macOS 10.13 High Sierra release date, news and features

Earlier this year, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2017), the company revealed the follow-up to macOS Sierra, humorously dubbed macOS High Sierra. Comical as it sounds, the changes in tow appear similar in magnitude to those featured in the transition from OS X Leopard to Snow Leopard.

• Before long, some of the best laptops will run macOS High Sierra

Last year’s update to the Mac OS X of old was very well received, bringing better integration between Macs running the software and iPhones and Apple Watch devices. High Sierra, on the other hand, seems to be iterating on functionality that’s already in place. Nevertheless, here's everything we know so far.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The 2017 edition of Apple’s Mac operating system, macOS
• When is it out? Public beta in late June; full release in autumn
• What will it cost? macOS 10.13 will be free to download

macOS 10.13 High Sierra release date

Apple announced macOS 10.13 High Sierra at the WWDC 2017 keynote event, which came as little surprise, as it's traditional for Apple to announce the latest version of its Mac software at its annual developer event.

But, when will we be able to download and use macOS 10.13 High Sierra? If you’re really keen to try it out then you can download the macOS 10.13 High Sierra Developer Preview right now. 

To do so, head over to the Apple Developer Program enrollment webpage, which will show you everything you need to sign up for the program and will then allow you to download macOS 10.13 High Sierra Developer Preview. It’s in its sixth version right now, so while it’s much closer to its final form, we still can’t recommend installing it on a primary machine.

A public beta for macOS 10.13 was seeded to risk takers and dual booters was seeded in late June and was recently treated to its fifth update. Like the developer beta, it’s not perfectly stable yet, so your best bet is to wait until next month when we expect macOS High Sierra to erupt in full force.

macOS 10.13 High Sierra features

Apple has promised a number of exciting new features with macOS 10.13 High Sierra. These include improvements to Safari – which now will thwart ad-tracking and auto-playing videos – and a more comprehensive Spotlight Search in the Mail App. 

Plus, when you’re writing emails, the app now allows split view for the compose window – and it will use up to 35% less disk space as well.

The Photos app has also been updated in macOS 10.13 High Sierra, with a better sorting tool, along with a new layout, better facial recognition thanks to neural networks, and better syncing across all Apple devices.

Editing tools have also been improved, making it easier than ever to improve your photos without knowing too much about the process. You'll even get to apply Instagram-like filters to your photos in post.

One of the biggest changes with macOS High Sierra is with the file system. It’s ditching the HFS – which Apple has used for around 30 years, and is now using the Apple File System (APFS). Every Mac that’s upgraded to macOS High Sierra will make this files system change automatically while new Macs will come pre-formatted. 

APFS, to be exact, is a 64-bit file system that supports native encryption and faster metadata operation. This may all sound a bit techy, but the bottom line is that this will make your Mac feel a lot faster, while also being more secure and more transparent about the nature of your files and folder contents.

The update will also bring HEVC, or H.265, video compression to the Mac. The firm claims that this new standard can compress video files 40% more than the previous-generation H.264 standard. The end result will be faster video streams at higher resolutions – ahem, 4K – and smaller video files sizes when stored locally.

VR finally comes to the Mac

One of the biggest bits of news surrounding macOS High Sierra is that it will finally bring support for virtual reality headsets officially. Namely, the HTC Vive and Steam VR will work with Macs running the new OS this autumn.

However, to use such a device, you'll need at least an iMac Pro or 5K iMac – or, any Mac that can run the new OS with an external graphics card box attached via Thunderbolt 3. Support for such devices will come part and parcel with macOS High Sierra. but won't be an available function until spring 2018.

macOS 10.13 High Sierra compatibility

Luckily, if you’re a developer eager to take part in the fun right now, Epic Games has released early access support for VR on Mac. Though the final version won’t come until October, with a preview slated for September, you can head on over to the Unreal Github right now (login required) and get an exclusive glimpse of the future.

Don’t expect to jack a Rift into your Mac anytime soon, though, as an Oculus spokesperson recently told Road to VR that there is “no news on macOS support at this time.” That news came just a few months after company founder Palmer Luckey said Oculus support won’t ever come to Apple’s computers unless “they ever make a good computer.”

Joe Osborne has also contributed to this report.

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