How to shop with apple pay on macos sierra

Thanks to macOS Sierra and iOS 10, you can now use Apple Pay on the web through Safari. Apple Pay was previously not available on the Mac and required apps for use on the iPhone and iPad. Apple Pay makes checking out online secure and convenient without the need to fill out billing and shipping information with an online form. Here’s how to get started with Apple Pay on the web:

What software works with Apple Pay on the web?

Checking out with Apple Pay on the web requires Safari for macOS Sierra or iOS 10. Apple Watch authentication for Mac payments requires watchOS 3.

What hardware works with Apple Pay on the web?

Any Mac that can run macOS Sierra and any iPhone or iPad that can run iOS 10. All current Apple Watch models can run watchOS 3.

How to setup Apple Pay for use on the web

Apple Pay on the web requires setting up Apple Pay on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.

To set up Apple Pay on the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Add Credit or Debit Card.

To set up Apple Pay on the Apple Watch for use with your Mac, go to Watch → Wallet & Apple Pay → Add Credit or Debit Card from your iPhone. Apple has a useful guide for more information.

Apple Pay on the web from your Mac requires using the same iCloud account across devices.

How to use Apple Pay on the web

Once everything is setup, actually using Apple Pay on the web is super easy. Just look for the Apple Pay button at checkout from supported sites. Safari on your Mac will prompt you to approve the purchase on your Apple Watch with a double-click of the side button. Safari on your iPhone or iPad simply requests your fingerprint using Touch ID with an on-screen dialog box. You can also confirm your billing and shipping information from this screen.

Here’s what Apple Pay on the Mac looks like in action when using Apple Watch to authenticate:

Click Apple Pay as your payment option and confirm the billing and shipping details from your Mac.

This prompts you to complete the transaction by verifying Apple Pay as your payment method from your Apple Watch.

Then over on the Apple Watch, simply double-click the side button to confirm the payment.

You can optionally tap your default debit or credit card to change to a different debit or credit card that is also set up with Apple Pay.

And back on the Mac, the checkout process confirms when the payment is received as normal:

And on the iPad (the iPhone will look the same) where you don’t need an Apple Watch to authenticate:

Apple Pay is already available on Apple.com as you would expect, and several other sites including WarbyParker.com, lululemon.com, Staples.com and tons of stores online based on their payment backend.

Stripe also has a handy demo that you can try to see Apple Pay on the web in action without spending any money. Apple has a dedicated guide for more information on using Apple Pay in stores, apps, and online.

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Вы можете легко и безопасно совершать покупки на Mac, используя Safari и Apple Pay. Перед оплатой проверьте, доступна ли служба Apple Pay, затем завершите покупку на компьютере Mac с Touch ID, iPhone (с iOS 10 или новее) или Apple Watch (с watchOS 3 или новее). Если для завершения покупки Вы используете iPhone или Apple Watch, то на этом устройстве и на компьютере Mac должен быть выполнен вход с одним и тем же Apple ID.

Примечание. Функция Apple Pay доступна не во всех регионах.

Прежде чем использовать Apple Pay, укажите кредитную или дебетовую карту на устройстве, которое будет использовать для совершения покупки.

В приложении Safari на компьютере Mac при оформлении заказа нажмите «Apple Pay».

Вы можете изменить кредитную карту, адрес доставки и контактную информацию, прежде чем завершать покупку.

Mac или клавиатура Magic Keyboard с сенсором Touch ID. Поместите палец на сенсор Touch ID, чтобы оплатить покупку.

Если Вы еще не настроили Touch ID, Вы можете коснуться кнопки «Купить» в панели Touch Bar и ввести пароль. Если Ваш компьютер Mac не оснащен панелью Touch Bar, можно дважды коснуться Touch ID и ввести пароль. Если Вы используете Mac с чипом Apple, можно дважды коснуться Touch ID и ввести пароль.

Только один пользователь на компьютере Mac может использовать Touch ID для совершения покупок через Apple Pay. Пользователи других учетных записей должны использовать iPhone или Apple Watch.

iPhone. Дважды нажмите боковую кнопку, затем выполните аутентификацию с помощью Face ID на iPhone X; или используйте Touch ID на других моделях.

This fall, Apple will release macOS Sierra, a major update to the Mac operating system. This FAQ will answer some of the general questions you may have to help you learn what it’s all about and whether you should install it on your Mac. We’ll update this FAQ with more questions, answers, and details as the release date approaches.

macOS? What happened to OS X?

Apple decided to change the name in order to fit with the names of iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. So no more Roman numerals (or that annoying person who insists on calling it “OS ex”).

Some trivia, if you’re interested: macOS isn’t entirely a new name. Before version 10, Apple used to call its Mac operating system Mac OS, with the last version being Mac OS 9. Apple change the name to OS X when version 10 was released in 2001.

Does Apple still name its Mac operating systems after California locations?

Yup. This one is macOS Sierra.

More trivia: Sierra refers to a mountain range in central and eastern California. It’s also called the Sierra Nevada, and a small part of the range lies in the state of Nevada. (Sierra is Spanish for mountain range and Nevada is Spanish for snowfall.) Lake Tahoe, a popular snow sports location in the winter and a frequently-visited lake in the summer, is located in the Sierra. Yosemite National Park (which is home to El Capitan) is also there. Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, is in the Sierra.

What version of the Mac operating system is this?

iCloud Drive will now let you access documents on saved to the Desktop on any Mac.

When will it be available?

macOS Sierra is available now. It started shipping on September 20, 2016.

How much will it cost?

Apple makes its operating systems available for free, and macOS Sierra will be no different.

How do I get macOS Sierra?

Will it run on my computer?

Here’s the list of Macs that will run macOS Sierra.

• MacBook (Late 2009 and later)
• MacBook Air (2010 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2010 and later)
• Mac mini (2010 and later)
• iMac (Late 2009 and later)
• Mac Pro (2010 and later)

Compatibility with Sierra, however, isn’t as simple as checking to see if your Mac is on the list. Here’s the complete story on Sierra compatibility, and Apple has information on what features are available based on region and language.

Should you upgrade to macOS Sierra?

Once you’ve determined that you have compatible hardware, deciding to upgrade is a personal choice. If you absolutely depend on a specific app and would be crippled without it, you should wait to make sure from that app developer that their software will work with macOS Sierra.

If you do decide to upgrade, make sure you back up your data first. If you end up having a serious problem, you can revert back using your backup.

I heard that Siri is in macOS Sierra. True?

It’s true. There will be a Siri icon in the dock. Clicking on it activates Siri. You can use it as you would with your iPhone, like say, if you need directions, are trying to find a nearby restaurant, or want information on a topic.

You can also use it to find files on your Mac. For example, you can tell Siri to find all the files with the word “report” in it, and Siri will list those files.

Siri also lets you work with other Apple apps. You can take Siri results for, say, an image, and then drag and drop the image into a Keynote presentation. You can have Siri find a location in Maps, and then drag the location into an email.

Apple has not announced a third-party API for macOS Siri. Siri works only with Apple apps. So, for example, if you want Siri to read your emails to you, you must use the Apple Mail app.

I also heard that Apple Pay is coming to the Mac. Yes?

Yes. When you’re shopping online and you see an Apple Pay button, you can click on it to use Apple Pay to pay for it. You still need your iPhone, however. Apple Pay on the Mac uses the iPhone’s Touch ID to verify your purchase; you can also press your Apple Watch side button twice.

Apple Pay on the Mac is coming with macOS Sierra.

Speaking of the Apple Watch, why can’t I use it to unlock my Mac?

Well, with macOS Sierra, you can. When your Mac has been inactive or you’re powering it up and you get to the login screen, a feature called Auto Unlock will sense your Apple Watch and instantly log you in. No more typing your password.

What are the other new features?

Here’s a list of the major new features showcased at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. They include iCloud Drive Desktop access, Optimized Storage, Picture in Picture, Tabs, and Universal Clipboard.

Some of the other neat features:

, a new file system not only for macOS but also for iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Launches in 2017.
• enhanced Messages.
• support for third-party app integration with the Contacts app.
• Apple Music improvements.

Photos for Mac gets new features, too. A new Memories tab automatically creates slideshows based on events, places, or people. There’s also support for extensions for Photos that will allow for editing of Live Photos. When you make an edit, it will apply to the whole Live Photo, not just the one sequence you edited.

Safari will have a major change in the way it handles content that uses plug-ins like Flash, Silverlight, and QuickTime. You’ll see an alert that tells you the plug-in is not installed, and you’ll need to click on a “Click to use” button to see the content. Apple is doing this to force websites to load—if it’s available—HTML5-compliant media implementations.

The latest macOS Sierra has surely brought a lot to the Mac desktops and laptops. Anyone who has a Mac that was made in or after 2008 can now download and install the latest macOS. One of the biggest highlights of this OS is that Siri is now available on the Mac as well. With Siri on the desktop, you can search any file in your hard disk by just saying its name. In addition to that, Siri does everything else too- right from running a Google search to playing your favorite music and much more.

This macOS can also be synced to the Apple Watch, which lets you unlock your Mac as soon as you are near it. With seamless syncing to all your Apple devices, there is little that the macOS Sierra leaves to the imagination. All these features are sure to make anyone want the latest macOS Sierra. Let us go ahead and see how you can go about upgrading to it.

Before Updating to macOS Sierra

Before updating your Mac to Sierra, it is important to backup your hard drive. While Macs and their Operating Systems are highly stable, backing up before you update is a precaution that you must take in case something happens. For backing up and restoring your Mac, the best option is the Time Machine. This tool, which is pre-installed in Mac OS, can be used to backup your data to an external hard drive. You can even use iCloud for storing your photos, music, and other data as a backup.

You will require at least 2GB of RAM along with a minimum of 8.8 GB of space in your hard drive. To check your Mac’s model, storage information, memory, and OS version, you just have to go to the Apple Menu and click on ‘About This Mac’. You will need at least OS X Lion v10.7 to get Mac OS X Sierra.

How to install macOS Sierra

Now that you know all the amazing things that the MacOS offers, and what you should do before getting it, it is time to move on to the real topic. Before you begin upgrading to macOS Sierra, you should have your Mac backup as detailed earlier. You will also need your Apple ID as well as password. There are 2 ways to go about getting MacOS Sierra- one is a direct upgrade for those use OSX Lion 10.7.5 or later. The other way is for those who are running an older version of OS X, such as OS X Leopard or OS X Snow Leopard.

1. Upgrading from 10.7.5 or later

Visiting from MacOS 10.7.5 or a later version is free, and very easy. First, you have to go to the Mac OS Sierra page on the Apple website. Ensure that you are opening this webpage from your Mac that is running OS 10.7.5 or later. You can also go to the Apple Icon located at the left corner of the desktop, go to the App Store, and then click on Featured to get the macOS Sierra option.

Once you click on the Download button, macOS Sierra will begin downloading on your system. The total size of this download is around 5 GB, and it may take an hour or two depending on Apple’s servers as well as the speed of your internet connection.

When the download completes, you can begin installing. Click on the Continue button on this screen, and follow the steps ahead. From the screen where you are asked to select a destination drive, select Macintosh HD, which your default hard disk. You will also be asked for passwords at this point, so ensure that you have them handy.

The installer will do everything on its own. Your system may restart numerous times during the installation. Once done, your Mac will be running on macOS Sierra. You can check this under the ‘About This Mac’ Tab. From here on, you can enter your iCloud credentials and tweak the Mac to get everything right. will also take care of a few tasks in the background, during which functions like Mail or Spotlight may not be as fast as earlier. Just give it a few minutes to let the process conclude.

In case you quit the installer and do not continue, then you can resume the process from the same point too. You will find a file named “Install macOS Sierra” in the Application’s folder or Launchpad.

2. Updating from an Older Version

In case you are using an older version of the OSX, will first have to update to a later one. For those running on the OS X Leopard on a system that supports macOS Sierra, the first thing that you have to do is update it to OS X Snow Leopard. However, the upgrade will not be free for you- since you will first have to pay to get OS X 10.6.

Once you have purchased and installed Mac OS X Snow Leopard, you can follow the same steps as highlighted earlier to get the Mac OS Sierra on your system. The upgrade will not cost you anything from here on- since you only have to pay to get Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Installing Mac OS Sierra from this point will not require any purchases, as described in the method earlier.

If you have already purchased or downloaded El Capitan, Mavericks, or any other version of the OS X, then it will be available under the ‘Purchased tab’ in your store.

Thus, with these steps, you will soon be running the amazing macOS Sierra on your system. In case you run into any issues, there are a lot of troubleshooting steps here on the Apple community. The entire process is simple enough, and apart from a few clicks, you will not have to do anything else. Just ensure that you back up your Mac before starting- and the macOS Sierra installer will take care of the rest for you!

Apple has today announced that it is rebranding its desktop operating system from OS X to macOS and previewed some of the major features of macOS Sierra, which will ship this fall.

As expected, Siri has finally made its way onto the Mac, with specific capabilities built for the desktop. After launching Siri (from the Dock, menu bar, or keyboard), Siri can search for information and find files as instructed. Also, as demoed by Craig Federighi onstage, you can drag and drop items from Siri search results into documents or email.

Alongside Siri, Apple has added the ability to access documents saved on your Mac from your iPhone, iPad or PC. If saved on the desktop or in the Documents folder, these files can be accessed through the iCloud Drive app.

Continuity has also been improved with Universal Clipboard: Copy text, an image, or a video onto your iPhone, and you can paste it onto your Mac or iPad, and vice versa. Navigation has also improved with Tabs, a feature Apple added to Mac apps that supports windows and third-party apps.

In line with previous reports, Apple has also announced Apple Pay for the Web: In countries where Apple Pay is available, users of the mobile payments service will see an Apple Pay button on e-commerce sites. To finalize a purchase, users will need to use Touch ID on the iPhone or use an Apple Watch.

MacOS Sierra brings a new (highlighted) feature to Photos, Memories, which is actually a curated collection of occasions. Additional macOS features briefly mentioned in the two-hour keynote are Auto Unlock, Optimized Storage (will free up space on your Mac by moving items to the cloud), and an improved Messages.

Starting with macOS Sierra, Apple is using technology called Differential Privacy to help discover the usage patterns of a large number of users without compromising individual privacy. In macOS Sierra, this technology will help improve autocorrect suggestions and Lookup Hints in Notes.

When you use a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch, you’re able to do incredible things. And when you use them together, you can do so much more. Make and receive phone calls without picking up your iPhone. Use your iPad to extend the workspace of your Mac. Automatically unlock your Mac when you’re wearing your Apple Watch. And copy and paste images, video, and text from your iPhone or iPad to your nearby Mac, or vice versa.

Sidecar Extend your desktop.
With iPad.

Sidecar lets you extend your workspace by using your iPad as a second Mac display. Work in one app while you reference another or view your main canvas on one display while spreading out your tools and palettes on the other. You can also mirror the screens so they both display the same content, making it perfect for sharing exactly what you see with others.

Express your creativity. With Apple Pencil. Sidecar also brings the ease and precision of Apple Pencil to your favorite creative Mac apps. Use Apple Pencil to design in Illustrator, edit photos in Affinity Photo, or create 3D models in ZBrush. Simply drag your content to your iPad to get started. The handy sidebar even puts essential Command, Control, and Shift keys right at your fingertips.

Continuity Markup and Sketch Draw with your Apple Pencil.
Or finger.

Continuity Markup lets you sign documents, correct papers, or circle important details in images. Use your Apple Pencil on iPad or your finger on iPhone and see updates live on your Mac. And Continuity Sketch lets you create a sketch on your iPad or iPhone that automatically inserts into any document on your Mac.

SMS More ways to get your message across.

With a Mac and iPhone, you can send and receive SMS text messages — the ones in green bubbles — right from your Mac. All the messages that appear on your iPhone appear on your Mac, too, so all your conversations are up to date on all your devices. And when friends text you — regardless of what phone they have — you can respond from your Mac or your iPhone, whichever is closest. 1 You can also start an SMS or iMessage conversation on your Mac by clicking a phone number in Safari, Contacts, Calendar, or Spotlight.

Phone Mac, now answering the call.

Take iPhone calls right on your Mac, Apple Watch, or iPad. You can answer a call or dial a new one while your iPhone is buried in your backpack or is charging in another room. Just click or tap to accept the call, and say hello. 2

Receiving calls. When a call comes to your iPhone, you can answer the call on your Mac, Apple Watch, or iPad. You’ll get a notification showing you the caller’s name, number, and profile picture. You’ll also hear a ringtone — the same ringtone you have for that person on your iPhone. Click the notification to answer, and your Mac becomes a speakerphone, so you can have a phone conversation while you continue what you’re doing.

Making calls. Making a phone call from your Mac is as easy as receiving one. You can click any phone number you see in Contacts, Calendar, Messages, Spotlight, or Safari to dial a call. You can even start a call from your FaceTime call history or enter the digits on your keyboard.

Continuity Camera Scan or shoot right to your Mac.

Use your iPhone to shoot a nearby object or scan a document and have it automatically appear on your Mac. Just choose Insert a Photo from the File menu, then choose Take Photo or Scan Documents. Take a photo of something on your desk and instantly see it in your Pages document. Or scan a receipt, and a straightened version is immediately available in the Finder as a PDF. Continuity Camera works in the Finder, Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. It’s another way iPhone and Mac just click.

Auto Unlock Log in before you even settle in.

Automatically log in to your Mac when you’re wearing your Apple Watch. No password typing required. Need to take a quick call or step away? Get right back to work when you return.

Handoff Start it here. Finish it there.

Say you start writing an email on your iPhone, but you want to finish it on your Mac. Or you start writing a report on your iMac, but want to continue on your iPad as you head to your meeting. Handoff makes it possible. When your Mac, iOS, or iPadOS devices are near each other, they can automatically pass what you’re doing from one device to another. 3 An icon representing the last app you were using will appear on your second device — in the Dock on your Mac or iPad or in the App Switcher on your iPhone. Just click or tap to pick up right where you left off without having to search for the file. Handoff works with Mail, Safari, Notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Maps, Messages, Reminders, Calendar, and Contacts. And app developers can easily build Handoff into their apps.

Universal Clipboard Copy on one device. Paste on another.

Copy images, video, or text from an app on your iPhone or iPad. Then paste into another app on your nearby Mac — or vice versa. There are no extra steps. Just copy and paste as you normally do. Find a great recipe while browsing on your Mac? Paste the ingredients right to the grocery list on your iPhone or iPad. You can even copy and paste entire files between two Mac systems.

AirDrop Sharing files has never been easier.

AirDrop makes sharing files between Mac and iOS or iPadOS devices simple. With just a few clicks on your Mac, you can take a file from any folder and use AirDrop to send it to a nearby Mac, iPhone, or iPad. And since AirDrop is peer to peer, it works without a Wi-Fi network. It’s perfect for, say, sharing a document with a coworker in the next room or sending a presentation to a client across the table. You can use AirDrop to send files from the Share menu in your apps or from the Finder. Recipients will receive a notification, which they can simply click or tap to download the file.

Apple Pay The simplest and safest way to pay online.

It’s easy to pay when shopping on the web using Apple Pay in Safari. Just look for Apple Pay on your favorite shopping sites, then complete your purchase with Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad. You can also use Touch ID on MacBook Pro or MacBook Air or double‑click the side button on your Apple Watch. Your credit card details are never shared when you use Apple Pay, and your transactions are protected with industry-leading security.

Instant Hotspot Just like that, you’re online.

No Wi-Fi? No problem. With Instant Hotspot, your Mac can remotely activate the Personal Hotspot on your iPhone when they are near each other. 4 Simply select your iPhone from the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac and you’ll be online in seconds. You can even leave your iPhone in your pocket or bag. When connected to your Personal Hotspot, your Mac displays the signal strength and battery life of your iPhone at the top of the Wi-Fi menu. After you finish browsing, the hotspot automatically deactivates to preserve battery life. The next time you want to get online and there’s no Wi-Fi, your Mac will ask you if you want to use your hotspot again. Just click OK to get online.

Resources

Use Handoff to continue a task on your other devices.

Use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between your Apple devices.

Make and receive calls on your Mac, iPad, or iPod touch.

How to forward text messages on your iPhone.

Use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot without entering a password.

Save space by storing your content in iCloud or using built-in tools to find and remove large or unneeded files.

The Optimized Storage features of your Mac help you save storage space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand:

• When storage space is needed, files, photos, movies, email attachments, and other files that you seldom use are stored in iCloud automatically.
• Each file stays right where you last saved it, and downloads when you open it.
• Files that you’ve used recently remain on your Mac, along with optimized versions of your photos.

If you haven’t yet upgraded to macOS Sierra or later, learn about other ways to free up storage space.

Find out how much storage is available on your Mac

Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, then click Storage. Each segment of the bar is an estimate of the storage space used by a category of files. Move your pointer over each segment for more detail.

Click the Manage button to open the Storage Management window, pictured below.

Manage storage on your Mac

The Storage Management window offers recommendations for optimizing your storage. If some recommendations are already turned on, you will see fewer recommendations.

Store in iCloud

Click the Store in iCloud button, then choose from these options:

• Desktop and Documents. Store all files from these two locations in iCloud Drive. When storage space is needed, only the files you recently opened are kept on your Mac, so that you can easily work offline. Files stored only in iCloud show a download icon , which you can double-click to download the original file. Learn more about this feature.
• Photos. Store all original, full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud Photos. When storage space is needed, only space-saving (optimized) versions of photos are kept on your Mac. To download the original photo or video, just open it.
• Messages. Store all messages and attachments in iCloud. When storage space is needed, only the messages and attachments you recently opened are kept on your Mac. Learn more about Messages in iCloud.

Storing files in iCloud uses the storage space in your iCloud storage plan. If you reach or exceed your iCloud storage limit, you can either buy more iCloud storage or make more iCloud storage available. iCloud storage starts at 50GB for $0.99 (USD) a month, and you can purchase additional storage directly from your Apple device. Learn more about prices in your region.

Optimize Storage

Click the Optimize button to save space by automatically removing watched movies and TV shows. When storage space is needed, movies or TV shows that you purchased from Apple and already watched are removed from your Mac. Click the download icon next to a movie or TV show to download it again.

Your Mac will also save space by keeping only recent email attachments on this Mac when storage space is needed. You can manually download any attachments at any time by opening the email or attachment, or saving the attachment to your Mac.

Optimizing storage for movies, TV shows, and email attachments doesn’t require iCloud storage space.

Empty Trash Automatically

Empty Trash Automatically permanently deletes files that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.

Reduce Clutter

Reduce Clutter helps you identify large files and files you might no longer need. Click the Review Files button, then choose any of the file categories in the sidebar, such as Applications, Documents, Music Creation, or Trash.

You can delete the files in some categories directly from this window. Other categories show the total storage space used by the files in each app. You can then open the app and decide whether to delete files from within it.

Where to find the settings for each feature

The button for each recommendation in the Storage Management window affects one or more settings in other apps. You can also control those settings directly within each app.

• If you’re using macOS Catalina or later, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar: Store in iCloud turns on the Optimize Mac Storage setting on the right. To turn off iCloud Drive entirely, deselect iCloud Drive.
• If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Options next to iCloud Drive. Store in iCloud turns on the Desktop & Documents Folders and Optimize Mac Storage settings.
• In Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud. Store in iCloud selects iCloud Photos and Optimize Mac Storage.
• In Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. Store in iCloud selects Enable Messages in iCloud.

• If you’re using macOS Catalina or later, open the Apple TV app, choose TV > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Files. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
• In you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes, choose iTunes > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Advanced. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
• In Mail, choose Mail > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Accounts. In the Account Information section on the right, Optimize Storage sets the Download Attachments menu to either Recent or None.

Empty Trash Automatically: From the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Advanced. Empty Trash Automatically selects “Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.”

Other ways that macOS helps automatically save space

With macOS Sierra or later, your Mac automatically takes these additional steps to save storage space:

• Detects duplicate downloads in Safari, keeping only the most recent version of the download
• Reminds you to delete used app installers
• Removes old fonts, languages, and dictionaries that aren’t being used
• Clears caches, logs, and other unnecessary data when storage space is needed

How to free up storage space manually

Even without using the Optimized Storage features described in this article, you can take other steps to make more storage space available:

Don’t call it OS X anymore, and if you do, Siri will probably correct you. Apple unveiled on Monday at its 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference that the Mac operating system is now called macOS, and the next version will feature the Siri vocal interface and digital assistant.

Siri is the headline feature in what will be macOS Sierra. As had been rumored, a new Siri icon will be accessible in the Dock; clicking on it will launch a Siri window that iOS users will be familiar with. (Siri can also be activated using a keyboard shortcut.) During the macOS Siri demo at WWDC, Apple VP Craig Federighi used Siri to find files and followed up the search to refine the results. Federighi also showed how Siri results can be integrated into other Apple apps, such as Reminders.

While Federighi announced a third-party iOS developer kit for Siri, no mention of third-party Mac app access for Siri was mentioned.

OS X becomes macOS

Federighi kicked off the Mac section of the keynote by revealing the name change, explaining how the “OS X” moniker seems dated next to the names of Apple’s other operating systems (iOS, watchOS, and tvOS).

The “macOS” name harkens back to the pre-OS X days when Apple called its operating system Mac OS. “Mac OS” was used up to version 9; then Apple switched to OS X with version 10 in 2001. Obviously, Apple changed the Mac OS name with the modern formatting convention that uses lowercase for the specific platform and no space between the platform name and “OS.”

7 other new features

macOS Sierra has several new features and Apple showcased eight of them during the WWDC keynote. In addition to Siri, Apple highlighted these seven other features.

Apple Pay When you’re shopping online, you can use Apple Pay to pay for your purchases using an Apple Pay button. To authenticate the transaction you’re performing on your Mac, you’ll need to use an iPhone or Apple Watch.

Auto Unlock Sick of typing in your password to unlock your Mac? If you have an Apple Watch, you can use Auto Unlock. When you want to unlock your Mac, Auto Unlock senses your Apple Watch and instantly grants you access to your Mac.

iCloud Drive Desktop access Mac users often use the Desktop as a place to save files. If you use multiple Macs, macOS Sierra will allow iCloud Drive access to those desktop files on a specific Mac. This feature will also allow iOS devices to access those Desktop files.

Optimized Storage Apple, for the most part, has phased out hard drives in its Macs in favor of flash storage. But in order to keep costs down, flash storage capacities aren’t as spacious. With Optimized Storage, older files are kept in the cloud to free up local storage space. The feature also gets rid of files that you will never use again. During the keynote, Federighi showed a Mac with 20GB of free storage space; after running Optimized Storage, the amount of free space expanded to 150GB.

Picture in Picture If you’re watching a web video, you can pull it out into its own stand-alone window. When you switch to another app window, the video window stays on top.

Tabs Tabs are now built into every window of the operating system to help keep down the screen clutter. Tabs can also be used by third-party apps.

Universal Clipboard A clipboard that is accessible by any Apple device. Cut or copy on your iPhone and you can paste on your Mac.

Photos

Apple also updated Photos for Mac with new features. A new Memories tab appears along with the Photos, Shared, Albums, and Projects tab. In Memories, Photos for Mac automatically makes slideshows and collections of photos based on events, people, places, and more.

The company also says that Photos for Mac will have improved facial recognition, a world map where you can display your pictures, and search based on objects and scenery.

A developer preview of macOS Sierra is new available to members of Apple’s Developer program. A public beta will be available in July and users can sign up for it online. Apple says the final version of macOS Sierra will be released in the fall. Learn more about macOS Sierra on Apple’s preview site.

For the first time since Apple released OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion in July 2012, Apple has dropped support for a number of older Macs that had supported OS X 10.8 through 10.11 El Capitan. No MacBook and iMac models prior to Late 2009 and no MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models prior to 2010 are officially supported by macOS Sierra, although workarounds have been developed for most unsupported 2008 and 2009 Macs.

Mac OS X is no longer being called OS X, and Apple is not promoting Sierra with a version number either (however, it is internally identified as OS X 10.12). Now it’s simply macOS Sierra – in keeping with iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

macOS Sierra was released on Sept. 20, 2016 and officially requires a supported Mac with at least 2 GB of system memory and 8.8 GB of available storage space. (We recommend at least 4 GB of RAM.)

Officially Supported Macs

All Late 2009 and later MacBook and iMac models are supported in macOS Sierra, as are all 2010 and newer MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro computers.

Hacking macOS Sierra for Unsupported Macs

Hardware requirements for macOS Sierre include a CPU with SSE4.1, so it cannot be run on any Mac with a CPU prior to the Penryn Core 2 Duo. In theory, it should be possible to get Sierra running on any Penryn or later Mac. It may be possible to swap out the Merom CPU in some Macs for a Penryn, which would then allow Sierra to run.

Sierra can run with 4 GB of system memory, but as with all recent versions of OS X, more memory will allow it to run even better.

Colin Mistr has published a macOS Sierra Patch Tool, which currently allows you to install and run macOS Sierra on the following officially unsupported hardware:

or later or later or later or later or later or later

Note: If you have the Early 2009 Mac Pro and have installed the firmware update patch so it identifies itself as MacPro5,1, you can run the standard installer. You do not need the patch tool.

You will need a USB drive 8 GB or larger and Mistr’s patch tool, which is linked on his page. WiFi does not function on these unsupported systems if they have the Broadcom BCM4321 WiFi module:

and Mid 2009 MacBook Air and Mid 2008 MacBook Pro

New Features

Siri comes to the Mac with macOS Sierra.

macOS Sierra can automatically sync all files on your Desktop and in your Documents folder with other Macs running Sierra. You can also access these files in your iPhone or iPad using iCloud Drive.

The new Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one device and paste on another – whether it’s a Mac with Sierra or an iPhone or iPad with iOS 10.

Tabs are almost everywhere in Sierra, and they work much as they do in your browser. Third party apps will also be able to use tabs.

Apple Pay is now part of macOS, not just iOS.

If you have an Apple Watch, Auto Unlock will authenticate you and log you in automatically when you approach your Mac.

Optimized Storage can store infrequently used files in iCloud while keeping them immediately available any time you are online.

Availability

Apple developers can download an early pre-release version of macOS Sierra today, and a beta version will be available to users in July. The full release is scheduled for Fall 2016.