Apple Previews macOS 26 Tahoe: Unified Naming, Design Overhaul, and New Features

Ahead of WWDC 2025, Apple is set to unveil macOS 26, codenamed ‘Tahoe’, marking a significant shift in its operating system versioning and design language. Departing from the traditional sequential numbering, all major Apple OS releases in 2025 will adopt the ’26’ label to reflect their coverage through September 2026, aiming for a more unified ecosystem. macOS continues its tradition of California-inspired names, with Tahoe joining previous landmarks like Ventura and Sonoma.

The update brings a design overhaul inspired by visionOS, introducing more translucency, rounded menus, and a frosted-glass aesthetic for greater consistency across Apple platforms. App icons and interface elements are expected to feature rounder corners, with floating menu bars and increased interface depth for a modernized look. Apple is also updating its developer guidelines to match the new style.

macOS 26 will introduce new ‘Apple Intelligence’ features, including enhanced Shortcuts integration and potential improvements to Siri, such as deeper app integration and onscreen awareness. A new gaming app will replace Game Center, offering access to App Store and Apple Arcade titles, achievements, leaderboards, and social features, even supporting games installed outside the Mac App Store.

Other notable features include improved accessibility options, captive Wi-Fi portal syncing across devices, iPhone camera magnifier support, and vehicle motion cues for motion sickness mitigation. However, support for some older Macs will be dropped, with compatibility starting from 2019 MacBook Pro and M1 Macs onward.

The official unveiling will take place at the WWDC keynote on June 9, 2025.