Frequent Question: What Linux Is Mac Based on?
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You may have heard that Macintosh OSX is just Linux with a prettier interface. That’s not actually true. But OSX is built in part on an open source Unix derivative called FreeBSD. And until recently, FreeBSD’s co-founder Jordan Hubbard served as director of Unix technology at Apple.

Is macOS based off of Linux?

Mac OS X is not Linux and is not built on Linux. The OS is built on a Free BSD UNIX but with a different kernel and device drivers. You can get access to the UNIX command line thru the terminal window – very very handy. Many familiar UNIX apps and utilities are available.

Is macOS based on UNIX or Linux?

macOS is a UNIX 03-compliant operating system certified by The Open Group. It has been since 2007, starting with MAC OS X 10.5. The only exception was Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, but compliance was regained with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

David Miller

David Miller

Executive Financial & Market Analyst

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.

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