Apple’s big, Liquid Glass-ified update for macOS is coming out of beta and finally launching on September 15th. First announced at WWDC 2025 and put through the usual rounds of developer and public betas, macOS Tahoe 26 is coming to all users with compatible MacBooks and Mac desktops.
This update includes Intel-based Macs, but Tahoe will be the last major software upgrade for holdouts that haven’t migrated to M-series Macs yet.
Tahoe brings the biggest UI and design overhaul that we’ve seen on Macs in quite some time. Apple has branded its design as Liquid Glass, a glass-inspired look that uses lots of transparency effects. It also introduces new customizable theming options and some power-user features for Spotlight, allowing you to take action with apps by just typing into the launcher. There’s also other handy features like a clipboard history, dedicated Phone app, and a proper Games app.
I’ve periodically tested macOS Tahoe 26 throughout the developer and public beta phases, and it’s been, well, fine. I haven’t been terribly impressed by Liquid Glass’s bold new look, but I feel that it’s a bit more innocuous on a large computer display than glass-ifying your phone. Tahoe’s additions to Spotlight and other new features like the clipboard history are much more useful, and they’re the ones that I’m most excited to continue using now that they’re ready for a full rollout.
