List of built-in macOS apps
This is a list of built-in apps and system components developed by Apple for macOS that come bundled by default or are installed through a system update. Many of the default programs found on macOS have counterparts on Apple's other operating systems, most often on iOS and iPadOS.
Apple has also included versions of iWork, iMovie, and GarageBand for free with new device activations since 2013. However, these programs are maintained independently from the operating system itself. Similarly, Xcode is offered for free on the Mac App Store and receives updates independently of the operating system despite being tightly integrated.
Applications
App Store
The Mac App Store is macOS's digital distribution platform for macOS apps, created and maintained by Apple based on the iOS version, the platform was announced on October 20, 2010, at Apple's "Back to the Mac" event. First launched on January 6, 2011, as part of the free Mac OS X 10.6.6 update for all current Snow Leopard users, Apple began accepting app submissions from registered developers on November 3, 2010, in preparation for its launch. After 24 hours of release, Apple announced that there were over one million downloads.Automator
Automator is an app used to create workflows for automating repetitive tasks into batches for quicker alteration via point-and-click. This saves time and effort over human intervention to manually change each file separately. Automator enables the repetition of tasks across a wide variety of programs, including Finder, Safari, Calendar, Contacts and others. It can also work with third-party applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop or Pixelmator.Books
Books, previously known as iBooks, is an eBook reading application first released with OS X Mavericks. It allows users to read and purchase digital books, as well as listen to audiobooks. Reading goals can be set which encourage users to read for an amount of time each day.Calculator
Calculator is a basic calculator application made by Apple and bundled with macOS. It has three modes: basic, scientific, and programmer. Basic includes a number pad, buttons for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, as well as memory keys. Scientific mode supports exponents and trigonometric functions, and programmer mode gives the user access to more options related to computer programming.The Calculator program has a long history going back to the very beginning of the Macintosh platform, where a simple four-function calculator program was a standard desk accessory from the earliest system versions. Though no higher math capability was included, third-party developers provided upgrades, and Apple released the Graphing Calculator application with the first PowerPC release of the Mac OS, and it was a standard component through Mac OS 9. Apple currently ships a different application called Grapher.
Calculator has Reverse Polish notation support, and can also speak the buttons pressed and result returned.
Calendar
Calendar, previously known as iCal before OS X Mountain Lion, is a personal calendar app made by Apple, originally released as a free download for Mac OS X v10.2 on September 10, 2002, before being bundled with the operating system as iCal 1.5 with the release of Mac OS X v10.3. It tracks events and appointments added by the user and includes various holidays depending on the location the device is set to as well as birthdays from contacts. Users are also able to subscribe to other calendars from friends or third-parties.iCal was the first calendar application for Mac OS X to offer support for multiple calendars and the ability to intermittently publish/subscribe to calendars on WebDAV servers. Calendar also offers online cloud backup of calendars using Apple's iCloud service, or it can synchronize with other calendar services, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange Server.
Chess
Chess is a 3D chess game for macOS, developed by Apple as a fork of GNOME Chess. Its history dates back to OpenStep and Mac OS X 10.2. It supports chess variants such as crazyhouse and losing chess. Apple redistributes the source code under its own Apple Sample Code License, after a special permission has been granted from the original authors of GNOME Chess. Apple also ships the game with the Sjeng chess engine.Clock
Clock is a timekeeping app first made available in MacOS Ventura. It allows users to view the current time in locations around the world, set alarms and timers, and use their phone as a stopwatch. Alarms and timers will play a chime once completed, which the user can choose from their ringtone library.Contacts
Contacts, previously known as Address Book before OS X Mountain Lion, is a computerized address book. Contacts can be synchronized over iCloud and other online address book services and allows for the storage of names, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, job titles, birthdays, and social media usernames.Dictionary
Dictionary is an application introduced with OS X 10.4 that provides definitions and synonyms from various sources, serving as a built-in dictionary and thesaurus. The program also includes definitions for a list of Apple-related terms as well as access to Wikipedia articles. Dictionary supports several languages and currently provides American-English definitions from the ''New Oxford American Dictionary and Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus.''FaceTime
FaceTime is a videotelephony app introduced in Mac OS X 10.6.6, replacing the video and audio calling functionality of iChat on Mac. Users can also make standard phone calls through the FaceTime app if a connected iPhone under the same Apple ID is nearby. In 2018, Apple added group video and audio support to FaceTime which can support up to 32 people alongside the release of MacOS Mojave.With the release of MacOS Monterey, Apple introduced a feature called SharePlay, which allows users to simultaneously watch videos, listen to music together, or share their display.