macOS

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New MacOS

The new macOS. Latest macOS version. How to check macOS versions. How to upgrade macOS.

The latest macOS version is macOS Tahoe 26 (released September 15, 2025). Check if you should get Tahoe and see how to upgrade. Apple releases a new macOS version every year. Major macOS releases are announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, with a release in September. Here's more about the latest Mac OS.

Before you get started

With the new macOS, you'll need a terminal application to get full use of your Mac. Apple includes the Mac terminal but I prefer Warp Terminal. Warp is an easy-to-use terminal application, with AI assistance to help you learn and remember terminal commands. Download Warp Terminal now; it's FREE and worth a try.

Install and configure the latest macOS version

You should upgrade to the latest macOS version (unless your Mac is old and slow! see below). Start here:

Get the latest macOS version on your Mac with these instructions:

After you upgrade your macOS, be sure to see:

You'll want to optimize system settings for the Finder, Dock, and more.

MacOS Tahoe 26

Read about what's in the new release:

Should you upgrade to a new macOS?

In most cases, you should upgrade to the latest non-beta macOS version. Apple's public software releases are well-tested and stable. It's rare to encounter significant issues when updating to a new macOS version.

How much time is needed? It can take several hours for full operating system upgrades to upgrade your Mac from one major version to another (for example, macOS Sequoia to macOS Tahoe).

There are good reasons to hesitate if you have an older, Intel-based Mac. For many years, each new macOS version has required more resources than the previous version. If you have an older Mac, you may find that the new macOS version runs slowly. Newer Macs using the Apple Silicon M1, M2, or M3 chips are fast enough to handle the latest macOS releases, but if your Mac is Intel-based you may want to stick with the macOS version that's currently installed.

The value in the new macOS

In general, new macOS versions are worth an upgrade. Apple continually improves security and fixes bugs and it's important to use the latest version if you are developing software or trying to stay compatible with new software versions.

Features in the new macOS

MacOS Tahoe 26 delivers substantial improvements that make upgrading worthwhile, though the visual changes are not uniformly popular. Here are the significant features.

Spotlight Search Changes: A significant update to Spotlight transforms it from a simple search tool into a productivity booster. You can now initiate hundreds of actions directly from Spotlight without opening apps—send messages, run shortcuts, manage files, and access clipboard history all from the Command-Space interface. Quick Keys let you assign custom shortcuts (like "SM" for Messages) to frequently used actions, and Spotlight intelligently suggests files and contacts based on your daily routines. One reviewer said, "The new Spotlight is worth the price of admission."

Phone App and Enhanced Continuity: The new Phone app brings cellular calling directly to your Mac through iPhone connectivity, with Call Screening to identify unknown callers before you answer, and Hold Assist to keep your place in customer service queues. Live Activities from your iPhone now appear in the Mac's menu bar, letting you track deliveries, sports scores, or ride-sharing updates in real-time. The intent is to eliminate the need to constantly check your phone while working, so you can say, "I can quickly glance at every call and text I get without interrupting my flow".

Shortcuts Automation Improvements: macOS Tahoe 26 expands Shortcuts with new automation triggers based on time of day, file activity, battery level, Wi-Fi networks, external displays, and calendar events. Most significantly, Shortcuts can now tap directly into Apple Intelligence models to automate complex tasks while maintaining privacy. If you are already using Shortcuts, you'll get more done with less effort.

Liquid Glass Design—Mixed Reception: The new Liquid Glass interface makes iconic macOS elements "fresh yet familiar" with translucent materials that reflect and refract content. However, user reactions are polarized. While some appreciate the visual refresh, others find it "startling at first" but note that "very soon you see it as less of something new to understand, and unfortunately more like a new skin laid over the old OS". Critics argue it "makes it more difficult to identify items" and feels less cohesive on desktop compared to mobile devices. There are extensive customization options so you can tweak the appearance to your liking.

Folder and Icon Customization: Folder customization becomes "super expressive" with emoji assignments, color tinting that automatically applies system tags, and the ability to set default colors across Finder, Dock, and desktop. Icons gain Light, Dark, Tinted, and new Clear looks to match the transparent aesthetic. Serious workplace users might consider it a "cutesy" enhancement but it could be useful for organizing files and folders.

Developer Improvements: Not much here. Terminal receives a visual upgrade with 24-bit color support, Powerline fonts, and new themes for better customization. Most developers have switched to more powerful terminal applications, so the Terminal upgrade isn't significant.

Gaming and Developer Improvements: Gaming gets enhancements with Low Power Mode triggering during gameplay for extended battery sessions and simplified DualSense controller pairing. Apple is hoping game developers will use Metal 4 with advanced graphics technologies like MetalFX Frame Interpolation and Denoising.

Applications Replace Launchpad: Apple eliminated Launchpad in favor of a new Applications interface that organizes apps by category (Utilities, Productivity, Social, etc.) and integrates with Spotlight. Pairing Spotlight with app launching is better than the clunky Launchpad for most users, but there may be some users who miss Launchpad.

It seems users generally agree that macOS Tahoe is the biggest macOS change in several years, with some actual productivity improvements, even if the visual changes generate debate. The Spotlight overhaul is the most significant, hinting at a shift to a chat-focused interface.

macOS for software developers

If you are developing software on the Mac, you should upgrade to the latest macOS version and then install:

For developing software on the Mac, I recommend:

What's next

My mac.install.guide is a trusted source of installation guides for professional developers. Take a look at the Mac Install Guide home page for tips and trends and see what to install next.