macOS 16/26 launch date, beta, compatibility & new Mac OS options

Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) is takes place on Monday, and that’s after we will study 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 embody some large modifications for the Mac, together with a redesigned interface.

Apple hasn’t made any formal bulletins in regards to the subsequent macOS up to now, however that hasn’t stopped the rumors leaking out. This recurrently up to date article retains monitor of all of the experiences, so you will get an concept of what to look ahead to when the following model of macOS is revealed in June and arrives on Mac later within the 12 months.

What’s going to macOS 16 be known as?

Effectively first issues first, it received’t be known as macOS 16 apparently.

In contrast to its different working techniques, 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 called 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 can deliver the macOS model into line with all its working techniques, so we will anticipate: 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: 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 Large Cats, however since OS X 10.9 in 2013, Apple has used names which might be related to California.

Internally on the firm, macOS 26 is codenamed Cheer, however that received’t be its remaining identify (see all of the code names for macOS variations in our full checklist of each macOS and Mac OS X launch.)

There are some reportedly trademarked names which have circulated lately 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.

However it seems prefer it received’t be any of these names: On June 1, Gurman reported that the identify will probably 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.

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 will probably be within the fall, as is normally the case.

The discharge of the following macOS is more likely to coincide with the new iOS replace, which can most likely occur a couple of 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 latest 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 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 strive 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 normally shipped originally of WWDC. In 2025 the WWDC keynote will happen on June 9. The general public beta is launched a couple of month later, normally 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’ll be able to enroll and check the brand new software program as quickly because the beta arrives.

macOS 26: Compatibility

• Unlikely to help something older than 2019
• Could not help Intel-powered Macs

As a result of macOS 16 could function main interface modifications, Apple could 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-Sequence Macs and will use this model of macOS as a cutoff level. It’s unknown if the UI modifications rely on {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 anticipate 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 help a collection of Intel Macs. If it does the next Intel Macs are most probably to be lined:

• 2019 MacBook Professional
• 2020 iMac
• 2019 Mac Professional

Which means 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.

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 latest variations of macOS with safety updates, so a minimum of it is best to be capable to proceed to make use of your Mac for a couple of 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 most recent model of macOS your Mac can run.

Foundry

macOS 26: New options

• Redesigned person interface coming

Listed here are among the new options anticipated within the new macOS. This checklist 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 16/26 (together with the brand new iOS and iPadOS) may have a redesigned person interface that’s primarily based “loosely” on visionOS, Apple’s working system for its Imaginative and prescient Professional headset. Apple desires to make its working techniques 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 achieved with it. It should mix the perfect of each worlds and presumably enable Mac customers to do extra (and with no cursor).

Due to the visionOS’s contact implementation, it’s straightforward 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.

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, possibly 2026.

Apple normally 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-inspired options? Or reliance on one other device 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 Dwelling app
• Updates to Calendar app

Gaming app

MacOS 16/26 will reportedly embody 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 should additionally provide editorial content material about new video games and centralize all the things at present present in Sport Middle.

Dwelling app upgrades

Whereas specifics in regards to the Dwelling app haven’t been reported, a number of experiences of recent good dwelling {hardware} have been made, so it could comply with that Apple will replace the Dwelling app. Nonetheless, the Dwelling app is extra typically used on the iPad and iPhone, so Apple may launch the Mac model of the Dwelling app at a later date.

Magnifier app and different accessibility options

The accessibility function 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 12 months. 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 digital camera (or another USB digital camera) to view their environment and zoom in.

Apple additionally offered particulars of a brand new Accessibility Reader coming to Macs later in 2025. This method-wide function will make textual content simpler to learn by altering coloration, 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.

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 in search of candidates to affix a crew that can “reimagine what a contemporary calendar might 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 experiences that Messages in iOS 26 may have the flexibility to routinely translate messages and to conduct polls. It’s attainable this function is also in macOS 26, although generally Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next 12 months.

Notes and Markdown help

9to5Mac additionally experiences that the Notes app in iOS 26 will get Markdown help. It’s attainable this function is also in macOS 26, although generally Apple releases new options on iOS first after which macOS the next 12 months.