Apple has announced the latest version of MacOS on WWDC 2025, its annual developer conference.
According to Apple, the new version of MacOS Tahoe 26, the operating system used by MacBooks and Macs, comes later in the year, but before then an early beta version has been made available to developers to help ensure their apps work well with the new operating system. We’ll show you how to download MacOS Tahoe 26 developer Beta if you want to try it early.
Then Apple launches a public beta that allows anyone with a compatible Mac to test the operating system – even if you only have to do this with the understanding that this is an early version of the software and could lack features and could include errors (after all, the reason for releasing a beta version to help test the software and highlight problems).
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As usual, MacOS Tahoe 26 will be a free update for anyone with a compatible Mac or MacBook, so for most people I recommend sticking to the official launch around October or November, which at the time most, if not everyone, of the errors and problems found in the beta version, has been resolved.
Until then, read on for all the information we know about MacOS Tahoe 26 so far, plus the new features we are most excited about.
Cut to the hunt
- What is it? The latest operating system for Macs and MacBooks
- How much does it cost? As usual it is free for compatible Macs
- When is it out? Developer Beta Out Now, Public Beta Out in July 2025, Final Release Autumn 2025
Which Macs and MacBooks are compatible with MacOS Tahoe 26?
These are all Mac and MacBook devices that will be able to run MacOS Tahoe 26 according to Apple:
MacBook Air M1 or later
MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 or later
MacBook Pro 2020 or later
MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 With four Thunderbolt 3 -ports
iMac 2020 or later
Mac Mini 2020 or later
Mac Pro 2019 or later
Mac Studio 2022 And later
A new look
The rumors were right – Apple has revised the appearance of macOS (as with its other operating systems) with a unified design language which means that macos, iPados and iOS will look the same.
Known as ‘floating glass’ this part of the user interface doesn’t just look good, it responds depending on the task you perform.
Dock, sidebar and toolbars in MacOS 26 Tahoe have been redesigned with the menu bar now completely transparent. The idea behind this seems to be to make the user interface mix in the background, giving prominence what you are working on on the screen.
Appicons have also got a new look to fit into the liquid glass design, and these will also change depending on whether you use the light or dark macOS theme.
Apple is also expanding the customization options for MacOS 26 Tahoe, making it even easier to make the operating system fit your style.
A new numbering convention
At WWDC, Apple announced the official name for the latest macos: Tahoe. Once again, based on a landmark in Apple’s native California.
More surprising (if you did not follow the rumors), Apple also confirmed that there will be a new numbering scheme for macOS and its other operating systems. Instead of numbering according to version (the current version is MacOS 15), it will now be based on the year, so there will be no macOS 16, but macOS 26, as well as iOS 26, iPados 26 and more.
This is quite a change, but it shows how serious apple is about to make all its operating systems feel like they are parts of the same ecosystem.
Spotlight in … Spotlight …
Spotlight has been an important part of macos in ages, so you can find and open applications that you have installed. On WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that MacOS Tahoe 26 will contain the ‘biggest update ever’ to become light, with all search results across apps, files, folders, messages and more are all listed together and ‘ranked intelligently based on relevance to the user.’
Advanced filter controls should help you narrow your results, and Spotlight will also be able to search for files stored on third -party shooting, such as Google Drive or OneDrive.
You will also be able to perform actions right from Spotlight – so you can send an E email, play a media file and more without having to open the app first. These can also be used via keyboard shortcuts, and according to Apple, Spotlight learns how to use your Mac and will offer you personalized actions for tasks you perform frequently. The example Apple quickly gives a message to someone you regularly talk to.
Live translation
As you would expect, Apple has put lots of AI features in MacOS Tahoe 26, and maybe the most interesting (and useful) live translation that automatically translates messages depending on the language of the person you are talking to (and their answers will be translated to you).
During FaceTime calls, live image texts are also displayed, and if you are old school and still use the phone app, you can see a translation of what they are talking about -and all this is done on device so that conversations remain private.
Make calls from the phone app directly from MacOS Tahoe 26
A running theme in the WWDC 2025 seems to make Apple’s ecosystem of devices work better together, and with continuity, the app that gives you access to your iPhone via your Mac, you can now use the phone app to answer phone calls on your Mac instead of having to pull your iPhone out of your pocket.
The phone app in MacOS 26 is designed to be instantly known to iPhone users and you can access recent calls, favorite contacts and your voicemails – plus practical features such as call screening and hold assist.
If someone from an unknown phone number calls, call screening will answer the call and ask for information so you can decide whether to answer the call or not.
If you are put on wait, keep assist with your seat in line so you can work on your Mac until your turn comes up. Practical!
Mac Gaming is getting better with the Apple Games app
Gaming on a Mac is no longer the joke it used to be thanks to a steady stream of AAA games coming to macOS, and with MacOS Tahoe 26, it seems that games could get even better.
A new app called Apple Games will serve as a launcher for all your games, as well as highlight new games that fit your taste. It is not clear whether this app only shows games you have purchased and installed from the Apple App Store, or whether you can add games from other services, such as Steam. Hopefully it will be the latter.
A game overlay, well known to PC players using Windows 11 and Steam, is also included in the Apple Games app and allows you to quickly change your settings and chat with friends without leaving the game.
A new low -power mode should also do playing games on a MacBook that is less demanding of the battery, so you have to be able to play disconnected longer – though I hope it doesn’t have too much influence on game performance.
