macOS Tahoe 26
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.
I spent a large part of my weekend making over 150 screenshots, just for you.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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:
- Design Is How It Works
- macOS Tahoe 26 RC
- macOS Icon History
- One Size Does Not Fit All
- appleOS 26 Public Betas
- Assorted Notes on Liquid Glass
- macOS Tahoe 26 Announced
- macOS 15 Sequoia
