Like its counterparts on the other Apple devices, macOS is getting a brand new look for 2025-2026 along with a new name. Because Apple is aligning the names of all the operating systems this year, the new version of macOS be called macOS 26 rather than macOS 16. It will also take 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. 

We expect that it will be possible to install these new features on your Mac before the end of September 2025, but if you would like to try them out now, you can. A developer and public beta are out now. We have more information about joining the beta and the release date of the public beta below. 

You will find all the things you need to know about the new macOS Tahoe below, including which Macs are compatible with macOS 26 and the new features you can expect. So, stay tuned to this superguide for everything you need to know about macOS 26 Tahoe, the latest version of the beta, and all the new features that are coming.

macOS 26 Tahoe release date

• Date TBD: 15 September 2025 predicted

Apple’s official release of macOS 26 Tahoe will be in the fall, as is usually the case. We don’t know the release date for sure, but we can estimate that it will coincide with the release of the new iOS update, which will probably happen a few days after the iPhone event in September 2025. We anticipate the September iPhone event and the launch of the launch of the iPhone 17 will take place on September 9, so the software could be out around September 15 or 16.

However, Apple has previously scheduled the update to macOS after iOS, sometimes as short as a week, sometimes as long as a month, so there could be a longer wait with an October release possible.

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YouTube / Apple

macOS 26 Tahoe Beta release date

• Latest Developer beta version: Beta 9, September 2





• Latest Public Beta version: Beta 5, August 25

You don’t have to wait until the full release to try the new software out. Apple runs a developer beta as well as a public beta, so if you want to try out the new features before they are released to the general public, you will be able to do so. Both betas are free, though the developer beta requires a free registration as a developer.

Apple issues updates to the betas fairly regularly. For the first few months, updates were every two weeks, but as we get closer to the release date, they are now once a week. 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.

macOS 26 Tahoe supported devices: Which Macs get macOS Tahoe

• Requires Apple Silicon or Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip





• Apple Intelligence features require M1 or later

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 requirement is: Macs with Apple silicon 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 the 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 has confirmed that this is the last version of macOS that will run on Intel Macs. 

macOS 26 Tahoe design: Liquid Glass and other interface changes 

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Apple

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.

Interface changes 

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