Notion's desktop app gets a faster beta and stops updating on macOS 12, so the office's oldest Mac is about to get left behind
By Brett Gavaghan, Founder of Adaptd ·
Notion 7.39 adds an opt-in desktop beta with faster, lighter tabs, and now needs macOS 13 or later. Version 7.38.1 is the last one for macOS 12.
The short version
- Notion 7.39 adds a desktop beta with faster, lighter tabs that you can switch on in Settings.
- The Mac app now needs macOS 13 or later, and version 7.38.1 is the last update for macOS 12.
- Check which Macs in your business run macOS 12, and update them or move those users to Notion in the browser.
Every office has one Mac that's been "about to be updated" for two years. Notion has just given it a deadline.
What changed in the Notion desktop app?
Notion released version 7.39 of its desktop app on 15 October 2026, with an opt-in desktop beta that makes tabs faster and lighter. You turn it on in Settings, then Preferences, then Desktop beta.
The update also moves the app to the latest version of Electron, the framework it's built on, for better performance, stability and security. On Windows, it fixes a bug where AI Meeting Notes couldn't capture your microphone in the MSIX version of the app.
Which Macs are affected?
The Notion desktop app now requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. Version 7.38.1 is the last update that supports macOS 12 Monterey.
The older version won't vanish from those Macs, but it won't get new features or security fixes either. If someone on your team uses AI Meeting Notes or Notion's agents on an older Mac, they'll be stuck on what they have now.
What should your business do about it?
A business using Notion on Macs should check which machines still run macOS 12 and either update them or move those people to Notion in a web browser. On a Mac, the Apple menu, then About This Mac, shows the version.
My advice: the beta is worth a try if Notion feels sluggish with lots of tabs open, and you can turn it off again if it misbehaves. The macOS change is the bigger job. A Mac that can't run macOS 13 is usually due for replacement anyway, and Notion won't be the last app to stop supporting it.
Software, eh? It always gives you plenty of notice, right up until it doesn't.
Wondering what this means for your business?
That's exactly what the discovery call is for.