Apple has introduced macOS Tahoe 26, the newest update for Mac computers. This update brings a fresh design, smarter features, and better ways to work across Apple devices.
A Fresh and Customizable Design
macOS Tahoe 26 features a new Liquid Glass look. The Dock, sidebars, and toolbars are now more refined, and the menu bar is fully transparent, making the screen feel larger.
Users can personalize their Mac with new color options for folders, app icons, and widgets. Folders can also have symbols or emojis, helping users organize their desktop in a unique way.
New Ways to Stay Connected
The Phone app now comes to Mac. Users can make and receive calls, check voicemails, and use features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. Call Screening answers unknown calls and asks callers for details, while Hold Assist keeps users in line during long waits so they can keep working. Live Activities from iPhone now appear on Mac, showing real-time updates like flights or sports scores in the menu bar.
Spotlight Gets Smarter
Spotlight, the Mac’s search tool, receives its biggest update ever. It now lists all search results together and ranks them by relevance. Users can filter searches, browse results by type, and take hundreds of actions—like sending an email or creating a note—directly from Spotlight. Quick keys help users access actions faster, and Spotlight learns from daily routines to suggest helpful tasks.
Apple Intelligence Expands
Apple Intelligence is now more powerful and private. Live Translation helps users translate messages and calls in real time. Genmoji and Image Playground let users create custom emojis and images.
Shortcuts are smarter, allowing users to automate tasks using Apple Intelligence models, either on the device or in the cloud, with privacy protected. Users can also connect to ChatGPT for more advanced tasks.
New Apple Games App and Gaming Features
The new Apple Games app gives users a home for all their games. The Game Overlay lets players adjust settings and chat with friends without leaving the game. Low Power Mode helps extend gaming sessions. Developers can use the new Metal 4 technology for better graphics and performance.
Other Notable Updates
- Safari is now faster and offers better privacy protection.
- Messages adds backgrounds, polls, and improved group chat features.
- Journal arrives on Mac for capturing daily moments.
- Photos gets a new design and easier ways to organize images.
- FaceTime and Notes receive design and feature improvements.
- Accessibility features include a new Magnifier, Accessibility Reader, and better support for braille devices.
Availability
macOS Tahoe 26 is available for developer testing now, with a public beta next month. The official release comes this fall as a free update for supported Macs. Some features, especially Apple Intelligence, require newer devices.
