How to identify macOS Big Sur compatible models

macOS 11.0 Big Surアイコン
Updated : Jun 28, 2023

Introducing how to check the compatible models of “macOS 11 Big Sur” released in November 2020 by various methods such as model number and appearance.

Except for MacBook Pro, you can make a judgment only by appearance without checking the model.

July/19/2021
Fixed some mistakes in iMac compatible models.
(Incorrect)Late 2012 or later→(Correct)Mid 2014 or later
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Information on Apple official website

Apple announces compatible models of macOS with a kind of model number called “Model”.

For example, on Apple’s site, “macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers” the following “Models” are listed as Big Sur compatible models on the MacBook Air.

macOS Big Sur compatible models on MacBook Air

To summarize this page roughly, the “Models” that support Big Sur are as follows.

SeriesCombatible models
MacBook ProLate 2013 or later
MacBook AirMid 2013 or later
MacBook Early 2015 or later
iMacMid 2014 or later
iMac ProAll models
Mac miniLate 2014 or later
Mac ProLate 2013 or later

So, when checking the corresponding “Model” of macOS Big Sur like this time, it is necessary to check which “Model” it applies to.

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How to find a Big Sur compatible model

There are three ways to check

There are three ways to check the support status of Big Sur, including the method to check the “model” listed on Apple’s official website.

If you just want to know if it’s compatible with Big Sur, it’s easiest to look at the appearance of your Mac in ①.

On the other hand, the method of checking from “Model” of ② is the method announced by Apple’s official website, which is a royal road method that can also check the compatibility status of macOS other than Big Sur, and is a basic and applicable method.

Also, “EMC” in ③ seems to be an authentication number for electronic devices that generate radio waves and noise, such as personal computers, but I do not know the details.

“EMC” has almost one-to-one correspondence with “Model”, so it is an effective method when neither ① nor ② can be used, but in rare cases “EMC” may be duplicated in multiple “Models”. It is necessary to pay attention to the point.

As a concrete example of “EMC” duplication, the following figure shows different “models” of MacBook Air, and the common “EMC” is used.

In this case, both “Models” are compatible with Big Sur, so there is no actual harm when investigating Big Sur compatible models like this time, but only such things are in the corner of my head. Please put it in.

MacBook Air 11 Big Sur Compatible Models

① Check from the appearance of Mac (excluding MacBook Pro)

With the exception of the MacBook Pro, you can tell which models are compatible with Big Sur just by looking at them.

  • MacBook Air
  • iMac
  • iMac Pro
  • Mac mini
  • Mac Pro

MacBook Air

MacBook Air is compatible with Big Sur, with dual microphones on the left side from 2013 to 2017 and two USB Type C ports from 2018 or later.

MacBook Air from 2013 to 2017

MacBook Ai 2017

MacBook Air 2018 or later

MacBook Air 2020

Those with only one mic are MacBook Air pre-2012 models and are not compatible with Big Sur.

MacBook Air pre-2012

MacBook Air 2010

MacBook

MacBook 2015 – 2017

MacBook 2015

iMac

In terms of appearance, the iMac has a thinner DVD / CD drive since 2012, and this model is compatible with Big Sur.

iMac 2011 2012

iMac Pro

The iMac Pro features a black body, and although only one model has been released yet, it is compatible with Big Sur.

iMac Pro

Mac mini

Mac minis are not supported if they have a Firewire (800) port, and Big Sur if they don’t.

Mac mini 2020

Mac mini 2020

Mac mini 2018

Mac mini 2018

Mac mini 2014

Mac mini 2014

Mac mini 2012 and earlier models have a FireWire port, which is a sign that Big Sur isn’t supported.

Mac mini 2012

Mac mini 2012
FireWire(800)ポート

FireWire(800) port

Firewireロゴ

Firewire logo

Mac Pro

The 2013 black tubular model and the 2019 grater-like tower model with lots of round holes are supported.

Mac Pro 2019

Mac Pro 2019

Mac Pro 2013

Mac Pro 2013

Square tower type before 2012 is not supported.

Mac Pro 2012

Mac Pro 2012

② Check from “model”

There are two methods below.

How to checkCheck place
① Display from Apple menu
  • Mac screen running
② Search online based on “Serial number”
  • Engraved on the Mac body
  • Mac packing box sticker

①You can find out how to do this by clicking the apple mark on Apple’s menu bar and selecting “About This Mac”.

Mac menu bar "About This Mac..."
Mac menu bar "About This Mac..."

Once you know the “model” so far, please check if it supports Big Sur at the link below.

For method ②, first check the serial number stamped on the back of the Mac or the serial number on the sticker attached to the packing box.

EMC and Serial on the bottom of MacBook Air
MacBook Air梱包箱のシール

Serial number on the sticker attached to the packing box.

After checking, you can search for [model] by entering the serial number on the official Apple website below.

The figure below is a sample search result.

Check Your Service and Support Coverage

Once you know the “Model” so far, please check if it supports Big Sur at the link below.

③ Check from “EMC”

“EMC” is written near the serial number stamped on the back of the Mac.

EMC and Serial on the bottom of MacBook Air

Once you know “EMC”, please check if it supports Big Sur at the link below.

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Big Sur compatible model list

MacBook Pro

13-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)3578
2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)3348
2020MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)3456
2019MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)3301
2019MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)3358
2018MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)3214
2017MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)3163
2017MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)3164
2016MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)3071
2016MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2978
2015MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)2835
2014MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)2875
2013MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)2678
End of List

15-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2019MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)3359
2018MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)3215
2017MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)3162
2016MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)3072
2015MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)2909、2910
2014MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)2876、2881
2013MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)2674、2745
End of List

16-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2019MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)3347
End of List

MacBook Air

13-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2020MacBook Air (M1, 2020)3598
2020MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)3302
2019MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)3184
2018MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)3184
2017MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)3178
2015MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)2925
2014MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)2632
2013MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)2632
End of List

11-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2015MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)2924
2014MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)2631
2013MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)2631
End of List

MacBook

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2017MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)3099
2016MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)2991
2015MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)2746
End of List

iMac

27-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2020iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)3442
2019iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)3194
2017iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)3070
2015iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)2834
2015iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)2806
2014iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)2806
End of List

24-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2020iMac (24-inch, M1, 2020)3664, 3663
End of List

21.5-inch

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2019iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)3195
2017iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)3069
2017iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)3068
2015iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)2833
2015iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)2889
2014iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)2805
End of List

iMac Pro

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2017iMac Pro3144
End of List

Mac mini

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2020Mac mini (M1, 2020) 3569
2018Mac mini (2018)3213
2014Mac mini (Late 2014)2840
End of List

Mac Pro

発売年
Introduced
モデル
Model
EMC
2019Mac Pro (2019)3203
2019Mac Pro (ラック、2019)3413
2013Mac Pro (Late 2013)2630
End of List

This is the end of the article on this page.

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