The first beta of macOS Sierra was released to developers shortly following the 2016 WWDC keynote on June 13, 2016. The first public-beta release followed on July 7, 2016. It was released to end users on September 20, 2016, as a free upgrade through the Mac App Store. Dec 20, 2018 - Yet, it wasn't until September 12 that Apple revealed that the full release of High Sierra would launch little more than a week later, on September 25.

The updated browser, for example, blocks social media buttons or embedded content from tracking cross-site browsing without permission, and makes it harder for advertisers to identify individual Macs. It will also suggest strong passwords when creating or updating an account, and can flag reused ones. Extensions are a particular focus, since the update ends support for legacy items that haven't been reviewed by Apple, along with 'most' NPAPI (Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) plugins. The software will further disable extensions that are hurting performance.

Other security-related touches include the option to block or allow popups on a per-site basis, and miscellaneous vulnerability fixes. Finally users can now see a website's icon in each tab, making it less confusing to switch. The updated browser is available through the Software Update tool at the Mac App Store.

Safari 12 will come pre-installed with macOS Mojave, which. That upgrade will include features like Stacks, enhanced Quick Look functions, and Mac ports of iOS apps including Home, News, Stocks, and Voice Memos.

The much-awaited macOS Sierra update will finally roll out on Tuesday, Sept. 20, homepage revealed.

It can be noted that even before the Sept. 7 event, Apple has unveiled its newest desktop operating system in advance at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2016 event in June. Back then, however, the tech giant did not reveal when it is going to come out. Apple will roll out the OS for desktops without any charge. However, it can only be downloaded by selected computers. It is only compatible for MacBooks that are released since 2009, MacBrook Pros released since mid-2010, MacBook Airs that came out since late 2010, Mac minis that came out not later than mid-2010, iMac computers released not later than 2009, and Mac Pro computers since mid-2010. The minimum spec requirements for the macOS Sierra include 10.7.5 OSX installed, 2 GB of RAM, and 8.8 GB available internal storage.

Among the features that the macOS Sierra boasts of is the addition of Siri. Ever since the release of the intelligent personal assistant software in 2011, this is the first time that Apple integrated Siri to its computer lines. Through Siri, users can send messages, search files, play music, and know the local time and weather. For users who seem to run out of space, the Sierra update comes with an optimization of the iCloud Drive. Users will have better experience in uploading and downloading files from the online storage, which can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Apple has also added the Universal Clipboard feature that enables the users to copy-paste from one Apple device to another.

In downloading the new OS, users should not forget to do a system backup, in case something goes wrong with the installation.