Apple (no feature list, no release notes, security, no enterprise, developer, full installer, IPSW):
macOS Tahoe transforms the Mac experience with a stunning new design and powerful capabilities that turbocharge productivity. The new design offers users even more ways to personalize their Mac with an updated Control Center in addition to new color options for folders, app icons, and widgets. The menu bar is completely transparent, making the display feel even larger. With its biggest update ever, Spotlight offers all-new browsing views for files and apps, enhanced search, plus powerful action capabilities to quickly accomplish tasks like sending emails or creating events — all with the help of quick keys. Shortcuts get even more powerful with intelligent actions along with the ability to tap directly into Apple Intelligence models to automate complex tasks. Thanks to Continuity, the Phone app allows users to effortlessly access familiar features from iPhone — including Recents, Favorites, and Voicemails — alongside new features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. With Live Activities from iPhone now appearing directly on the Mac, staying informed about real-time events has never been easier.
The current versions of my apps are compatible. There will be some updates soon to optimize them for Tahoe.
Stephen Hackett:
I spent a large part of my weekend making over 150 screenshots, just for you.
Howard Oakley:
Whether you’re installing the upgrade because of those, or in spite of them, allow me to take you on a quick tour of how you can set its interface up, and which controls do what.
There are three sets of controls:
- Appearance mode, Light or Dark, in Appearance settings;
- Display variations to Reduce transparency or Increase contrast, in Accessibility settings;
- Icon & widget style, in Appearance settings.
That comes to a total of more than 20 combinations before factoring in icon tinting colour, so there’s no shortage of choice.
Michael Flarup:
One of the things I’ve loved most about designing macOS icons is how they let you break the frame. A blade, a pencil, a petal. Something reaching out.
With Tahoe, that era is behind us.
Adrian Schönig:
I worry how inconsistent macOS is gonna get thanks to Apple and Apple-only indie apps adopting the bubbly new look, while cross-platform apps stay on the classic/functional/flat look. Things weren’t entirely consistent before but many well-crafted cross-platform apps could (and did) feel right at home. That seems unlikely with Liquid Glass.
Kirk McElhearn:
If you’ve already installed Apple’s 26 OS RCs, it looks like there’s an update. Not at all confusing, the way it’s presented here…
Steve Troughton-Smith:
It’s becoming apparent that macOS Tahoe has a number of issues that completely break the Mac App Store for installing and updating apps, some of which that can only be fixed by booting to Recovery mode and using the command line 😅 That is an extraordinary state to launch an OS in.
See also:
Previously:
Bug Design Liquid Glass Mac Mac App Store macOS Release macOS Tahoe 26
Apple (feature list, release notes, security, no enterprise, developer):
Featuring the new design with Liquid Glass, iOS 26 brings more customization options to the Lock Screen, including a sleek adaptive time presentation and delightful 3D spatial scenes, as well as enhancements to Camera, Photos, Safari, the Phone app, and more. To help users eliminate distractions and focus on the conversations that matter most, Call Screening can screen calls from unknown numbers, while Hold Assist can hold on the line until a live agent is available. In Messages, users can now choose to screen messages from unknown senders, create polls, and add backgrounds to conversations.
iOS 26 also adds Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation in Apple Music, Visited Places in Apple Maps, and order tracking in Apple Wallet. Updates to AirPods allow creators to record content with great sound quality and remotely control content capture in the Camera app. Additionally, iOS 26 introduces the Apple Games app, an all-new personalized gaming destination designed to help users jump back into the games they love, find their next favorite, and have more fun with their friends. Also, CarPlay users will see a new compact view for incoming calls, Tapbacks in Messages, as well as widgets and Live Activities.
Craig Grannell:
The reaction during the summer’s public beta program was divisive. And while some people just hate change, Liquid Glass does invite criticism. Instead of sharpening focus, it too often muddies it due to legibility issues and distracting visual effects. On Mac, controls are overly prominent, yet on iPhone, they are relentlessly eager to disappear into a new Apple take on hamburger menus, denying users the chance to build effective muscle memory.
Niléane Dorffer:
Oh and […] everyone who has kept gaslighting us all summer assuring us that the legibility and contrast issues would get fixed before the public release.
See also:
Previously:
Design iOS iOS 26 iOS Release Liquid Glass
macOS 15.7 (full installer, security):
[Not yet listed, but presumably:] This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.
macOS 14.8 (full installer, security):
[Not yet listed, but presumably:] This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.
See also: Howard Oakley.
Previously:
Mac macOS 14 Sonoma macOS 15 Sequoia macOS Release
Jim Nielsen (via Hacker News):
Have you ever searched for “AI chat” in the Mac App Store?
I have. It’s like strolling through one of those counterfeit, replica markets where all the goods look legit at first glance. But then when you look closer, you realize something is off.
For the query “AI chat”, there are so many ChatGPT-like app icons the results are comical.
[…]
The funny thing is: the official ChatGPT desktop app from OpenAI is not even in the Mac App Store. It’s only available from their website, so it won’t show up in the “AI chat” results.
827a:
The odd thing about the Mac App Store is how needlessly embarrassing this is for Apple. The Mac App Store doesn’t need to exist, but because it does Apple is lending its authority to these apps, and every day its customers, who come to Apple expecting a level of safety and authenticity, are fooled by them.
Previously:
App Store Scams ChatGPT Mac Mac App Mac App Store macOS Tahoe 26
