Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) is coming quickly, and that’s once we will study all about macOS 16, the subsequent model of the Mac working system (in addition to iOS 19 the brand new iPhone OS and iPadOS 19). This model may embrace some huge adjustments for the Mac, together with a brand new look interface.
Apple hasn’t made any formal bulletins about macOS 16 to this point, however rumors are beginning to leak. This text retains monitor of the studies, so you may get an thought of what to look ahead to when macOS 16 is revealed in June and arrives on Mac later within the yr.
Replace June 4: 9to5Mac revealed a number of new iOS 26 options. It potential that just a few of those options may come to the Mac. Particulars within the macOS: New options part beneath.
macOS 26: Launch date
We’ll get a primary have a look at the subsequent model of macOS at WWDC in June, however Apple’s official launch of macOS 16 (probably known as macOS 26) can 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 can 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.
Nevertheless, Apple has beforehand scheduled the replace to macOS after iOS, typically as quick as per week, typically so long as a month, so there could possibly be an extended wait.
Right here is the latest 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
macOS 26: What’s going to macOS 26 be known as?
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 often known as macOS 15. So, it follows that the subsequent model of macOS can be macOS 16, besides that there’s a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claiming that Apple will name the subsequent model of its Mac working system macOS 26. This can be consistent 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 is going to definitely be much less complicated for everybody!
However macOS additionally has one other identify that isn’t tied to the quantity. Since OS X 10.9 in 2013, Apple has used names which are related to California.
Rumors of the brand new identify will swirl earlier than the official launch. 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. Internally on the firm, macOS 16 is codenamed Cheer, however that gained’t be its remaining identify (see all of the code names for macOS variations in our full listing of each macOS and Mac OS X launch.)
On June 1, Gurman reported that the identify can 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 person interface overhaul anticipated within the new macOS.
Will Apple proceed with the California-based names? Depend on it.
Apple
Here’s a listing of the latest 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 Massive Sur (model 11)
- macOS Monterey (model 12)
- macOS Ventura (model 13)
- macOS Sonoma (model 14)
- macOS Sequoia (model 15)
macOS 26: Developer and Public Betas
Nevertheless, you gained’t have to attend till the complete 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 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 initially 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 studies utilizing the included Apple’s Suggestions Assistant app in order that the corporate can deal with them.
Study extra about taking part in Apple’s beta software program program so you’ll be able to join and take a look at the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives.
macOS 26: 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 latest 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-Collection Macs and will use this model of macOS as a cutoff level. It’s unknown if the UI adjustments depend upon {hardware} discovered solely on M-series Macs.
With that in thoughts, you’ll be able to verify 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)
There’s nonetheless an opportunity that macOS 16 will assist a choice of Intel Macs. If it does the next Intel Macs are most certainly to be coated:
- 2019 MacBook Professional
- 2020 iMac
- 2019 Mac Professional
Meaning no Intel MacBook Air fashions and no Intel Mac mini fashions and solely the latest Intel fashions of the MacBook Professional, iMac and Mac Professional.
Study 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
Listed here are a few of the new options anticipated in macOS 16. This listing can 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 out there but, however Apple gained’t merely simply port over the visionOS UI to the Mac and be performed with it. It is going to mix the most effective of each worlds and probably permit Mac customers to do extra (and with no 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. Nevertheless, 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 implies that Siri updates in macOS have been pushed again even additional.
Will Apple reveal different Apple Intelligence impressed options? Or reliance on one other device to enhance ChatGPT integration? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in a late Could 2025 report that Apple gained’t ship “any AI breakthroughs” at WWDC.
House app upgrades
Plenty of what’s deliberate for the iOS 19 replace will make its method into macOS 16. Whereas specifics in regards to the House app haven’t been reported, a number of studies of latest sensible residence {hardware} have been made, so it will observe that Apple will replace the House app. Nevertheless, the House app is extra usually used on the iPad and iPhone, so Apple may launch the Mac model of the House app at a later date.
Gaming app
MacOS 16 will reportedly embrace a devoted gaming app, based on a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. The App may also 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 exterior of the App Retailer,” based on Gurman. It is going to additionally provide editorial content material about new video games and centralize every thing at present present in Recreation Heart.
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 can 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 supplied 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 final yr, makers of the Mayday calendar app, which used AI to “assist you set up, defend, 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 on the lookout for candidates to affix a group that can “reimagine what a contemporary calendar will be throughout Apple’s platforms.” That’s just about a affirmation from Apple that Calendar is present process a dramatic revamp.
Messages computerized translation and polls
9to5Mac studies that Messages in iOS 26 can have the flexibility to mechanically translate messages and to conduct polls. It’s potential this characteristic is also in macOS 26, although typically Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next yr.
Notes and Markdown assist
9to5Mac studies that the Notes app in iOS 26 will get Markdown assist. It’s potential this characteristic is also in macOS 26, although typically Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next yr.
