Last Updated: February 25, 2016
·
484
· janosgyerik

Find your OS X version using the command line

Using the command line is always faster than going through graphical menus and windows with mouse clicks.

To find my OS X version using graphical tools,
I have to move the mouse to the top left corner to the apple menu,
which is not an ergonomic movement with a touchpad.
Then click on the apple,
select About This Mac, and click.

So much easier using the command line,
especially when my hand is already on the keyboard:

$ sw_vers
ProductName:    Mac OS X
ProductVersion: 10.9.4
BuildVersion:   13E28

To get even more details:

$ system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType
Software:

    System Software Overview:

      System Version: OS X 10.9.4 (13E28)
      Kernel Version: Darwin 13.3.0
      Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
      Boot Mode: Normal
      Computer Name: kronos
      User Name: Janos Gyerik (janos)
      Secure Virtual Memory: Enabled
      Time since boot: 25 days 14:19