Apple has just announced macOS 26 Tahoe at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, 2025. Named after the picturesque Lake Tahoe in California, this latest version of macOS delivers a major visual overhaul, introducing a refreshed design, new features, and deeper integration with iPhone.
With its release date set for fall 2025, let's take a closer look at the new features and device compatibility of macOS Tahoe.
macOS Tahoe New Features
What can we expect from macOS 26 Tahoe? Apple has completely redesigned the operating system and the way you interact with your Mac, while still preserving the familiarity users expect from previous versions.
Major Stylistic OverHaul
macOS Tahoe features a dramatic visual redesign, centered around a new 'Liquid Glass' look that brings enhanced transparency and depth to menus, widgets, and app elements. Under the “Icon & Widget Style” tab in the ‘Appearance’ settings, you can choose from four visual options, ‘Default’, ‘Dark’, ‘Clear’, and ‘Tinted’, each of which can be further customised to match your colour preferences.
From left to right: Tinted, Dark, Clear and Default
Personalised controls and menu bar
Apple places a strong emphasis on customisation in macOS Tahoe. Alongside the new Liquid Glass design, you can now customise the Control Centre directly from the menu bar, rearranging the layout and adding your favourite apps and shortcuts for quicker access.
App window design change
Alongside the dramatic redesign in macOS Tahoe, Apple has also introduced more rounded app windows, closely resembling the curved edges of the latest iPhone displays.
A more subtle change in macOS Tahoe is the increased translucency of toolbars and sidebars. As you scroll through a page, windows now feature a slight transparency, creating a more open and fluid visual experience.
File Customisation
File organisation has been improved to include not only different colours but also customisable icons, allowing you to better distinguish between folders, such as using a weightlifter icon for your workout plan, or a stack of books for your work folder. While this is a relatively small feature, it has many practical uses to help ensure you never lose track of a folder.
Continuity
Apple has introduced the Phone app to macOS Tahoe through its Continuity feature, which enables seamless interaction between your Apple devices, such as your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Phone App
With the Phone app on macOS Tahoe, you can make and receive calls, access your contacts and voicemail, and enjoy many of the same features available on your iPhone.
New additions like Call Screening and Hold Assist further enhance the experience. Call Screening asks the caller to state their name and contact details, allowing you to decide whether to answer. Hold Assist keeps you in the call queue while you continue working, notifying you when a representative is ready to speak.
Live Activities
The menu bar in macOS Tahoe has seen a significant upgrade with the introduction of Live Activities from your iPhone. Live updates from apps like delivery trackers or sports scores now appear in the menu bar, bringing iPhone-style interactivity to macOS. Clicking on a Live Activity opens iPhone Mirroring, allowing you to interact with the app and access more detailed information, all without picking up your phone.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence was first introduced to macOS with the release of macOS 15 Sequoia in September 2024, bringing features like Genmoji, AI-powered proofreading, and Image Playground. With macOS Tahoe, Apple Intelligence continues to evolve, offering smarter automation and practical tools that simplify your daily workflow.
Live Translation
Cross-language communication is now easier than ever with automated translation in the Messages app. FaceTime supports live translated captions, and phone calls made through the Phone app can feature real-time spoken translations. Please note, there will be a limited number of languages to choose from at release.
Intelligent actions in shortcuts
Apple has enhanced the Shortcuts app in macOS Tahoe by integrating Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools and image generation via Image Playground. You can now automate shortcuts to run at specific times of day, perfect for tasks like auto-saving documents at regular intervals to avoid losing your progress.
Image Playground Genmoji Updates
The Image Playground app has been updated with new styles to choose from. You can now use the Genmoji style or select ChatGPT to generate an image from your pictures or text prompts. Additionally, you can use existing emojis and write a prompt to customize them to better match what you’re looking for.
Spotlight Update
With macOS Tahoe, Apple has removed Launchpad and focused on making Spotlight the main way to find and launch anything on your Mac. Spotlight has been transformed to not only search files, apps, and the web, but also perform quick actions like sending messages or emails, without needing to open the app. When you click on the search bar, you’ll now see options to filter results by Applications, Files, Actions, and Clipboard, in addition to the regular search input.
Next to Finder, you'll now see an Apps icon replacing Launchpad. Here, all your applications are organised by category, for example, the 'Utilities' section includes apps like Safari, Terminal, and Activity Monitor.
Games App
Functioning similar to popular third-party platforms, macOS Tahoe’s new Games app consolidates your games library together and makes it easy to message friends and send invites during gameplay; you will also get the option to change your configuration settings.
Journal App
Originally introduced in iOS 17.2, the Journal app gave users a space to record personal thoughts and experiences. With macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple is bringing this reflective tool to the Mac. Designed to be private, the app includes password protection to ensure your journal entries remain secure and accessible only to you.
macOS Tahoe Release Date
While the official date for macOS Tahoe is yet to be announced, Apple has stated that we can expect the latest version of the operating system to be available at some point during fall 2025. However, developers can download the beta version now.
macOS Tahoe Compatibility
Is my Mac compatible with macOS Tahoe? Below is a list of all the devices that can be upgraded to the latest version of the operating system.
| Device | Year |
| 2020 and later | |
| 2020 and later | |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch Intel | 2019 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch Intel Four Thunderbolt 3 ports | 2020 |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 and later | |
| 2020 and later | |
| 2022 and later | |
| Mac Pro Intel | 2019 |
| 2023 |
If your device predates the models listed above, it won’t be compatible with macOS Tahoe. At Hoxton Macs, we offer a wide range of Macs that are fully compatible with the latest macOS updates.
