![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Mac-1024x619.png\")
<\/p>\nIn Troubleshooting 101, one of the first questions is always, \u201cWhat version of the operating system are you running?\u201d There\u2019s a big difference between Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and macOS 10.13 High Sierra, and the solution to any particular problem will likely revolve around knowing what operating system is in play.<\/p>\n
The same is true of Apple\u2019s other operating systems: iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. And, although they aren\u2019t quite in the same category, Apple\u2019s AirPods and HomePod both have system software that can be updated as well.<\/p>\n
For the next time you\u2019re experiencing a problem, here\u2019s how to find the version of each of Apple\u2019s operating systems.<\/p>\n
On the Mac, click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen and choose About This Mac. A window opens, displaying the name (macOS High Sierra shown here) and version (10.13.4) of the running version of macOS.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Every now and then, it can be important to learn the build number too\u2014it\u2019s one step more specific than the version number. A new Mac may have a different build number of the same version of macOS, for instance, or Apple may push out a silent security update that changes the build number. To find the build number, simply click the version number\u2014the six-character build number (17E202) appears in parentheses, as above.<\/p>\n
On an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you find the version number in Settings > General > About. Scan down the screen until you see the Version line, which tells you both the version of iOS and the build number.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-iPhone-685x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n
There are two ways to find the version of watchOS running on an Apple Watch:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Apple-Watch.png\")
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Watch-app-813x1024.png\")
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBy now, you can probably guess that on an Apple TV you go to Settings > General > About to find the tvOS version. Apple is nicely consistent in this regard. That said, only the fourth-generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K run tvOS. The obsolete second- and third-generation Apple TVs are instead based on a stripped-down version of iOS, and the first-generation Apple TV is an entirely different beast yet, with its large white case and internal hard drive.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Apple-TV-1024x578.png\")
<\/p>\n
You\u2019re unlikely to need to check the version of your AirPods, but if it ever comes up, make sure the AirPods are either connected to their host iOS device or in their case with the top open. Then, on the host iOS device, go to Settings > General > About > AirPods and look for the Firmware Version line.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-AirPods.png\")
<\/p>\n
Although the HomePod shipped only recently, Apple has promised software updates that will allow two HomePods in a room to provide true stereo sound and support multi-room audio if you\u2019ve sprinkled HomePods around your house. To check the version of the HomePod software, open Apple\u2019s Home app, make sure Home is selected in the bottom toolbar, and then press and hold on the HomePod\u2019s tile until it opens. Then tap the Details button in the lower right and scroll down until you see the Version line.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-HomePod-1024x719.png\")
<\/p>\n
Social Media:<\/strong> Quick! Can you find the current operating system version for all your Apple devices? Learn how to carry out this essential troubleshooting task\u2014it\u2019s easy!<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In Troubleshooting 101, one of the first questions is always, \u201cWhat version of the operating system are you running?\u201d There\u2019s a big difference between Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and macOS 10.13 High Sierra, and the solution to any particular problem will likely revolve around knowing what operating system is in play. The same […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[187,157,193,66,39,264,67,48,52,86,196,125,271,272],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-airpods","category-apple-pros","category-apros-archive","category-article","category-blog","category-homepod","category-how-to","category-ios","category-iphone","category-macos","category-restricted-content","category-troubleshooting","category-tvos","category-watchos"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6YLEm-7fS","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27017,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/when-should-you-upgrade-to-macos-10-13-high-sierra-ios-11-watchos-4-and-tvos-11\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":0},"title":"When Should You Upgrade to macOS 10.13 High Sierra, iOS 11, watchOS 4, and tvOS 11?","author":"computeradv","date":"September 9, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"To every thing there is a season, and we\u2019re fast approaching the time when Apple harvests the fruit of the last year and releases new versions of macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. There are no major surprises here, since Apple announced the new versions in June and public betas have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Pros"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Pros","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-pros\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/when-should-you-upgrade-2017-high-sierra.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/when-should-you-upgrade-2017-high-sierra.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/when-should-you-upgrade-2017-high-sierra.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/when-should-you-upgrade-2017-high-sierra.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26504,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/4-new-apple-os-features-you-can-use-today\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":1},"title":"4 New Apple OS Features You Can Use Today","author":"computeradv","date":"April 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Once you\u2019ve updated to Apple\u2019s latest\u2014iOS 10.3, macOS 10.12.4, and watchOS 3.2\u2014you\u2019ll want to read this article.","rel":"","context":"In "AirPods"","block_context":{"text":"AirPods","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airpods\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Apple March 2017 OS updates","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/March-OS-release-features-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/March-OS-release-features-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/March-OS-release-features-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/March-OS-release-features-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/March-OS-release-features-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27550,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/install-minor-operating-system-updates-to-maintain-herd-immunity\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":2},"title":"Install Minor Operating System Updates to Maintain Herd Immunity","author":"computeradv","date":"February 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"It seems like Apple releases updates to iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS nearly every week these days. It has been only a few months since iOS 11 and macOS 10.13 High Sierra launched, and we\u2019ve already seen ten updates to iOS and seven updates to macOS. Some of these have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Pros"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Pros","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-pros\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Install-minor-updates.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Install-minor-updates.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Install-minor-updates.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Install-minor-updates.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1597,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/apple-previews-new-operating-system-features-at-wwdc\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":3},"title":"Apple Previews New Operating System Features at WWDC","author":"computeradv","date":"June 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This fall, Apple users can look forward to exciting new features in macOS Sierra (the new name for OS X), iOS 10, watchOS 3, and tvOS 10. Read a roundup of the major changes on our blog.","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"macOS Sierra coming this fall","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Siri-Mac.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Siri-Mac.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Siri-Mac.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Siri-Mac.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26727,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/new-apple-products-now-and-new-os-offerings-in-the-fall\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":4},"title":"New Apple products now and new OS offerings in the fall.","author":"computeradv","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple did it. Upgraded iMacs and faster MacBook Pros were among the buzz on June 5, 2017. The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the stage for Apple to excite developers and prepare the world for new product releases. They didn't disappoint. Apple relayed\u00a0six primary announcements with plenty of interesting details\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Desktop"","block_context":{"text":"Desktop","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/products\/mac\/mac-desktop\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"MacBook Pro with touchbar","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26734,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/apple-wows-at-wwdc-with-the-new-homepod-imacs-ipad-pros-and-oses\/","url_meta":{"origin":27892,"position":5},"title":"Apple Wows at WWDC with the New HomePod, iMacs, iPad Pros, and OSes","author":"computeradv","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple used the keynote address at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June to unveil new versions of macOS, iOS, and watchOS, new iMacs and faster notebooks, and new iPad Pros. In a \u201cone last thing\u201d announcement that hearkened back to the days of Steve Jobs, the company\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Watch"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Watch","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HomePod-black.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27892\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}