macOS 26 Tahoe Guide: New features in the latest macOS 26.5 update

Like its counterparts on the other Apple devices, in September 2025 macOS got a brand new look along with a new name: macOS 26. Because Apple is aligning the names of all the operating systems this year, the new version of macOS is called macOS 26 rather than macOS 16. It also takes the name Tahoe, inspired by the lake, beaches, and the ski resorts of that area of California. 

Along with a big redesign, macOS 26 brings new Continuity features to bring your iPad, iPhone, and Mac even closer together, a brand new Phone app, and more. Spotlight also gets its biggest ever update with the ability to action things like sending emails directly from Spotlight. 

Those with compatible Macs have been able to install macOS Tahoe since it was released on September 15, 2025. If you haven’t yet, read on to find out how to do so, whether you can, and whether you should.

macOS Tahoe might have launched, but Apple is continuing development with new features being added every couple of months–the latest update being macOS 26.5. You can get a first look at the new upcoming features via Apple’s developer and public betas, which are available to download if you join the beta program (we explain how to do so below).

You will find all the things you need to know about macOS Tahoe and all its new features below, including which Macs are compatible with macOS 26 and the new features you can expect, including what’s been added since the September launch, and what’s coming in the next update. Stay tuned to this superguide for everything you need to know about macOS 26 Tahoe.

What is the latest version of macOS 26 Tahoe?

• Latest version of macOS is macOS Tahoe 26.5 which arrived on May 11, 2026

Apple released the first version of macOS 26 Tahoe on September 15, 2025. The release coincided with the iOS 26 update. Since then the following updates to Tahoe have been issued by Apple:

• macOS 26 – September 15, 2025
• macOS 26.0.1 – September 29, 2025 (bug fixes)
• macOS 26.1 – November 3, 2025
• macOS 26.2 – December 12, 2025
• macOS 26.3 – February 11, 2026
• macOS 25.3.1 – March 4, 2026
• macOS 26.4 – March 24, 2026
• macOS 26.4.1 – April 9, 2026
• macOS 26.5 – May 11, 2026

Wondering whether to install macOS Tahoe? Read: macOS Tahoe vs macOS Sequoia: What’s different, what’s new, and should you update?

What’s coming in the next version of macOS?

• macOS 26.6 – release date tbc

macOS Tahoe 26.5 has now been released so Apple will start work on the next beta of macOS 26. Version 6.

On June 8, Apple will hold its WWDC event at which the company will reveal news about what’s coming in macOS 27 later in 2026. The macOS 26.6 update is unlikely to arrive before the WWDC Keynote.

With Apple already working on the next update to macOS, we are less likely to see new features for macOS 26. Future updates to macOS 26 are more likely to relate to bug fixes and security updates, unless Apple needs to release new features for compatibility with upcoming new products.

Apple runs a developer beta as well as a public beta so that upcoming new features can be tested. Both betas are free, though the developer beta requires a free registration as a developer. Apple issues updates to the betas fairly regularly. The public beta updates tend to come a day or two after the updated developer beta. If you are interested in trying out the beta, you can join Apple’s beta program. For help installing the macOS beta, see our guide to installing the macOS beta.

New features that have arrived in macOS 26 Tahoe since launch

Development continues even after the official macOS update is released, as Apple seeks to introduce new features that missed the initial introduction date.

Below you can see all the new macOS features that have arrived with each iteration of macOS 26 since it’s initial launch in September 2025.

New features in macOS 26.5

With macOS 26.5, Apple added a new option for desktop Mac owners who think it’s too difficult to reach their Mac’s power button.

A new option labeled “Start up when power is connected” now appears in the Energy section of System Settings for the Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Studio. An Apple support document explains that “Your Mac will now automatically turn on whenever you connect it to power, such as when plugging it into a power outlet or restoring power using an external power switch.” This should be helpful for those who find the on switch awkward to reach on the Mac mini.

Apple also included several features that are also in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5:

• Maps now has Suggested Places and ads
• Power control setting in Energy for Mac mini, Mac Studio, and iMac enables you to power off or restart your Mac using assistive accessories like switches
• RCS end-to-en encryption
• Bug fixes and security enhancement

New features in macOS 26.4.1

macOS 26.4 is specific to the M5 MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros released in March 2026.

It fixes an issue that can occur when using content filter extensions and connecting to a Wi-Fi network on those machines.

New features in macOS 26.4

• Battery management feature: A manual battery charge limit for MacBooks. This is a feature previously exclusive to iPhones that allows users to cap their battery charge at 80 percent, 100 percent, or any five-percent increment in between to reduce long-term wear and tear.
• Terminal warning: A new Terminal paste warning alerts users who paste in suspicious commands that scammers encourage pasting text into Terminal.
• Apple Music “Playlist Playground”: A new feature that uses Apple Intelligence to generate or edit playlists based on text prompts or a selection of songs.
• Writing Tools and Summaries: Continued integration of system-wide AI tools for proofreading and summarizing text.
• Apple Podcasts update: A new video podcast experience that utilizes HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to allow users to switch seamlessly between watching and listening to shows.
• Apple Music update: The interface for albums and playlists has been updated so that the background color dynamically matches the album artwork.
• Freeform: The whiteboarding app has received a “Creator Studio” update, which includes new features and a refreshed app icon.
• Advanced Fingerprinting Protection: macOS 26.4 includes critical security patches and expands on privacy features like Advanced Fingerprinting Protection.
• Stolen Device Protection: This a feature, first seen on iPhone, is expected to be enabled by default starting with this release.
• Eight new emoji: Ballet Dancer, Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature (Bigfoot), Landslide, Orca, Treasure Chest, and Trombone
• Rosetta 2 warnings: Support for the transition layer for Intel-based apps will end with macOS 27.

New features in macOS 26.3.1

• External Display Support: macOS 26.3.1 adds support for the 2026 models of the Studio Display and Studio Display XDR.

If you’re planning on investing in a Studio Display, you’ll need to install this update, according to the release notes. It also includes security patches and bug fixes.

New features in macOS 26.3

This update continues the refinement of the major features introduced with the initial launch of macOS 26 Tahoe. In iOS 26.3 there were a number of EU-mandated changes. It is also optimized for the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which are due to launch. Read our iOS 26 guide for more information.

New features in macOS 26.2

macOS Tahoe 26.2, released in late 2025, introduced several specialized updates focusing on video conferencing enhancements, AI development tools, and hardware-specific performance boosts. While it was not considered a massive overhaul, it brought a few “genius” utility features that improved the daily user experience, particularly for those working in remote or low-light environments.

• Edge Light: The most prominent consumer-facing feature in macOS 26.2 is Edge Light, a virtual ring light designed to improve webcam image quality. It places a bright white border around the display to mimic a selfie ring light, significantly improving visibility in dark rooms. It uses the Neural Engine to detect the user’s face for appropriate light adjustment and can even detect the cursor to hide the light when it might interfere with navigation. Users can adjust the intensity of the light and choose between warmer or cooler color temperatures. It requires an M-series Mac, but on M4 Macs and later, the feature can be set to enable automatically when low light is detected .
• AI and Developer Enhancements: For developers and power users, macOS 26.2 introduced significant updates to machine learning frameworks and hardware clustering. Developers using the open-source MLX framework can now leverage the Neural Accelerator in the M5 chip. The update enhanced the ability to create AI clusters using the Mac Studio’s Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.
• Security Updates: Critical patches for vulnerabilities, aligning with security fixes found in iPadOS 26.2.
• Interface Polish: Continued refinement of the “Liquid Glass” UI, which introduced more translucency and visionOS-style effects across the system.
• Performance: General “under-the-hood” changes to improve system stability and responsiveness .

New features in macOS 26.1

The macOS 26.1 update includes fixes for problems with games controllers and some other issues. There are a lot more changes coming to iPhones with iOS 26.1.

New features in macOS 26.1 include:

• Liquid Glass: Ability to tone down Liquid Glass effect. Choose between clear and tinted look for increased opacity.
• AutoMix support for Apple Music over AirPlay.
• FaceTime audio improvements over low-bandwidth.
• Regional Communication Safety and Web content filters for adult websites.
• Icons: Changes to the Macintosh HD icon.
• New TV app icon with Apple TV+ rebranded to Apple TV.
• A new Results from Clipboard setting for Spotlight, where the user can turn on/off Spotlight’s ability to search and display clipboard items. Users can also set an expiration time for the clipboard and clear the Clipboard history. (Settings > Spotlight > Results from Clipboard.)

macOS 26 Tahoe problems & fixes

Some M3 Ultra Mac Studio users have reported that they are unable to install macOS Tahoe. It seems the problematic Mac Studios already had Sequoia 15.7 installed, and during the attempted installation, Tahoe would look for a driver, and when it failed to find it, it resulted in a failed installation.

The macOS 26.0.1 update addresses the initial bugs, including the Mac Studio installation bug.

macOS 26 Tahoe supported devices: Which Macs get macOS Tahoe

• Requires M-series chip or Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip
• Apple Intelligence features require M1 or later
• No Intel support from macOS 27 onwards

When Apple updates the operating system for its devices, it sometimes means that certain models are no longer supported. The good news is that Macs that ran macOS Sonoma will be able to run the new macOS. Apple states that the base requirement includes Macs with M-series chips and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 security chip.

Here are Macs with Apple Silicon that will be able to run macOS Tahoe:

• MacBook Air (M1/2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (M1/2020 and later)
• iMac (M1/2021 and later)
• Mac mini (M1/2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (M1/2022 and later)
• Mac Pro (M2/2023 and later)

There are four Intel-powered Macs able to run macOS Tahoe. These models won’t support Apple Intelligence features:

• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, Intel/2019)
• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, Intel/2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (Intel/mid 2020)
• Mac Pro (Intel/2019)

Apple confirmed that this is the last version of macOS that will run on Intel Macs. 

What were the biggest changes in macOS 26 Tahoe

macOS 26 Tahoe represents one of the most significant overhauls to Apple’s desktop operating system in over a decade. The update is characterized by a dramatic visual redesign, the introduction of core mobile apps to the Mac, and a complete rethinking of system-wide tools like Spotlight.

We’ll run through each new feature in detail below, including the Liquid Glass redesign, Spotlight overhaul, new apps, new iPhone features that are coming to the Mac and more…

macOS 26 Tahoe design: Liquid Glass and other interface changes 

At WWDC in June, Apple showed off some enticing new features for macOS that will be coming later in 2025. A number of new features and interface enhancements were promised, but one of the biggest changes is coming to all of Apple’s products: a new design based on a graphical user interface that Apple is calling Liquid Glass.

Apple showed off the brand new look for macOS in the WWDC keynote. As with Apple’s other operating systems, macOS Tahoe uses Apple’s new Liquid Glass effect to create reflective, glossy elements around the interface. The Liquid Glass elements will change color to reflect the content beneath as you scroll and will dynamically react. Buttons appear more curved and less flat.

You’ll see the effect in the Dock, sidebars, toolbars, and elsewhere. The menu bar is fully transparent, and you can adjust the transparency of icons in the Dock, for example. If you don’t like the new transparent look or if it affects how well you can see items, there is a way to reduce it, and in some instances, turn it in off altogether. Read: How to reduce transparency in macOS Tahoe.

This is the first time in years that Apple has made significant changes to the visual style of macOS, and it certainly makes the OS appear more modern.

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Top 3 features in macOS Tahoe from WWDC #wwdc #macostahoe #fyp

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macOS Tahoe interface changes 

Apple says the design overhaul will elevate the key elements of macOS and enhance the macOS experience. The cleaner design is intended to help the user to focus on their content rather than other distractions, while elements like the translucent menu bar will make the screen feel larger. 

Users will be able to choose to add third-party apps to the menu bar and even drag widgets and buttons from the Control Centre into the menu bar, thanks to a customizable layout, similar to iOS 18. Users will also be able to add controls for their favorite apps to the Control Centre. We have a guide to how to use Control Centre in macOS Tahoe where you can read about how to add controls, remove the ones you don’t want, and arrange them in a way that makes sense for you.

Apple is taking advantage of the Liquid Glass introduction to bring some new icon designs to the Mac as well to help give macOS a fresh look. Some of the icons look drastically different, for others the changes are more subtle. The ‘hard drive’ icon will now be replaced with one that looks more like an SSD, for example.

The new icons tend to take the form of ‘squircles’. The changes may make some third party icons less recognisable. Take a look at: 21 of the new macOS Tahoe icons with new designs for the Finder, Automator, Calendar and Contacts icons among others. You can change the icons if you want, read: How to change the icon of a macOS storage device.

macOS will also gain a feature that arrived on the iPhone and iPad with iOS 18: tinted and dark app icons.

Users will be able to personalize their Mac in other ways, too, such as changing the color of folders and adding emoji or symbols to help them identify folders. Users can also pick personalised wallpapers and choose theme colors. If you want to change your folder color read: How to change folder color and add icons in Tahoe.

New dynamic screensavers will be included. One, based on the default macOS Tahoe wallpaper, depicts the landscapes of South Lake Tahoe in a stylized artistic manner, is available in both light and dark versions. See how it looks in Tahoe’s gorgeous new screen saver.

There are up to 15 other new screensavers with images of Tahoe at various time of the day, Himalayas, Goa, The Ganges and more.

macOS Tahoe Spotlight overhaul

Spotlight has always been much more than a search tool built into macOS, helping users find anything on their Macs, make calculations and conversions, and more. In macOS Tahoe, Spotlight will be able to do even more.

Spotlight’s design and functionality have been completely rethought for macOS 26, with changes that will help Mac users get things done faster.

Rather than being a single bar, on the right-hand side of the new Spotlight search box, you will find icons for things like apps, files, Shortcuts, Actions, and clipboard. Select one of these buttons, and Spotlight’s box expands to house relevant items in an easy-to-browse view. When you search for something, you’ll see relevant filters under your search terms – click one to quickly apply it.

Not only will Spotlight be the easiest way to find anything on your Mac, but in macOS 26, Spotlight will be contextually aware so it can make suggestions based on what you are doing. Search results will be listed based on their relevance to you, and it will be possible to use new filtering options for more specific search results. 

Spotlight will also have the ability to perform actions that normally require you to be inside an app. For example, you will be able to create a calendar event, begin an audio recording, or play a podcast from within Spotlight. It will even let you fill out parameters for actions, such as typing out an email message and filling in the recipient and subject. You can essentially compose an email from inside Spotlight, without opening your email app.

This will be simplified further with Quick Keys, with which you will be able to type a short string of letters to launch an action, such as typing “sm” to start sending a message to a friend. An App Intents API will make it possible for third-party developers to add Spotlight shortcuts for their applications.

One of the most exciting new arrivals in Spotlight is Clipboard History, something we have wanted for years. Instead of being limited to pasting the last copied item, you will be able to view previous text and photos you’ve copied and re-insert them as needed. Why did it take Apple so long to offer this?

Tied to the new Spotlight is the new Apps app, which replaces Launchpad, which has been a feature of Macs for more than a decade and provides users with a Home page like view of all their apps. Instead Spotlight will be the means of finding apps. This will take some adjustment, especially if you were a Launchpad user. Learn more about Apps replacing Launchpad, and if you want to get Launchpad back we have a tutorial to show you how.

macOS 26 Tahoe: New and updated apps 

There are also lots of updates coming to Apple apps that are included with iPads, iPhones, and Macs. Many of the changes are shared across all the new apps, but there are a number of Mac-specific updates coming. 

Phone app

A Phone app on the Mac is the latest Continuity feature to come to macOS. Continuity is Apple’s name for the features that work seamlessly between Macs, iPad and iPhones, these include Handoff (which enables you to start a task on one device and switch to another to finish it), Universal Clipboard (which allows you to copy something on one device and paste it on another), and Universal Control (where you can use one mouse and keyboard to interface with more than one Mac), among other features. 

With the new Phone app, users will be able to receive their calls and voicemail on the Mac. The Phone app is getting some new features of its own, including Call Screening, which is designed to help you avoid spam calls, and Hold Assist, which means you will never have to listen to hold music again.

With Call Screening, before a call is put through, an unknown caller will have to share their name and reason for calling, and you will then be provided with that information. With Hold Assist, when you join a queue to wait for a call operator and the hold music starts, you can choose to be called back. 

Live Activities

Another feature that demonstrates the interoperability between the iPhone and Mac is Live Activities.

In iOS 18, you can see a live update on your Lock Screen relating to things like a takeaway order. Live Activities show the process of a food delivery driver, for example. Now, that functionality is coming to the Mac.

It will be powered by the iPhone Mirroring function, and will take the form of an iPhone-style widget that you will see on the screen of your Mac.

Games app

The Games app is another one that is available across all three main operating system updates: iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. As with the iOS Games app, the Games app on the Mac will bring together all the games you have on your Mac (bought from the App Store, Apple Arcade and elsewhere), as well as your friends list, achievements, and leaderboards. Tabs will make it easy to find the games you and your friends are playing.

A new Game Overlay will make it easy to adjust settings for a particular game. You’ll also be able to chat with friends and ask them to play.

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There is also a new Low Power Mode coming, which gamers will be able to turn on to maximise battery life when playing games. 

And in related news, Metal 4 is coming, which will enable next-gen features for Mac game developers, such as MetalFX Frame Interpolation and MetalFX De-noising. 

Shortcuts 

The Shortcuts app is getting an overhaul in macOS Tahoe.

Shortcuts is a tool for automating tasks and repetitive actions. For those with more specific needs, there is also Automator on the Mac, but Shortcuts is simple to use and available on iPhone and iPad as well.

In Tahoe, Shortcuts will be able to run workflows based on factors like time of day, or in response to an email from a specific person arriving. This functionality was previously limited to the iPhone and iPad versions.

There are new intelligent actions available that can be used to create Smart Shortcuts. Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT can be used to enhance these Shortcuts. Apple says that “Users will see dedicated actions for features like summarizing text with Writing Tools or creating images with Image Playground.”

Live Translation 

One of the most useful new features announced at WWDC is Live Translation. With Live Translation, you can text a friend who speaks a different language and have the translations appear in real time, or get instant translations during a phone call or FaceTime conference. Everyone gets their own translator. 

You’ll be able to take advantage of Live Translation in the Phone app, Messages, and FaceTime on your Mac.

Journal

The Journal app, which arrived on iOS in 2023, is coming to the Mac (and iPad).

Terminal

Terminal is getting a colorful redesign and the Liquid Glass treatment, with support for 24-bit color and the ability to use Powerline fonts.

Reminders

Reminders is getting some help from Apple Intelligence. Reminders will scan a website, note, email or other content, then decide the most relevant action items for you based on its findings. You’ll be able to use Apple Intelligence to automatically categorize your reminders into sections, making them easier to find

There are also changes coming to Safari, Messages, Photos, FaceTime, and Notes.