Mac OS 9

Mac OS 9 is the ninth major release of Apple's classic Mac OS operating system which was succeeded by Mac OS X (renamed to OS X in 2011 and macOS in 2016) in 2001. Introduced on October 23, 1999, it was promoted by Apple as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever", highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as iTools and improved Open Transport networking. While Mac OS 9 lacks protected memory and full pre-emptive multitasking, lasting improvements include the introduction of an automated Software Update engine and support for multiple users.

Mac OS 9
Version of the classic Mac OS operating system


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Developer:
Apple Computer

OS family:
Macintosh

Working state:
Historic, not supported

Source model:
Closed source

Released to
manufacturing:
October 23, 1999; 23 years ago

Latest release:
9.2.2 / December 5, 2001; 21 years ago

Kernel type:
Nanokernel

License:
Proprietary

Preceded by
Mac OS 8

Succeeded by
Mac OS X 10.0
Mac OS X Public Beta

Official website
Apple - Products - Mac OS 9

Tagline:
Your Internet co-pilot.

Support status:
Historical, unsupported as of February 1, 2002

Apple discontinued development of Mac OS 9 in late 2001, transitioning all future development to Mac OS X. The final updates to Mac OS 9 addressed compatibility issues with Mac OS X while running in the Classic Environment and compatibility with Carbon applications. At the 2002 Worldwide Developers Conference, Steve Jobs began his keynote address by staging a mock funeral for OS 9.