On September 15, 2025, in anticipation of global users, Apple officially released its latest desktop operating system, macOS 26 Tahoe, on Monday this week. Since its debut at WWDC in June this year, this system has undergone several months of developer testing and public beta versions. Now, it has finally been released to global users in its official form. As the next-generation macOS following Sonoma and Sequoia, Tahoe has achieved comprehensive upgrades in multiple aspects, such as interface aesthetics, cross-device collaboration, and artificial intelligence capabilities, and is regarded as the most representative operating system update in recent years.
From WWDC to the official version: The release process
macOS 26 Tahoe first appeared at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025) in June this year and was introduced by Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering. At that time, Federighi outlined a brand-new visual language on the stage with the keyword “Liquid Glass”. Since then, the developer preview version of Tahoe has been open to developers, and the public beta version has been gradually rolled out in July and August.
On September 15th, Apple officially released the stable version update. This time point is in line with the general prediction of the industry. The media generally believes that Apple’s decision to release the official version shortly after the autumn new product launch event aims to complement the launch of the new MacBook and iMac models, creating a synergy between hardware and software.
A comprehensive innovation in visual design
Tahoe has brought a new design language called Liquid Glass. Unlike the past interface that tended to be flat, this design emphasizes semi-transparent, frosted glass and soft lighting effects. When users are using Finder, Safari, or System Settings, they can clearly feel that the interface is more transparent and the corners of the Windows are processed in a more rounded way.
This aesthetic continues the trend Apple has followed in recent years on iOS and iPadOS, making the entire Apple ecosystem more visually unified. Designers believe that this not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also brings a more intuitive sense of layering in functionality, making it easier for users to distinguish between foreground and background Windows.
Feature highlights: From search to cross-device
The capabilities of Spotlight have been significantly enhanced
Spotlight in Tahoe is no longer limited to searching for files or applications. Users can directly complete operations such as sending emails, messages, creating reminders, or running shortcuts in the Spotlight interface. This means that Spotlight has transformed from a single search tool into an executable “command center”.
Cross-device collaboration has taken another step forward
Live Activities have been introduced to the Mac platform. Users can view real-time information such as flight status, takeout progress, or sports tracking in the menu bar. In addition, the newly added Phone app brings the calling function from iPhone to Mac, allowing users to directly manage Wi-Fi calls, voicemail, and call logs on their computers. This feature makes Mac’s position in daily office work and communication even more prominent.
Personalized and automated experiences
Tahoe supports user-defined folder colors, ICONS, and emojis, making desktop management more personalized. The control center has also been renovated, not only allowing users to adjust the layout but also enabling the addition of control items from third-party applications. Meanwhile, the shortcut command function has been expanded, allowing users to set automated tasks based on time, external device status, or file changes, further enhancing efficiency.
Apple Intelligence and translation capabilities
Apple has introduced real-time translation functionality in Tahoe, enabling instant translation of content in applications such as messages, emails, and FaceTime. Combined with the new Apple Intelligence framework, the system can better understand user needs and provide contextual responses. This direction is regarded as an important step for Apple in its AI strategy.
Game and performance optimization
The Tahoe system has added the Games app, which centrally showcases Apple Arcade and other third-party game resources. This move was interpreted as Apple’s attempt to further enhance the gaming experience on the desktop.
Meanwhile, the graphics engine Metal has been upgraded in Tahoe, supporting more powerful rendering, frame interpolation, and noise reduction functions, making Mac perform more smoothly in high-performance computing and entertainment applications. These improvements not only benefit the game but also bring a better experience to video editing and graphic processing.
Compatibility and future trends
According to the latest news from Apple, macOS 26 Tahoe is compatible with all Apple Silicon Macs and also supports some Intel Macs. However, this will be the last macOS version that supports the Intel architecture. This means that in the future, if users want to experience the latest features, they must migrate to Mac devices equipped with M-series chips.
This strategy clearly conveys Apple’s determination to completely shift to its self-developed chip ecosystem and also indicates that Intel Mac users are about to enter a state of “software obsolescence”.
User feedback and disputes
Although Tahoe has brought a large number of new features, some design adjustments have raised doubts among users. For instance, Apple has weakened the position of Launchpad, forcing users to rely more on Spotlight to launch applications. This change has sparked dissatisfaction among user groups accustomed to traditional operation methods and is regarded as “promoting a unified experience at the cost of efficiency”.
In addition, during the beta version, some users reported delays when the system switched Windows and issues such as Spotlight lagging. Although Apple claims that the official version has fixed most of the bugs, some observers still caution that these issues may recur on older hardware models.
Analysis and prospect
The release of macOS 26 Tahoe is not merely an upgrade of the operating system, but also a symbol of Apple’s strategic transformation. On the one hand, the aesthetics of Liquid Glass and the Apple Intelligence framework indicate that Apple is strengthening the consistency and intelligence of its ecosystem; On the other hand, Apple’s decision to abandon Intel demonstrates its determination to make a comprehensive move towards a fully self-developed ecosystem.
Against the backdrop of fierce global competition in AI and operating systems, the official launch of Tahoe will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the industry. It not only enhances Mac’s competitiveness in the fields of office work, creativity, and entertainment, but also offers users more possibilities in cross-device collaboration and intelligent experience. In the coming months, user feedback and system stability will be the key indicators to test the success of this version.
Conclusion
With the release of macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple has once again demonstrated its leadership in system design and functional innovation. From interface aesthetics to intelligent collaboration, from gaming experience to chip ecosystem, this version embodies Apple’s vision for the future computing experience. Despite the controversies and challenges, Tahoe has opened a new chapter for millions of users around the world.
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