Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) is coming quickly, and that’s after we will study all about macOS 16, the following model of the Mac working system (in addition to iOS 19 the brand new iPhone OS and iPadOS 19). This model may embody some massive adjustments for the Mac, along with extra Apple Intelligence options.
Apple hasn’t made any formal bulletins about macOS 16 to date, however rumors are beginning to leak. This text retains observe of the experiences, so you may get an concept of what to stay up for when macOS 16 is revealed in June and arrives on Mac later within the yr.
macOS 16: Launch date
We’ll get a primary have a look at the following model of macOS at WWDC in June, however Apple’s official launch of macOS 16 will probably be within the fall, as is often the case.
The discharge of macOS 16 is prone to coincide with the launch of iOS 19, 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 might 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 might be an extended wait.
Right here is the current transport 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 Large Sur: November 12, 2020
- macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019
- macOS 10.14 Mojave: September 24, 2018
macOS 16: Developer and Public Betas
Nonetheless, you gained’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 originally of WWDC. In 2025 the WWDC keynote will happen on June 9. The general public beta is launched a few 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 experiences utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can deal with them.
Be taught extra about taking part in Apple’s beta software program program so you may join and check the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives.
macOS 16: What’s going to macOS 16 be referred to as?
In contrast to its different working programs, Apple attaches a reputation to macOS. The present title is macOS Sequoia, however as it’s model 15 of the software program it’s also called macOS 15. Since OS X 10.9 in 2013, Apple has used names which might be related to California.
Rumors of the brand new title will swirl earlier than the official launch. Some reportedly trademarked names which have circulated in recent times embody 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. Internally on the firm, macOS 16 is codenamed Cheer, however that gained’t be its closing title (see all of the code names for macOS variations in our full record of each macOS and Mac OS X launch.)
Our guess for 2025 is Apple will proceed the Sequoia tree theme with Redwood, however there aren’t any clear rumors in regards to the title.
Will Apple proceed with the California-based names? Rely on it.
Apple
Here’s a record of the current macOS names based mostly on locations in California:
- OS X Mavericks (model 10.9)
- OS X Yosemite (model 10.10)
- OS X El Capitan (model 10.11)
- macOS Sierra (model 10.12)
- macOS Excessive Sierra (model 10.13)
- macOS Mojave (model 10.14)
- macOS Catalina (model 10.15)
- macOS Large Sur (model 11)
- macOS Monterey (model 12)
- macOS Ventura (model 13)
- macOS Sonoma (model 14)
- macOS Sequoia (model 15)
macOS 16: Compatibility
As a result of macOS 16 might characteristic main interface adjustments, Apple might resolve 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 info). Apple desires to maneuver any customers of those Macs over to M-Sequence 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 may test the specs of your Mac, then check out what we count on macOS 16 to be suitable 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)
Be taught extra about which Macs are supported by Apple in our information to how lengthy Macs and MacBooks final.
This might be the yr Apple decides to make future variations of macOS for M-series Macs solely.
Foundry
macOS 16: New options
Listed below are a number of the new options anticipated in macOS 16. This record will probably be up to date as extra options are reported.
Main UI change
In line with a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, macOS 16 (together with iOS 19 and iPadOS 19) can have a redesigned person interface that’s based mostly “loosely” on visionOS, Apple’s working system for its Imaginative and prescient Professional headset. Apple desires 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 accessible but, however Apple gained’t merely simply port over the visionOS UI to the Mac and be carried out with it. It can mix the most effective of each worlds and presumably permit 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 growth 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? Reviews on how Apple Intelligence will evolve haven’t but appeared.
House app upgrades
Lots of what’s deliberate for the iOS 19 replace will make its manner into macOS 16. Whereas specifics in regards to the House app haven’t been reported, a number of experiences of recent sensible house {hardware} have been made, so it might comply with that Apple will replace the House app. Nonetheless, the House app is extra typically used on the iPad and iPhone, so Apple may launch the Mac model of the House 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 every other 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 embody: Braille Entry, Background Sounds, and Private Voice. Learn in regards to the accessibility options coming within the subsequent main macOS in our information.
