macOS Tahoe: New Features and Updates

macOS Tahoe: A Comprehensive Overview of New Features

During Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple unveiled its latest operating system, macOS Tahoe. This release introduces a range of enhancements centered around Apple Intelligence, improved continuity with iPhones, and a revamped Spotlight search functionality.

A New Aesthetic: Liquid Glass Design

A striking visual overhaul, dubbed “Liquid Glass,” is being implemented in macOS Tahoe. This design aims for a more polished and customizable user interface. Users will finally have the ability to personalize folder icons with a wider spectrum of colors.

Similar to the aesthetic introduced in iOS 26, the macOS Tahoe redesign incorporates a more reflective and transparent style, mimicking the appearance of actual glass.

Enhanced iPhone Integration Through Continuity

macOS Tahoe fosters a closer connection with the user’s iPhone. Live Activities from iOS – the dynamic notifications appearing on the lock screen and Dynamic Island – will now be mirrored on Mac devices.

A dedicated Phone app is being introduced to Mac products for the first time, leveraging Continuity features. This app includes updates mirroring those found in the iOS Phone app, such as Call Screening and Hold Assist.

Furthermore, Live Translation capabilities will be extended to the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime applications.

Spotlight Reimagined with Apple Intelligence

Significant upgrades are being delivered through Spotlight, the macOS search tool. Powered by Apple’s AI, Spotlight will now provide results in a more “intelligent” manner.

The system will predict the user’s likely search intent and suggest relevant actions based on current tasks or activities.

Streamlined Actions Directly from Spotlight

Users will be able to initiate actions directly from Spotlight search results. During the WWDC keynote, an Apple representative demonstrated composing and sending an email – including subject line and body text – entirely within Spotlight, without launching the Mail application.

Customizable Quick Keys

The upgraded Spotlight also introduces quick keys, allowing users to define short character strings to trigger specific actions. Apple cited examples such as typing “AR” to create a reminder and “SM” to initiate a message.

Shared Updates from iOS 26

macOS Tahoe will also incorporate numerous updates initially released for iOS 26. These include enhancements to Genmoji and Image Playground, AI-powered reminders, a new Apple Games application, interactive backgrounds and polls within Messages, and a redesigned FaceTime landing page.

The Journal app is also slated for release on macOS Tahoe.

Availability

Apple has announced that macOS Tahoe will be available this fall. A public beta program will commence next month, and developers currently have access to an early build of the operating system.