macOS Tahoe 26 Brings Liquid Glass UI, Phone App, Spotlight Overhaul, and Game Enhancements

Apple has officially introduced macOS Tahoe 26, the latest macOS update named after the scenic Lake Tahoe. While the name might evoke thoughts of a full-sized SUV, macOS 26 is all about refinement, AI smarts, and deep ecosystem integration. Set to arrive this fall, it brings major design and feature upgrades—including elements first seen in iOS 26—to Apple’s desktop operating system.

Liquid Glass Redesign Transforms macOS

The standout visual change is Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language, giving macOS added depth and transparency:

A see-through menu bar and Control Center

Theme color options for personalized desktop accents

Custom folder colors and emoji support

These UI changes make macOS feel more fluid and expressive, aligning it visually with iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS.

iPhone Features Come to the Mac

Apple is deepening Continuity integration:

The Phone app arrives on Mac (iPhone required), allowing users to make and receive calls and manage contacts.

Live Activities now live in the menu bar to track food delivery, ride requests, and more—again, powered through your iPhone.

Spotlight Becomes Smarter

Spotlight sees one of its biggest revamps ever:

Perform tasks like sending emails, creating notes, and running Shortcuts directly from Spotlight.

Enhanced task execution and contextual results ranking based on usage patterns.

Smarter Shortcuts & Scheduling

Shortcuts now allow:

Scheduled automation

Trigger-based execution (e.g., when opening an app or connecting to Wi-Fi)

This adds a new layer of customization and productivity for power users.

Safari, Journal App & System Efficiency

Safari gets:

A new Liquid Glass look

Improved loading speeds

Better battery optimization

The Journal app, introduced on iPhone, is now available on Mac for reflective writing and well-being tracking.

Apple Games App & Metal 4 Arrive on Mac

Gaming on macOS gets a major boost:

The new Apple Games app features overlays for brightness, audio, controller status, and battery.

macOS Tahoe 26 introduces Metal 4, with technologies like:

MetalFX Frame Interpolation

Denoising

Improved rendering for high-fidelity titles

Apple is promising a growing catalog of games, including more AAA titles optimized for Apple Silicon.

Release Timeline & Compatibility

Developer beta available today

Public beta rolls out in July

Official release expected fall 2025

Compatible with all Macs with Apple Silicon or T2 chips (MacBook Air/Pro 2018 and newer)