Apple’s WWDC 2025 was a major event for Apple fans, with significant updates not only to iOS but also to macOS and practically every other operating system the company develops.
We’re not talking about a new feature or two here either; instead, macOS Tahoe is set to introduce a completely new design along with improvements to Continuity, an overhauled Spotlight experience, and smarter Apple Intelligence experiences when it’s released later this year.
Here’s everything you need to know about macOS Tahoe 26, from release and beta information to the biggest and most exciting features coming as part of the update.
macOS Tahoe 26 at a glance:
- Set for release later this year
- Public beta to be available in July
- New Liquid Glass UI
- Improved Continuity functionality
- Overhauled Spotlight experience
- Improved Apple Intelligence features
When will macOS Tahoe 26 be released?
Though Apple didn’t confirm a specific date during the debut of macOS Tahoe, the company did confirm that the software update is set to launch on Macs later this ‘fall’, or autumn for us in the UK.
Based on previous macOS releases, it’s safe to assume that the desktop software will appear at the same time, or shortly after, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and other major updates that typically arrive in September.
Is there a macOS Tahoe 26 beta?
As with previous years, Apple has released a macOS Tahoe 26 beta – but it’s just for developers initially. Released following the announcement, it’s readily available for registered Apple developers to download and test ahead of release later this year – but what about the rest of us?
Thankfully, Apple confirmed that macOS Tahoe 26 will be available as part of the Public Beta Program that allows keen fans to trial the upcoming software while it’s still being developed. It’ll likely have bugs as a result, but if you really can’t wait until release, it’s a good way of getting a sneak peek.
Apple has confirmed that the public beta program will launch in July, with no specific date announced at the time of writing.
macOS Tahoe 26 design and features
macOS Tahoe 26 is a big update coming to Macs later this year, offering not just a redesigned UI but key upgrades to improve the experience on offer.
New glass-like design
The biggest change coming as part of macOS Tahoe is the updated user interface, with Apple now leaning heavily into a glass-inspired design it calls Liquid Glass.
First present on visionOS before making its way to iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and practically every other bit of software Apple is set to launch in 2025, the translucent new material reflects and refracts its surroundings in a bid to feel more alive and dynamic.
As part of the update, toolbars, sidebars and even the ol’ faithful, the Dock, have been tweaked to introduce the new glass-like design, along with differences in how toolbar icons and other shortcuts are displayed. First-party app icons have also been updated to reflect the new glass-like design, and you’ll also be able to use a transparent, clear style of icons if that’s to your taste.
Other tweaks include the ability to change the colour of folders, ditching the standard shade of blue Apple has used for years, and you can even add an emoji to help them stand out further.
A new Spotlight experience
Spotlight has been a staple of the Mac experience for years, and despite being an oft-used feature of the desktop feature, it never got the TLC it desperately needed.
Well, that’s changing in macOS Tahoe, with a more intelligent search function that displays all results, whether from files, folders, events, messages or even Google, in one place, ranked intelligently based on relevance. What’s more, it’ll also play nicely with third-party cloud storage services.
It also introduces new filter functionality, allowing you to search specifically for, for example, a PDF or an email, while the new Browse view provides suggested apps based on your previous usage.
It doesn’t stop with searching though; the new Spotlight will be able to perform actions like sending an email, creating a note or playing a playlist on Apple Music without actually using said apps, as well as run Apple Shortcuts. As with other features, it’ll intelligently suggest actions to you based on your routine to make it even more convenient.
Improved Continuity functionality
Apple has long prided itself on its continuity functionality that essentially allows you to start a process on one Apple device and continue on another. It’ll, say, provide you with a shortcut to the webpage you were looking at on Safari when turning on your Mac or allow you to open the app you are using on your iPad immediately.
That’s getting a big boost in macOS Tahoe, with live activities from your iPhone now appearing in the menu bar on your Mac to keep on track of things happening in real-time, whether that’s football scores or the status of your Just Eat delivery.
There’s also a dedicated Phone app in the new software that lets you make calls via your iPhone, complete with all the new features coming to the Phone app in iOS 26 – elements like Call Screening and Hold Assist – along with all the staples of the iPhone Phone experience.
New Apple Intelligence features
Just like with iOS 26, Apple is set to introduce new and updated Apple Intelligence features as part of macOS Tahoe.
That starts with new Live Translation capabilities that’ll automatically translate texts in the Messages app, as well as live captioning via FaceTime and the ability to translate calls using text-to-speech technology.
Apple’s underrated Shortcuts app is also getting a boost in the upcoming software update, with new AI-based actions like the ability to summarise text or create images with Image Playground available for use in user-built shortcuts.
You’ll also now be able to run shortcuts automatically on macOS at a specific time of day or when performing an action, such as saving a file to a folder or connecting a display.
There are also updates to Genmoji, with the ability to further customise your emoji and even select expressions. Additionally, Image Playground will be able to tap into entirely new styles of images using ChatGPT.
New Games app
macOS Tahoe is set to introduce a dedicated Games app that’ll act like a hub for all games installed on your Mac.
That should not only make it easier to browse and jump back into the action, but with tailored new game recommendations and game event notifications, it could make gaming on Mac all the more enjoyable.
That’s just as true with the new Game Overlay, allowing users to tweak system settings, chat with mates or invite people to play, all without leaving the actual game window.
