Mac users can now install macOS Sequoia 15.5… but there’s really no hurry. This new version is especially light on new features.
It seems clear that much of Apple’s attention is on upcoming AI features, macOS 16, and other enhancements coming later in the year.
macOS Sequoia 15.5 joins iOS 18.5 and other updates
Monday brought updates to a wide range of Apple operating systems — macOS Sequoia 15.5 is just the start. There’s also iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, and visionOS 2.5 ready to be installed.
Mac users can be forgiven for feeling a bit underwhelmed by their new version. It can probably be best described as a patch. The release note for macOS 15.5 reads:
This update includes enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.
- Parents now receive a notification when the Screen Time passcode is used on a child’s device.
It seems more like it could have been called macOS 15.4.2 instead. That said, even small patches like this take care of unwelcome bugs, and frequently close security holes. That’s why it’s important for everyone to keep their Mac updated with the latest versions.
Focus on the future
It’s likely macOS 15.5 is only a minor patch because Apple’s attention is elsewhere. The WWDC 25 developers conference kicks off on June 9, and unveiling macOS 16 is surely on the agenda. A significant redesign of the Mac’s operating system is supposedly in the offing, along with user interface changes to iPhone and iPad to make all three platforms look much more alike.
And beyond that, this WWDC is an especially critical one. Many of the AI-powered features announced at last year’s developers conference haven’t launched yet, and are still months away. That includes a much-hyped smarter version of Siri stuck in development hell for months.
It’s possible all doesn’t leave much time for macOS Sequoia.
How to patch your Mac
To download the macOS Sequoia update, go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
