Apple Launches macOS Tahoe 26 with Revamped Design, Smart AI Tools & Seamless iPhone Sync

At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced macOS Tahoe 26, the latest version of its desktop operating system. Packed with a visually striking redesign, robust AI-powered enhancements, and tighter integration with iPhone, this update aims to elevate how users interact with their Mac.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, emphasized the philosophy behind the update: “macOS is the heart and soul of the Mac, and with Tahoe, we’re building on what users love most.”

Stunning Redesign with Liquid Glass

The standout change in macOS Tahoe is the new “Liquid Glass” aesthetic, offering a visually immersive experience. With translucent materials reflecting ambient light and color, the Dock, menu bar, and toolbars now deliver a more polished and dynamic workspace. The menu bar is now fully transparent, while app icons dynamically adapt to light or dark environments.

Folders can now be personalized with custom symbols, emojis, and color-coded tags, giving users more control over desktop organization.

Mac and iPhone: Better Together

Apple continues to strengthen the bond between macOS and iOS with features that bring iPhone functionality directly to the Mac:

The native Phone app now appears on Mac, allowing users to manage voicemails, recent calls, and screen unknown numbers.

Hold Assist manages customer service calls, alerting users when a live agent is available.

Live Activities such as Uber rides, deliveries, or sports scores from iPhone are now visible in the Mac’s menu bar.

Tapping a Live Activity can instantly launch iPhone Mirroring, enabling quick access to mobile apps and features without picking up the phone.

Spotlight Becomes a Power Tool

The new Spotlight in macOS Tahoe is the most powerful version yet. It supports over 100 built-in actions like launching apps, composing messages, playing music, and managing calendar events. Users can:

Create custom “quick keys” for repetitive tasks.

View browseable previews and enhanced ranking based on user habits.

Enjoy integration with third-party apps via App Intents API.

This makes Spotlight not just a search tool but a productivity hub.

Privacy-First Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence plays a core role in macOS Tahoe:

Live Translation supports on-device translation for Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls.

Shortcuts now suggest automations based on real-time context and support advanced tasks like summarizing documents or comparing notes.

New creative tools such as Genmoji and Image Playground offer granular design control, allowing users to customize AI-generated emojis and images.

Most features are powered on-device, ensuring that privacy is never compromised.

Next-Gen Gaming and Media Capabilities

The update introduces the Apple Games app, a dedicated hub for gameplay discovery, management, and Apple Arcade integration. Enhancements include:

A floating Game Overlay for real-time chat, performance settings, and Low Power Mode.

New gaming titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Crimson Desert, and InZOI will utilize Metal 4 for smoother graphics, frame interpolation, and denoising.

Polished Everyday Features

Several macOS apps have received major updates:

Safari now features a floating tab bar, redesigned sidebar, and improved performance that is 50% faster than Chrome for common tasks.

Messages introduces chat backgrounds, group typing indicators, smart search, and support for in-line polls.

Photos adds tile resizing, advanced filtering, and pinned albums.

The new Journal app comes to Mac for reflective writing and tracking personal growth.

Notes gains Markdown support and phone call transcription.

Additional refinements include:

FaceTime with floating controls and contact posters.

Accessibility updates such as Vehicle Motion Cues, Braille Access, and Magnifier enhancements.

Availability and Requirements

Developer Preview: Available now

Public Beta: Launching next month

Official Release: Scheduled for Fall 2025

macOS Tahoe 26 will be available for all Macs with Apple Silicon and Intel-based models starting from 2019. However, some Apple Intelligence features will be limited to M1 and later Macs, and select iPhone 16 models. Initially, features will support English, Spanish, French, and German, with more languages expected by the end of 2025.