macOS is Apple Inc.’s operating system for Mac computers, responsible for managing hardware, running applications, and providing the user interface through which users interact with the device. It is designed specifically for Apple hardware, allowing close integration between the operating system and components such as processors, storage, graphics, and peripherals.
The operating system is built on a UNIX-based foundation known as Darwin, which provides core features such as multitasking, memory management, file permissions, and networking. On top of this foundation, macOS delivers a graphical desktop environment, built-in applications, and a robust application framework for third-party software.
macOS includes modern system features such as APFS file system support, strong security mechanisms (including application sandboxing and system integrity protections), and regular software updates delivered directly by Apple. It also integrates with Apple’s wider ecosystem, enabling features like iCloud syncing, AirDrop, and cross-device continuity with iPhones and iPads.