Apple releases macOS 26 Tahoe with upgrades to design, Spotlight and gaming
Together with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, Apple has also just released macOS 26 Tahoe. This is the last major macOS version still compatible with select Intel-based Macs and can be installed on all Macs with an Apple M-series ARM processor, including the MacBook Air, as well as the 2019 Mac Pro, the 2020 Mac mini and iMac, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Just like on the iPhone and iPad, the update introduces comprehensive design changes to the Mac – Apple's Liquid Glass design brings fresh app icons, transparent windows and new animations, giving the operating system a more modern look. One of the most significant improvements is the new version of Spotlight, which gets hundreds of new features, including the ability to send messages, open apps in a split-screen view and execute Siri Shortcuts.
Third-party cloud services, including OneDrive and Google Drive, can now also be searched via Spotlight. The brand-new Apple Games app functions as a game launcher similar to Steam, allowing you to launch titles from other stores and the Apple Arcade subscription. A game overlay lets you send messages to friends or adjust settings without having to leave a game.
A low-power mode is designed to extend battery life while gaming at the expense of performance. Metal 4, including MetalFX frame interpolation, improves gaming performance by allowing half of all frames to be generated by AI, similar to Nvidia's DLSS frame generation. Lastly, quick settings can be customized like on the iPhone. Further details on macOS 26 can be found here.
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