WWDC 2025: macOS Tahoe 26 Unveiled With New Design, Continuity Features and Big Update to Spotlight

macOS Tahoe 26, the subsequent main macOS replace, was previewed by Apple on the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2025. The Cupertino-based tech big launched the corporate’s new design language, dubbed Liquid Glass, for the macOS 26. The new design additionally updates the iconography, sidebars, toolbars, and different features of the consumer interface (UI). Apart from this, the brand new replace can be including extra continuity options together with the Phone app and Live Activity. A significant focus has been offered to Spotlight, which now helps a whole lot of latest actions.

macOS Tahoe 26 Compatibility

According to Apple, macOS 26, often known as Tahoe, will likely be supplied as a free over-the-air (OTA) software program replace later this 12 months for MacE-book Air and Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and newer), MacE-book Pro 2019 and 2020, iMac (2020 and newer), Mac mini (2020 and newer), Mac Studio (2022 and newer), and Mac Pro (2019 and newer). Meanwhile, the macOS Tahoe 26 Developer beta is now obtainable for suitable Mac units.

macOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

Apple is including its new design language to all of its working system. Liquid Glass is claimed to be a translucent new materials that behaves like glass does within the real-world. The toolbars and sidebars will likely be enveloped on this new design and replicate no matter reveals on the display screen. The menu bar is now fully clear, and customers will discover extra methods to customise it. Liquid Glass UI will likely be utilized to each mild and darkish modes. Colour of the folders can now even be modified, and customers can add a logo or emoji for better personalisation.

macOS 26 Liquid Glass UI
Photo Credit: Apple

New Continuity Features With macOS 26

The tech big can be increasing macOS’ continuity options with two new experiences. The Phone app will likely be added to macOS Tahoe and enable customers to relay mobile calls from their close by iPhone. Users will likely be in a position to test Recents, Favourites, and Voicemails immediately on their Mac machine, in addition to use the brand new Call Screening and Hold Assist options.

macOS 26 Phone app
Photo Credit: Apple

Live Activities can be being added to macOS by way of Continuity. When a consumer retains an iPhone close by, the Live Activities from their telephone will seem within the menu bar on their Mac. Additionally, customers can even have the opportunity to click on on a Live Activity, and iPhone Mirroring will allow them to take actions immediately from their Mac machine.

Spotlight Gets Major Upgrade With macOS 26

Spotlight, the corporate’s in-built search function for macOS, can be getting a significant improve. While customers may entry sure first-party apps by way of the search function, with macOS 26, they are going to be in a position to entry all of the apps and their iPhone apps (by way of iPhone Mirroring). Additionally, recordsdata, folders, occasions, apps, messages, and so on will likely be listed collectively to make the looks extra organised. At WWDC 2025, Apple mentioned these things can even be ranked intelligently based mostly on the relevance to the consumer.

The function can be getting new filtering choices, and can show paperwork saved on third-party cloud drives. Additionally, a brand new browse view has been added that can let customers scroll via the content material of their machine.

Apart from including extra stuff to Spotlight, its performance has additionally been improved. Apple says customers can take actions, similar to sending an e mail, making a be aware, or taking part in music or podcast, proper throughout the interface. Spotlight can even enable customers to run shortcuts and carry out actions from the menu bar within the app they’re at present working in. Additionally, with macOS Tahoe, it would include fast keys, that are quick strings of characters to let customers shortly discover their desired motion.

macOS 26 Spotlight options
Photo Credit: Apple

New Apple Intelligence Features in macOS

Just like iOS 16, the brand new macOS additionally will get a number of new Apple Intelligence options. The largest introduction is the Live Translation, which is built-in with the Messages app, FaceTime, and the Phone app, to provide real-time textual content (in Messages and FaceTime), and audio (in Phone app) translation of conversations.

Shortcuts can be getting AI capabilities, and customers can now automate extra duties utilizing the on-device and Private Cloud Compute-based AI fashions. It can be integrating ChatGPT, permitting customers to take responses from the chatbot that feed into their shortcuts. Shortcuts on macOS can now additionally run routinely based mostly on time or file actions.

Additionally, customers can leverage Apple Intelligence on Mac to assessment content material similar to emails, web sites, and notes to discover related motion gadgets for Reminders. With AI, Reminders may also be routinely categorised into sections to make them straightforward to scan.

New Apple Games App

macOS Tahoe 26 can even introduce Apple Games, a brand new app that acts as a central hub for all of the video games on a Mac machine. Users cannot solely discover their video games and quickstart them, they’ll additionally uncover new video games which might be related to them. A brand new Game Overlay function will enable customers to carry out extra actions similar to adjusting system settings, chatting with a good friend, or inviting them to play a recreation, with out leaving the sport.

The app additionally has a Low Power Mode which optimises the gaming expertise to maximise playtime on battery. Some of the upcoming titles customers can discover on the Apple Games embody Crimson Desert, InZOI, Cyberpunk 2077, Cronos: The New Dawn, Architect: Land of Exiles, Lies of P: Overture, Hitman World of Assasination, and extra.