With the announcement of macOS 26 “Tahoe”, Apple is taking a big step towards personalization, intelligent automation and deep iPhone-Mac integration. The latest version of the desktop operating system combines a visual makeover with powerful features – including improved Spotlight search, new phone app for Mac, AI-powered translations and a dedicated gaming platform. The update should be particularly exciting for power users, gamers and creative professionals.
Overview of the most important new features:
- Completely revised design with a transparent “Liquid Glass” look, new colors and customizable icons
- Phone app from iPhone comes to the Mac – including call filter and on-hold helper
- Spotlight now with direct app actions, quick keys and personalized suggestions
- Apple Intelligence enhanced with live translation, creative tools and intelligent shortcuts
- New games app, game overlay and support for AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077
New design: liquid glass meets personal touch
macOS 26 brings a visual update that looks both futuristic and familiar. The revised design is based on “Liquid Glass”, a new interface material with transparency effects and ambient reflections. The toolbars, dock and menu bar have been completely redesigned, now appear simpler and leave more space for content. The transparent menu bar, which visually enlarges the display, is particularly striking.
In addition to the new look, Apple places a lot of emphasis on personalization: app icons light up depending on the selected mode (light, dark, intense, transparent), folders can be colored and individualized with emojis. The Control Center can be customized more flexibly, while the icons can be freely arranged there as well as on the home screen. This brings macOS even closer to the iOS experience – without losing its desktop roots.
iPhone integration: making calls directly on the Mac
One highlight is the introduction of the Phone app on the Mac. Users can seamlessly receive and make mobile calls from their iPhone – with access to the call list, contacts and voicemail. New features include Call Filter, which automatically asks for the purpose of a call, and Hold Assist, which automatically stays on hold while you continue working on your Mac. This not only brings convenience, but also productivity.
The integration goes even further: functions such as live translation, shared notes and synchronized journals between iPhone and Mac make use across devices smoother than ever.
Spotlight becomes an action hub
Spotlight undergoes the biggest update in its history. It goes far beyond search and becomes a true command center. Users can send emails, play podcasts or create notes directly from Spotlight. Quick keys – short text commands – are used to execute actions at lightning speed. App-specific actions can also be integrated if developers use the new App Intents API.
The new Spotlight learns from habits: Anyone who regularly accesses documents or contacts will receive context-dependent suggestions. The search results are better sorted, and new filters help to narrow down search results – for example to PDFs or emails. Content on third-party cloud services is also taken into account.
Apple Intelligence: AI becomes more useful – and remains private
With “Apple Intelligence”, Apple brings AI-based functions directly to the device – and once again emphasizes the focus on data protection. Live translation works system-wide, for example in messages, FaceTime or calls. Texts are translated directly as they are entered or live during a conversation, including subtitles and original audio.
The Shortcuts app also benefits: complex automations can be enriched with AI-controlled actions, for example to create texts or compare notes and transcriptions. Users can also use models such as ChatGPT – via Private Cloud Compute, with full control over their own data.
Creatives get new tools with the Image Playground and Genmojis, which can be customized with styles, expressions and accessories. This turns an emoji into a personalized mini avatar – including an oil painting or vector look.
Focus on gaming: Apple launches attack on the Mac as a gaming platform
With Apple Games, Apple is launching a central platform for Mac gaming for the first time. Installed titles, recommendations and social features can be found here. Particularly exciting is the new Game Overlay, which offers quick access to chat, invitations or system settings – without leaving the current game.
macOS Tahoe also supports Metal 4, which brings new features such as MetalFX frame interpolation and denoising – ideal for graphically complex titles. With games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Crimson Desert or Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Apple shows that it takes AAA gaming on the Mac seriously. The optimization for M3 and M4 chips, including ray tracing, should please users of the latest Macs in particular.
Conclusion: macOS Tahoe makes the Mac more personal, smarter and more gamer-friendly
With macOS 26, Apple is bringing a well thought-out update that takes design, productivity and creativity to a new level – without losing its roots as an efficient desktop operating system. Deeper iPhone integration, Spotlight as an action hub and Apple Intelligence make the system more useful than ever. The new Games app also shows that gaming on the Mac is no longer a sideshow.
Availability:
The public beta will start in July via the Apple Beta Software Program, the final release will appear in autumn 2025 as a free update. Apple Intelligence features require Macs with an M1 chip or newer.
