[macOS] `macos-latest` YAML-label will use `macos-15` in August 2025

[ijunaidm1]

Breaking changes

macos-15 is ready to be the default version for the macos-latest label in GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps.

Target date

This change will be rolled out over a period of several weeks beginning of August, 4th 2025. We plan to complete the migration by August 30th 2025.

The motivation for the changes

GitHub Actions have supported macos-15 in preview mode since Sept 2024, and starting from April, 10th 2025 macos-15 is generally available for all customers. Azure DevOps have supported macos-15 in preview mode since March 18th, 2025. We have monitored customer feedback to improve the macos-15 image stability and now we are ready to set it as the latest.

Possible impact

Workflows and pipelines that depend on macOS-14-specific software may stop working.

Software difference between macOS-14 and macOS-15

Tool name	macOS 14 (arm64/x64)	macOS 15 (arm64/x64)	Notes
Xcode	15.0.1 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 (default) 16.1 16.2	16.0 (default) 16.2 16.3 16.4 26.0 Beta	Base Xcode major release for macOS-15 is Xcode 16
Clang/LLVM (Xcode)	15.*	16*	Default Xcode changed to 16.0
Clang/LLVM (Homebrew)	15.*	18.*	The most recent version is installed
Node.js (default)	20.*	22.*	The most recent version is installed
Mono	6.12.*	N/A	Removed from the macOS-15 images due to maintenance reasons
NuGet	6.3.*	N/A	Removed from the macOS-15 images due to maintenance reasons
Nunit	6.15.4	N/A	Removed from the macOS-15 images due to maintenance reasons
Java	8.* (Intel only) 11.* 17.* 21.* (default)	11.* 17.* 21.* (default)	Java 8 removed from the Intel-based image to keep consistency
Android CLT	11.*	16.*	The most recent versions are installed
Android SDK Build-tools	33.0 and higher	35.0 and higher	Stale versions were deprecated due to maintenance reasons

Platforms affected

• Azure DevOps
• GitHub Actions

Runner images affected

• Ubuntu 22.04
• Ubuntu 24.04
• macOS 13
• macOS 13 Arm64
• macOS 14
• macOS 14 Arm64
• macOS 15
• macOS 15 Arm64
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2025

Mitigation ways

If you see any issues with your workflows during this transition period:

• File an issue in this repository.
• Switch back to macOS-14 by specifying the macos-14 label. We will continue to support macOS-14 for some time.

Known issues

• add "local network access" permission for macOS 15 runners #10924
• macos-15 fails on sudo security authorizationdb write com.apple.trust-settings.admin allow with error NO (-60005) #11893

[erik-bershel]

Be aware of another major breaking change in macOS-15, please:

• [macOS] Xcode support policy will be changed on August 11, 2025 #12541