macOS 26

At the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple plans to unveil the next-generation version of macOS, macOS 26. Most pre-WWDC rumors focus on iOS given that it's Apple's most popular platform, but because iOS and macOS have shared features, we do have some insight into new additions coming in macOS 26.

Both iOS 26 and macOS 26 will introduce design changes, with Apple adopting visionOS-design elements that feature rounded buttons and a glossy, glass-like look for the interface.

Apple will preview macOS 26 at the Worldwide Developers Conference, with the unveiling set to take place at the keynote event on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Developers will be provided with the macOS 26 beta that same day, and the software update will see several months of testing.

Apple will launch macOS 26 to the public in the fall.

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To mark a major redesign planned for the next-generation versions of iOS and macOS, Apple is changing the way that it names operating systems. Rather than macOS 16 following the current macOS 15 operating system, Apple is swapping to a year-based naming scheme. Because it'll be available in 2025 and 2026, Apple is going to call the next update "macOS 26." Going forward, new versions of iOS that are previewed in June and come out in September will be named for the year ahead. So macOS 26 in 2025, macOS 27 in 2026, macOS 28 in 2027, and so on.

While macOS is going to be macOS 26, it'll still have another name. Apple has used California landmark names for the Mac operating system since macOS Mavericks came out in 2013, and there's no sign that's going to change. Apple trademarked several California-themed names over the last decade, and some of the possibilities that we've yet to see used are listed below.

• California
• Condor
• Diablo
• Farallon
• Grizzly
• Mammoth
• Miramar
• Pacific
• Redtail
• Redwood
• Rincon
• Shasta
• Skyline
• Tiburon

Apple doesn't have trademarks for these names because they've expired, but that hasn't stopped the company from using names in the past. With macOS Big Sur, for example, the Big Sur trademark had expired when Apple used it.

Apple has also used names that were never on its trademarked list in the past, so it's also possible macOS 26 will get a name that's never been mentioned before.

The names Apple has already used: Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

Redesign rumors have targeted iOS 26 because it's going to get a total overhaul, but some of the design elements will also come to macOS 26.

Apple wants to simplify navigation and control, while also providing a more cohesive experience across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

iOS 26 is getting a design inspired by visionOS with an emphasis on translucency and UI elements that fade into the background to put the focus on content. Like iOS 26, macOS 26 could adopt some of that same translucency, with Apple adding a floating look for navigation bars, windows, and other parts of the UI.

Some of the effects have been described as having a glass-like or glossy look, with menu elements that can "reflect" light. Navigation bars, buttons, and menus will get more rounded edges on iOS, and we could see that in macOS too.

Apple is debuting a new standalone multi-platform app for games that will be available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. The app will let Apple users launch games, plus it will have sections for in-game achievements, leaderboards, editorial content, and communication.

While Apple plans to use the new gaming app to promote Apple Arcade, it will include all of the third-party games that are currently located in the Games section of the App Store. On the Mac, it will reportedly even tap into games downloaded from outside of the App Store.

The Siri updates that were shown off at WWDC 2024 have been delayed until 2025, and they'll likely come in iOS 26 and macOS 26, or updates to those operating systems later in the year.

Personal Context

With personal context, Siri will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.

• Show me the files Eric sent me last week.
• Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.
• Find the books that Eric recommended to me.
• Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?
• What's my passport number?

Onscreen Awareness

Onscreen awareness will let Siri see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell Siri to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask Siri to do it for you.

Deeper App Integration

Deeper app integration means that Siri will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what Siri will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.

• Moving files from one app to another.
• Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.
• Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric.
• Send the email I drafted to Eric.

According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Google could reach a deal with Apple to add Google Gemini to the iPhone in the middle of 2025. That timing suggests the functionality could be added in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. Google Gemini would be added as an alternative to ChatGPT for Siri requests.

Change Default Digital Assistant (EU Only)

Apple is planning to give users in the EU the ability to set a default voice assistant other than Siri, according to Bloomberg. Apple reportedly plans to introduce the change across multiple software platforms, so expect it to turn up on iPhone, iPad, and Mac at a minimum.

Apple working on a feature that will sync captive Wi-Fi portal login information across devices. The system will allow users to enter login details for captive Wi-Fi networks – commonly found in hotels, airports, and coffee shops – just once, then automatically sync that information across their iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

In May, Apple shares details on the new Accessibility features that it plans to add to upcoming versions of its software. This year, Apple detailed new Accessibility options that will be coming to macOS 26.

Magnifier on Mac

Magnifier on Mac uses the iPhone camera's zoom feature, beaming the feed to a Mac through Continuity Camera. There are options for creating multiple live session windows for tracking a presentation while also zooming in on a textbook, and each view can be customized with different brightness levels and color and contrast filters to suit individual needs. Magnifier on Mac is an extension of the existing Magnifier option on the iPhone, which allows the iPhone to be used to zoom in on text and detect objects.

Vehicle Motion Cues

Apple is bringing Vehicle Motion Cues, a feature designed to cut down on motion sickness, to the Mac. Vehicle Motion Cues use dots on the side of the display to match the feeling of movement with what the eyes are seeing. It's previously been available on iPhone, but is expanding to the Mac.

Braille Access

Braille Access turns a Mac into a braille note taking device integrated in the Apple ecosystem. Users can open any app with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device, for quick note taking in braille format. Braille Ready Format files can be opened from Braille Access, and an integrated form of Live Captions is supported.

Accessibility Reader

Accessibility Reader is a systemwide reading mode that will make text easier to read for users with a range of disabilities. It includes multiple text customization features with options for adjusting font, color, spacing, and more. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app and is built into the Magnifier app.

• MacBook Pro (2019 and later)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac mini (M1 and later)
• Mac Studio (all models)
• MacBook Air (M1 and later)

macOS 26 will be previewed at the WWDC 2025 keynote event on Monday, June 9. The first beta will be provided to developers on that same day, and a public beta will follow in July.

Apple will officially launch macOS 26 sometime in the fall, likely alongside iOS 26 and new iPhones.