Introducing macOS 26 Tahoe
Apple has unveiled the macOS 26 Tahoe, the latest iteration of its desktop operating system for Mac computers, at the WWDC 2025 event. Packed with innovative features, this update promises to elevate the user experience.
Design with Liquid Glass
The new design, featuring Liquid Glass, enhances the Mac experience while retaining the familiar look of macOS. This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, offering an immersive visual experience. The Dock, sidebars, and toolbars have been revamped to prioritize user content, and the menu bar is now fully transparent, creating a more expansive screen feel. Enhanced customization options allow users to tailor the menu bar and Control Center to their liking.
Continuity Features
With the Phone app now available on Mac through Continuity, users can forward cellular calls from their nearby iPhone. This app mirrors the familiar iPhone features like Recents, Favorites, and Voice Messages, alongside new updates like Call Display and Hold Assist. Additionally, Live Activities from an iPhone now appear in the Mac’s menu bar, providing real-time updates on events like Uber rides or live sports scores. Clicking a Live Activity opens iPhone Mirroring for more detailed information and direct action from the Mac.
Spotlight Enhancements
Spotlight has been revamped to streamline the search process, intelligently sorting results like files, folders, apps, and messages by relevance. New filtering options help users quickly narrow down searches to specific items like PDFs or emails. Spotlight also integrates with third-party cloud drives for comprehensive search results. The new browsing views enable users to scan apps, files, and clipboard history with ease. Furthermore, users can now perform hundreds of actions directly from Spotlight, such as sending emails and creating notes, without toggling between apps.
Advanced Apple Intelligence
Breaking language barriers, Live Translate automatically translates messages in Messages and offers live translated captions in FaceTime. The Phone app translates spoken words in real-time during calls. Shortcuts have become smarter with new smart actions, enabling powerful shortcuts like text summarization and image creation with Image Playground. Users can also leverage ChatGPT for extensive world knowledge. Automated shortcuts can now be triggered by specific actions or times, enhancing productivity.
macOS Tahoe introduces new ways to create Genmoji, allowing users to customize personal characteristics and choose emoticons suited for different moments. Users gain more control over personal attributes and expressions in Image Playground, with access to new styles like oil painting or vector art through ChatGPT.
Gaming Improvements
The dedicated Games app in macOS Tahoe provides gamers with a home for all their games, simplifying the process of returning to favorites, discovering new games, and engaging with friends. The new Game Layer allows players to edit system settings, chat, and invite friends without leaving games. Low Power Mode extends gaming sessions by maximizing playtime on battery. For developers, macOS Tahoe introduces Metal 4, offering advanced graphics and rendering technologies for smoother visuals and faster frame rates.
Additional Updates
- Safari boasts a refreshed design with a rounded tab style and a revamped sidebar for easy access to saved content like iCloud Tabs. Enhanced fingerprint protection is now default across all browsing.
- The Messages app introduces Backgrounds, Polls, and a redesigned detail view for easier chat navigation. Group chat improvements include writing indicators and the ability to add contacts directly from conversations.
- Diary debuts on Mac, allowing users to capture everyday moments and special events with ease. Multiple journals can be synced across Apple devices.
- The Photos app features a Liquid Glass design, improved customization, and easier workflows. Pinned Collections offer quick access to frequently used collections, with new buttons for filtering and sorting options.
- In FaceTime, a redesigned landing page showcases Contact Posters of recent callers, with Liquid Glass controls and quick access to features like SharePlay and Live Translate.
- Notes now supports importing and exporting to markdown files and recording transcribed audio conversations in the Phone app.
- Accessibility features include Magnifier on Mac, Accessibility Reader, a new Braille Access experience, and Vehicle Motion Tips to reduce motion sickness.
- Passwords feature version tracking, allowing users to check previous password versions and change details.
macOS 26 Tahoe Release Date
macOS 26 Tahoe is set to launch this fall as a free update for compatible Mac models, promising a transformative experience for all users.
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