MacOS Tahoe 26
MacOS Tahoe 26. Should you update to macOS Tahoe? New features in macOS Tahoe. How to install the Mac OS Tahoe software.
MacOS Tahoe 26 was announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025, with a developer beta available immediately. The public beta is expected in July 2025, with the final release expected in September 2025. The current macOS version is MacOS 15 Sequoia, released September 16, 2024.
You can install the macOS Tahoe beta if you want to try the new features ahead of final release. It's early in the beta cycle, so I only suggest installing the macOS beta if you have a spare and non-essential Mac.
MacOS Tahoe features Apple's biggest design overhaul since macOS Big Sur in 2020 and will be the final macOS version to support Intel-based Macs. Version numbering is now consistent across all Apple platforms, indicating the year following release, so "macOS 15 Sequoia" is replaced by "macOS Tahoe 26".
Before you get started
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How to update macOS
Unless your Mac is old and slow, you should be running macOS Sequoia now. Then you'll be prepared for the coming upgrade to macOS Tahoe. To update to macOS Sequoia, see the article
The time it takes to update your Mac can vary widely based on several factors such as the size of the update, your Internet speed, and the age and performance of your Mac. An update to macOS Sequoia can take more than an hour.
Should you update to macOS Tahoe?
For Apple Silicon Mac users, you should update to macOS Tahoe soon after the final release in September. Apple's public software releases are well-tested and stable so it's rare to encounter significant issues when updating to a new macOS version. Take a look at the description of changes below so you'll know what to expect. The UI look-and-feel is changing but it's better to get habituated to it rather than stay with an older macOS version.
There are good reasons to hesitate if you have an older, Intel-based Mac. Each new macOS version has generally required more resources than its predecessor. If you have an older Mac, you may find that macOS Tahoe runs slowly--or it may not run at all if the model isn’t supported (see the Compatibility section below).
For Intel Mac users, macOS Tahoe represents the final major macOS upgrade available. After this release, future macOS versions will be exclusively for Apple Silicon Macs. Security updates will continue for Intel Macs for three additional years, but new features and capabilities will be limited to Apple Silicon hardware. Don't update an Intel Mac to macOS Tahoe until well after the final release in September, so you have time to check for opinions about its speed on older Macs. If people say it's too slow to be usable, stay with an older macOS version on Intel Macs. If it's fast enough, then install macOS Tahoe and plan to continue using it until the end of its support period, at which time you'll need a new Mac.
What's significant in macOS Tahoe
MacOS Tahoe introduces Apple's most significant interface redesign in five years and delivers major improvements to core system features like Spotlight search.
Apple realizes that most of its users have experienced the iPhone and iPad as their first Apple devices. The UI for macOS was established long before the iPhone and reflects an older UI paradigm of files, applications, and a Terminal, as conceived for the first personal computers. In the last several macOS releases, Apple has sought to unify a UI across all its devices with a shift to an app-centric interface rather than a file-centric interface. Significantly, macOS Tahoe introduces "Liquid Glass," a UI look-and-feel that's consistent across Apple devices, making Mac computers look more familiar to iPhone users.
At the same time, with macOS Tahoe, Apple has dropped Launchpad, an app-centric interface borrowed from iOS, and replaced it with an Applications view in Spotlight. Changes to Spotlight suggest it is no longer conceived as purely a search tool, but will become the foundation of a new chat-centric interface for users who've become accustomed to using natural language for interaction with AI services like ChatGPT. As you use macOS Tahoe, notice that you still have the familiar files and the Terminal of a personal computer, a screen of apps like a smartphone, and Siri and the Spotlight chat interface that responds to natural language queries. That may be the true significance of macOS Tahoe, a step in an evolution to conversational computing.
New features in macOS Tahoe
Look and feel
MacOS Tahoe’s “Liquid Glass” redesign is the biggest since macOS Big Sur, overhauling the look and feel of the Mac interface. Translucent, glass-like elements now appear throughout the system while keeping the familiar macOS layout. The menu bar is completely transparent, making the display feel larger, and the Dock and sidebars are semi-translucent, showing content behind them. Buttons, switches, and sliders have glassy finishes with light reflections. The design dynamically adapts between light and dark modes and uses real-time rendering for smooth visual effects.
Positive:
"Having used the beta for a while, I think I've fallen in love with it. The UI is absolutely gorgeous and such a delight to use. It's the closest thing we've come to Aqua's 'lickability'." — Hacker News
"I'm really enjoying this update! It gives me the sensation of being inside a Fox's Glacier Mint, which is definitely a plus for me." — Reddit
Negative:
"The overly smooth, rounded appearance is off-putting. It makes it difficult for me to read or see clearly, and it feels like it's trying too hard to make an impression." — Reddit
"It's challenging to differentiate elements, such as the sidebar from the windows, and the overall design appears quite chaotic." — Reddit
Better customization
The new design allows more personalization beyond setting wallpapers. Folder colors can be changed from the default blue to any color, with the ability to add emoji symbols for easier organization. App icons gain new tinting options that adapt to light and dark modes, including a new "clear" variant. Control Center and menu bar layouts become fully customizable, allowing users to add controls for third-party applications.
Positive:
"I think I like the rounded look, we'll have to see though. Only issue I can see with rounded is less usable screen space for windows." — Reddit
"Readability was much better in Dark mode. Colour popped more too." — Reddit
Negative:
"The panels appear to represent various operating systems, lacking any sense of cohesion. The folders don't align with the overall aesthetic, and the shortcuts, along with some icons, seem inconsistent as well." — Reddit
Spotlight's big update
Spotlight gets updated from a simple search tool into a conversational command center. The new Spotlight can perform actions without launching apps. For example, you can send an email, create a note, or adjust a setting directly from the Spotlight bar. Spotlight learns to rank search results based on your usage habits, and you can even search deep into apps’ menus and settings (for instance, finding a command inside Photoshop via Spotlight). A new Quick Actions feature lets you save shortcuts like “sm” to send a message or “ar” to add a reminder. Spotlight in Tahoe becomes a one-stop interface for both finding information and performing common tasks quickly.
Positive:
“I was pretty impressed with the improvement to Spotlight. May leave Raycast at least for a bit to test it out. They seemed like they actually focused on productivity this year while giving a visual facelift.” — Reddit
Negative:
"The absence of Launchpad is definitely felt, and I find the new Spotlight app library to be quite disappointing. The new version fails to categorize many of my apps correctly, forcing me to navigate through them in a linear A-Z format." — Reddit
Mac as a Phone
The new macOS Phone app brings the iPhone user interface to Mac, with Recents, Favorites, voicemail access, Call Screening, and Hold Assist. You'll be able to handle calls entirely from your desktop without reaching for your iPhone.
Positive:
“The first [thing] that I'm actually interested in is the improved continuity between iPhone and Mac, although these don't feel huge either.” — Hacker News
Live Activities notifications
iPhone's Live Activities now appear directly in the Mac's menu bar, providing real-time updates about deliveries, rides, sports scores, and other time-sensitive notifications. You won't have to pick up your phone for status updates while working on your Mac. On the other hand, you probably keep your phone next to your computer while you're working and maybe it's better to silence the phone and turn it face down when you're busy, rather than get distracted by notifications.
Mac gaming
Apple continues to try to convince people that Macs are good for gaming, this time with a dedicated Games app that serves as a unified game library, social hub, and discovery platform. The new Game Overlay allows users to adjust system settings, chat with friends, and access game-specific options without leaving their game. This addresses the long-time hassle of having to exit or tab out of a game to change basic settings. Under the hood, for game developers who use it, the Metal 4 graphics framework offers improved gaming performance. We'll just have to see if more major game studios will begin releasing titles for the Mac.
Apple Intelligence gains
Apple continues to add new capabilities to Apple Intelligence. Writing is improved with enhanced auto‑completion and rephrasing suggestions. Live Translation can translate text or audio in real time, even during a FaceTime call or in the Messages app. A Genmoji feature allows users to generate custom emoji using AI for a personalized touch. The Image Playground lets you create or edit images with creative AI-driven effects. The Shortcuts app benefits from Smart Shortcuts that can automate complex workflows. These features remain exclusive to Apple Silicon Macs.
Small changes in macOS Tahoe
Safari: Safari in Tahoe is faster and more efficient, loading frequently visited websites 50% faster than Chrome, with longer battery life when streaming video. There are a few interface changes. A new rounded tab design floats within the toolbar and an updated sidebar gives easier access to iCloud Tabs and shared links.
Photos: An updated design includes Liquid Glass elements, enhanced customization options, easier workflows, and Pinned Collections for quick access to frequently used collections.
Messages: Changes to conversation details with designated sections for contact information, photos, links, and locations. New typing indicators show exactly who is typing in group conversations.
Journal The new Journal app (introduced on iPhone in iOS 18) comes to the Mac in Tahoe. This app allows you to record daily notes, memories, and reflections. On Mac, you can type longer journal entries comfortably and view them on a larger screen (including seeing entries plotted on a map). Journals are synced across your Apple devices, and you can maintain multiple journals for different aspects of your life.
Continuity and sharing FaceTime in Tahoe gets a redesigned interface with floating controls and a new sidebar, so video calls are more immersive. The Messages app adds Live Stickers and better search filters, aligning it with its iOS counterpart. Also, AirDrop is more reliable and faster in Tahoe, and the Seamless connectivity between Mac and iPhone is improved (e.g. answering calls, using Universal Clipboard, etc. feels snappier).
Security: Notarized apps are now exempt from first launch malware scans, significantly improving app launch speeds.
Details of macOS Tahoe changes
For a comprehensive look at the changes in macOS Tahoe, see Apple's official documentation:
Compatibility
MacOS Tahoe 26 will only run on these Mac models:
Apple Silicon Macs (Fully Supported):
- MacBook Air with Apple Silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon (2020 and later)
- iMac (2020 and later)
- Mac mini (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
Intel Macs (Final Support):
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
Notable exclusions include the 2018 MacBook Pro, 2019 iMacs, and iMac Pro models that currently run macOS Sequoia. If you've got these models you'll have to stay with macOS Sequoia or buy a new Mac.
What users are saying
For users' general sentiment or reports of issues, take a look at these forums:
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.