2018 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 12, watchOS 5 and tvOS 12.
macOS High Sierra
Apple releases macOS High Sierra, introducing Apple File System and other major underlying improvements.
Apple 2017 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 11, watchOS 4 and tvOS 11.
macOS Sierra
Apple releases macOS Sierra, bringing Siri, Apple Pay on the web and deeper iCloud integration to Mac.
Apple 2016 Software Releases
Apple releases iOS 10, watchOS 3 and tvOS 10.
tvOS launches
Apple releases tvOS with the fourth-generation Apple TV, establishing Apple's dedicated operating system for Apple TV.
OS X El Capitan
Apple releases OS X El Capitan, focusing on performance, efficiency and improvements to the Mac experience.
watchOS 2
Apple releases watchOS 2, the first major software update for Apple Watch.
iOS 9
Apple releases iOS 9, bringing new multitasking, productivity and intelligence features to iPhone and iPad.
watchOS launches
Apple Watch launches with its own operating system, establishing watchOS as Apple's dedicated wearable platform.
OS X Yosemite
Apple releases OS X Yosemite, introducing a major visual redesign inspired by iOS 7.
iOS 8
Apple releases iOS 8, introducing features including Continuity, Apple Pay and expanded capabilities for developers.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks
Apple releases OS X 10.9 Mavericks, the first Mac operating system named after a California location.
iOS 7
Apple releases iOS 7, introducing a major visual redesign and a new interface across iPhone and iPad.
iOS 6
Apple releases iOS 6, introducing Apple Maps, Passbook and deeper integration with Apple's services.
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Apple releases OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, bringing features such as Notification Center, Messages and iCloud integration to Mac.
iOS 5
Apple releases iOS 5, introducing Notification Center, iMessage, iCloud and a new PC-free activation experience.
Tim Cook becomes CEO
Apple's COO succeeds Steve Jobs and becomes CEO.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, bringing features and design ideas inspired by iPhone and iPad to the Mac.
iOS 4
Apple releases iOS 4, introducing multitasking, folders, FaceTime and the iOS name.
iPad launches
The original iPad goes on sale.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, focusing on performance, efficiency and underlying system improvements.
iPhone OS 3
Apple releases iPhone OS 3, adding features including copy and paste, MMS and Spotlight search.
iPhone OS 2
Apple releases iPhone OS 2, introducing the App Store and allowing third-party applications on iPhone.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, introducing major features including Time Machine and Spaces.
iPhone launches
The original iPhone goes on sale in the United States.
iPhone OS launches
Apple launches iPhone OS with the original iPhone, creating the foundation of what would become iOS.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, introducing features including Spotlight and Dashboard.
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, bringing a redesigned Finder and major new system features.
Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, adding major new features and improvements to the Mac operating system.
iPod announced
Apple introduces the original iPod.
Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.1 Puma, the second major release of its modern Mac operating system.
Apple opens its first retail stores
Apple opens its first two retail stores in the United States.
Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah, introducing the modern Mac operating system.
Steve Jobs becomes CEO
Following his return, Jobs takes over the top job at Apple.
Steve Jobs returns to Apple
Steve Jobs returns to Apple after Apple acquires NeXT.
Gil Amelio becomes CEO
Gil Amelio became Apple's CEO after serving on the company's board of directors since 1994.
Michael Spindler becomes CEO
Michael Spindler became Apple's CEO in June 1993, succeeding John Sculley after leading the company's international operations.
Steve Jobs leaves Apple
Steve Jobs leaves Apple following a power struggle within the company.
Macintosh launches
Apple introduces the original Macintosh.
John Sculley becomes CEO
John Sculley became CEO after Steve Jobs recruited him from PepsiCo, famously persuading him to leave the beverage industry and join Apple.
Mike Markkula becomes CEO
Mike Markkula became Apple's second CEO in March 1981, succeeding Michael Scott as the company entered a period of rapid growth.
Michael Scott becomes CEO
Apple's appoints its first Chief Executive Officer
Apple is founded
Apple Computer Company is founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
