Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) is takes place on Monday, and that’s after we will be taught all in regards to the subsequent model of macOS (in addition to the brand new iOS replace, the subsequent iPadOS and extra). The brand new Mac OS model may embrace some massive adjustments for the Mac, together with a redesigned interface.
Apple hasn’t made any formal bulletins in regards to the subsequent macOS to date, however that hasn’t stopped the rumors leaking out. This repeatedly up to date article retains observe of all of the stories, so you will get an concept of what to sit up for when the following model of macOS is revealed in June and arrives on Mac later within the yr.
What’s going to macOS 16 be referred to as?
Nicely first issues first, it received’t be referred to as macOS 16 apparently.
In contrast to its different working programs, Apple attaches a reputation to macOS. The present identify is macOS Sequoia, however as it’s model 15 of the software program it’s also referred to as macOS 15. Given the historical past of Apple’s macOS naming macOS 16 appeared set to be the identify of the following macOS model.
Besides {that a} report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claims that Apple will name the following model of its Mac working system macOS 26. This may convey the macOS model into line with all its working programs, so we will count on: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26 and WatchOS 26. If this occurs, it would definitely be much less complicated for everybody: proper now there’s iOS 18, macOS 15 and watchOS 11 and we get them combined up on a regular basis.
However Apple’s Mac working system is greater than a quantity. macOS additionally has one other identify. At one level the Mac working system was named after Massive Cats, however since OS X 10.9 in 2013, Apple has used names which can be related to California.
Internally on the firm, macOS 26 is codenamed Cheer, however that received’t be its last identify (see all of the code names for macOS variations in our full listing of each macOS and Mac OS X launch.)
There are some reportedly trademarked names which have circulated in recent times embrace California, Condor, Diablo, Farallon, Grizzly, Mammoth, Miramar, Pacific, Redwood, Redtail, Rincon, Skyline, and Shasta. These names have been registered by an organization that’s believed to be a shell for Apple.
But it surely seems prefer it received’t be any of these names: On June 1, Gurman reported that the identify might be macOS Tahoe, after Lake Tahoe in northern California. Lake Tahoe is famend for its deep blue water, which Gurman cites as an allusion to the consumer interface overhaul anticipated within the new macOS.
Will Apple proceed with the California-based names? Depend on it.
Apple
macOS 26: Launch date
We’ll get a primary take a look at the following model of macOS at WWDC in June, however Apple’s official launch of macOS 26/macOS 16/macOS Tahoe might be within the fall, as is often the case.
The discharge of the following macOS is prone to coincide with the new iOS replace, which is able to most likely occur just a few days after the iPhone occasion in September 2025. We anticipate the September iPhone occasion will happen on September 9, so the software program could possibly be out round September 15 or 16.
Nonetheless, Apple has beforehand scheduled the replace to macOS after iOS, generally as brief as every week, generally so long as a month, so there could possibly be an extended wait.
Right here is the current delivery historical past for macOS.
- macOS 15 Sequoia: September 16, 2024
- macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023
- macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022
- macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021
- macOS 11 Massive Sur: November 12, 2020
- macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019
- macOS 10.14 Mojave: September 24, 2018
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macOS 26: Developer and Public Beta launch dates
- Developer beta: June 9
- Public beta: July 15 (estimate)
Nonetheless, you received’t have to attend till the total launch to attempt the brand new software program out. Apple will run a developer beta in addition to a public beta, so if you wish to check out the brand new options earlier than they’re launched to most of the people it is possible for you to to take action. Each betas are free, although the developer beta requires a free registration as a developer.
The primary developer macOS Beta is often shipped at first of WWDC. In 2025 the WWDC keynote will happen on June 9. The general public beta is launched a couple of month later, often after the developer beta strikes to a second stage (beta 2). In 2024 the pubic beta arrived on July 15.
Between WWDC and the official launch within the fall, Apple will launch beta updates to builders and the general public. Anybody utilizing the beta is inspired to file bug stories utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can deal with them.
Be taught extra about collaborating in Apple’s beta software program program so you’ll be able to enroll and take a look at the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives.
macOS 26: Compatibility
- Unlikely to assist something older than 2019
- Could not assist Intel-powered Macs
As a result of macOS 16 might characteristic main interface adjustments, Apple might determine to make this the primary model of macOS that doesn’t run on Intel-based Macs.
The indicators of this began showing a few years in the past and with Sequoia solely supporting current Intel Macs (see: Intel Macs that may run macOS Sequoia for extra data). Apple needs to maneuver any customers of those Macs over to M-Collection Macs and will use this model of macOS as a cutoff level. It’s unknown if the UI adjustments rely upon {hardware} discovered solely on M-series Macs.
With that in thoughts, you’ll be able to examine the specs of your Mac, then check out what we count on macOS 16 to be appropriate with:
- MacBook Air (M1 or later)
- MacBook Professional (M1 or later)
- iMac (M1 or later)
- Mac mini (M1 or later)
- Mac Studio (M1 Max or later)
- Mac Professional (M2 Extremely or later)
There may be nonetheless an opportunity that macOS 16 will assist a number of Intel Macs. If it does the next Intel Macs are almost certainly to be coated:
- 2019 MacBook Professional
- 2020 iMac
- 2019 Mac Professional
Which means no Intel MacBook Air fashions and no Intel Mac mini fashions and solely the newest Intel fashions of the MacBook Professional, iMac and Mac Professional.
In case your Mac isn’t supported by the brand new macOS that doesn’t imply it turns into out of date. Apple helps the newest variations of macOS with safety updates, so at the least it is best to be capable of proceed to make use of your Mac for just a few extra years earlier than it’s macOS is finish of life. Be taught extra about which Macs are supported by Apple in our information to how lengthy Macs and MacBooks final and macOS compatibility: The newest model of macOS your Mac can run.
This could possibly be the yr Apple decides to make future variations of macOS for M-series Macs solely.
Foundry
macOS 26: New options
- Redesigned consumer interface coming
Listed below are among the new options anticipated within the new macOS. This listing might be up to date as extra options are reported.
Main UI change
In accordance with a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, macOS 16/26 (together with the brand new iOS and iPadOS) may have a redesigned consumer interface that’s primarily based “loosely” on visionOS, Apple’s working system for its Imaginative and prescient Professional headset. Apple needs to make its working programs extra constant throughout platforms, and visionOS would be the inspiration for it.
Particulars on how Apple will implement this new design aren’t out there but, however Apple received’t merely simply port over the visionOS UI to the Mac and be carried out with it. It can mix one of the best of each worlds and probably enable Mac customers to do extra (and with out a cursor).
Due to the visionOS’s contact implementation, it’s simple to conclude that Apple is engaged on a touchscreen Mac. {Hardware} rumors are extra prevalent than software program ones, and touchscreen functionality has not been talked about about future MacBooks or Apple shows.
Are spherical icons coming to macOS?
Apple
Apple Intelligence and Siri
Apple Intelligence made its debut with macOS 15 Sequoia and Apple is on a steady improvement path with these options. Nonetheless, the Apple Intelligence options promised for Siri in iOS 18/macOS 15 have been delayed and aren’t anticipated till later in 2025, perhaps 2026.
Apple often introduces Siri updates first on iOS, so this delay signifies that Siri updates in macOS have been pushed again even additional.
Will Apple reveal different Apple Intelligence impressed options? Or reliance on one other software to enhance ChatGPT integration? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in a late Could 2025 report that Apple received’t ship “any AI breakthroughs” at WWDC.
macOS 26: New app
- New Gaming app
- Updates to Residence app
- Updates to Calendar app
Gaming app
MacOS 16/24 will reportedly embrace a devoted gaming app, based on a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The App may even be out there for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, it’s claimed.
The Mac app will faucet into each the App Retailer’s video games part and Apple Arcade, and “video games downloaded outdoors of the App Retailer,” based on Gurman. It can additionally supply editorial content material about new video games and centralize every little thing at present present in Recreation Middle.
Residence app upgrades
Whereas specifics in regards to the Residence app haven’t been reported, a number of stories of recent sensible dwelling {hardware} have been made, so it might comply with that Apple will replace the Residence app. Nonetheless, the Residence app is extra usually used on the iPad and iPhone, so Apple may launch the Mac model of the Residence app at a later date.
Magnifier app and different accessibility options
The accessibility characteristic that first appeared on the iPhone is claimed to be coming to the Mac in macOS 16, and it’s Apple that claims so.
In Could 2025 Apple revealed some new Accessibility options coming to macOS later this yr. Amongst them are a Magnifier app which is able to work with Continuity Digicam (which helps you to use your iPhone as a webcam). With the Magnifier app, a Mac can use their iPhone digicam (or another USB digicam) to view their environment and zoom in.
Apple additionally offered particulars of a brand new Accessibility Reader coming to Macs later in 2025. This technique-wide characteristic will make textual content simpler to learn, by altering color, font, and spacing.
Different new accessibility options embrace: Braille Entry, Background Sounds, and Private Voice. Learn in regards to the accessibility options coming within the subsequent main macOS in our information.
Calendar app
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported on it and MacGeneration confirmed that Apple acquired Mayday Labs in 2024, makers of the Mayday calendar app, which used AI to “aid you set up, shield, and handle your day” earlier than it was shuttered final Could.
Additional affirmation on a brand new Calendar was noticed by Macworld contributor Filipe Espósito, who seen a job posting for a Senior Software program Engineer, Calendar Expertise. The posting, which was listed on April 29, states that Apple is searching for candidates to affix a crew that may “reimagine what a contemporary calendar may be throughout Apple’s platforms.” That’s just about a affirmation from Apple that Calendar is present process a dramatic revamp.
Messages automated translation and polls
9to5Mac stories that Messages in iOS 26 may have the flexibility to routinely translate messages and to conduct polls. It’s doable this characteristic is also in macOS 26, although generally Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next yr.
Notes and Markdown assist
9to5Mac additionally stories that the Notes app in iOS 26 will get Markdown assist. It’s doable this characteristic is also in macOS 26, although generally Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next yr.
