macOS 10.13 High Sierra - Everything you need to know!

The Mac operating system macOS High Sierra with version number 10.13 was released by Apple in September 2017. Before that, there was a test phase in which Beta versions have been tested and improved; this started in June 2017 with the WWDC17. Although macOS 10.13 High Sierra introduced a few innovations and improved some system content, it was not a completely renewed Mac operating system. As the name itself suggests, this builds on the previous system and extends it a bit - that was macOS 10.12 Sierra. Newly introduced were APFS, HEVC, HEIF and improvements for some apps.

What's new in macOS 10.13 High Sierra?

One of the biggest changes in fall 2017 was that with the new system for Apple computers, the APFS file system was set as the standard for SSD storage. It was previously introduced with macOS 10.12 Sierra but not set as the default. The expansion to fusion drives also came with it macOS 10.14 Mojave. So macOS High Sierra is a kind of intermediate stage between the introduction of Apple's own file system and the end of 32-bit applications. Details can be found here: Apple File System – APFS file system.

with the previous system the voice assistant Siri also came to the Mac. She now got a more natural voice and from autumn 2017 it was possible to choose whether queries could be entered by voice or by typing. In addition, it was now possible to set more individually which apps and content Siri was actually allowed to use. Speaking of Apps: The new system made it possible for the first time to use tables in the Notes app and to pin individual notes to make them easier to find. Changes that are indispensable today.

Image and video content also received a boost. The so-called High Efficiency Video Coding made it possible to encode and decode video content in HEVC format. In addition, the handling of the then relatively new codec H.265 was made possible - as well as the handling of MPEG-H Part 2. With regard to photos and images, the HEVC counterpart was introduced: HEIC. For details on how to use and convert HEIC photos on iPhone, see here: Turn on/off HEIC format for photos on iPhone (+ convert on Mac).

Safari always gets a few additional functions and uses. macOS High Sierra introduced autoplay content blocking. The Messages app has been restricted to iMessage, so AIM and Hello belonged to the past. In the Mail app, on the other hand, the toolbar and the search function have been improved. The Photos app has also got a few more features for editing photos. A new sidebar has also been added for better navigation. Last but not least, it became possible to import content from the iCloud Drive via the Finder to share.

Here is more information about macOS 10.13 High Sierra for the Apple Mac:

These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra

Since this system could still handle 32-bit applications, had nothing to do with "Apple Silicon" chips and did not yet fully use APFS as a file system, the list of compatible Mac models was large. Despite the release in 2017 and the updates of the system until 2020 (latest version: 10.13.6 from November 2020), Mac, iMac, MacBook and other computer models from 2009 and 2010 are compatible:

  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (mid 2010 or later)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (mid 2010 or newer)

Download macOS High Sierra and create a boot stick

If you want to download macOS 10.13 High Sierra then you can find the system for compatible Mac computers among others with this link in the official App Store. The 4,8 GB download requires a Mac with a 64-bit Intel chip and at least macOS 10.8 as the previously installed system version. You can completely reinstall macOS High Sierra with a boot stick, not as an upgrade or downgrade of an existing system. This is quick and easy if you download the installer and create the bootable copy on a USB stick ANYmacOS realized. The free app helps you with boot sticks for macOS versions from macOS 10.13.

Buy macOS 10.13 High Sierra Boot Stick

If you need to buy a USB stick anyway to make the macOS High Sierra boot stick, then another option would be to buy a ready-made bootable USB stick. One of these is currently available from Amazon for 16,99 euros, and even with Prime shipping. Here you come to the offer including detailed product description and reviews.

DS Systems Installation Boot Stick Compatible with MacOS 10.13 High Sierra OS X Bootable Bootable...
  • Comes with detailed but easy to understand step-by-step instructions. Completely in German.
  • With this DS Systems USB (Type-A) boot stick it is possible to carry out a complete new installation on, for example, a...
  • Always check the system requirements beforehand. If in doubt, you can check compatibility...

macOS High Sierra Wallpaper - Download desktop background in high resolution

Every new operating system for Apple computers gets its own wallpaper. This desktop background ensures that you can recognize the new version at first glance. If you also want to use the fall recording of High Sierra on other systems or on a Windows PC, you will find a download source in this post where you will find high-resolution versions of the images. The various desktop images, which by the way show certain landscapes and regions in California starting with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, are available at 512pixels.

At 512pixels you will find all standard backgrounds from Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah and 10.1 Puma. And these aren't pixelated screenshots of old iBooks, but 5K and 6K versions that look great even on the very latest high-resolution displays. Up to High Sierra there is only one image each, from Mojave onwards there is one image for the light mode and one for the dark mode. Away macOS 11 BigSur there are four images, since the transition to the new systems with photos and digital creations was heralded there. The way to the Mac wallpaper collection of 512pixels can be found with this link.

macOS High Sierra manuals and guides

Here in the Sir Apfelot blog you have been finding numerous instructions, guides, assistance, tips and tricks for the current operating system for several years. In addition to the Mac, it is also regularly about the iPhone, the iPad, the Apple Watch and a lot more. However, if you don't want to start a search query on our site for every topic, you can buy instructions and manuals for macOS 10.13 online. They are still available on Amazon, where you can order them cheaply.

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The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de

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In the Sir Apfelot Blog you will find advice, instructions and reviews on Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini and Mac Studio.