Apple announced a new version of macOS during its WWDC 2025 keynote presentation, featuring a new design, improved search functions, a new Phone app, and an entirely new game launcher with overlay. The new update, expected later this year, is called macOS Tahoe 26. Upon release this fall, Tahoe will be available for all Apple silicon-based Macs as well as some Intel-based Macs with a T2 Security chip. Developers can start beta testing it today, and a public beta is scheduled next month.
is a reviewer covering laptops and the occasional gadget. He spent over 15 years in the photography industry before joining The Verge as a deals writer in 2021.
While Apple is sticking with California-themed names in Tahoe, this marks the first time it is numbering macOS to align with its yearly update schedule — with 26 replacing last year’s macOS 15. This year is 2025, but most of macOS 26’s lifespan will be during 2026. (Think of it like the model year of cars, which never gets confusing.)
The big new change for macOS 26 is an overhauled design, following Apple’s new Liquid Glass aesthetic also announced at WWDC 25. The glass-like style encompasses the Dock, toolbars, app icons, widgets, and colors. Now, similar to the iPhone, users will be able to theme their Macs with color-matched folders and app icons that can be tinted.
1/3Tahoe can be themed and tinted to match a particular aesthetic or wallpaper. Image: Apple
Tahoe is getting its own Phone app for use with a paired iPhone via Continuity. The app is modeled after the iPhone version, complete with Favorites, Voicemails, Call Screening, and Hold Assist. There’s also support for Live Activities from a nearby iPhone, allowing you to see live updates from your phone — like the status of an Uber on its way to you — on your Mac’s menu bar.
Apple claims Spotlight is getting its biggest update to date, allowing users to take direct actions through it, like taking a note, sending an email, or running a Shortcut. Users can view all of their apps within Spotlight search, allowing it to even act as a mini launcher, including apps from their iPhone via mirroring. Additionally, Spotlight search results are listed and ranked based on what should be most relevant to you, with the ability to filter your search further.
1/3Spotlight can now act as a mini app launcher. Image: Apple
Spotlight’s most power-user-focused features include the ability to run Shortcuts and actions within the app you’re currently using and quick keys for faster access to actions within an app — “sm” for “send message” or “ar” for “add reminder.”
Tahoe also has new Apple Intelligence features, such as Live Translations, improved Shortcuts, and updates to Genmoji, Image Playground, and Reminders. You’ll be able to get live, automatic language translations in the Messages app — both incoming ones and outbound ones you write. And, similar to Windows 11’s feature from last year, you can get translated live captions of someone speaking on a FaceTime call.
Apple is also putting a new Games app in macOS 26. Apple Games gives users a dedicated app for cataloging and launching their games, discovering new titles, and syncing up with friends for playing online. There’s also a Game Overlay for adjusting settings, chatting, and sending game invites. For game developers, Apple is also introducing Metal 4, the latest version of its graphics API, including MetalFX Frame Interpolation and Denoising to improve frame rates.
Last year’s macOS 15 Sequoia was also first announced at WWDC, and it gave Mac users new features like iPhone mirroring, proper window tiling, and access to Apple Intelligence.
Update, June 9th: Added information about Intel-based Mac compatibility.
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