macOS Tahoe 26 public beta is now available, marking Apple’s biggest Mac software redesign in years. With the introduction of the “Liquid Glass” visual style, a more capable Spotlight, and features that bridge the gap between Mac and iPhone, this release signals a bold shift in how users interact with their Macs. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new, how to try it, and what to consider before jumping in.

Liquid Glass Visual Redesign and Personalization

The most striking change in macOS Tahoe 26 is the system-wide Liquid Glass aesthetic. App icons, the Dock, menu bar, and sidebars now use translucent, glossy effects that dynamically respond to your desktop background and open windows. This approach aims to create a sense of depth and visual consistency across all Apple devices.

Users have more control over the look and feel of their desktops. You can adjust between light, dark, clear, or tinted modes for icons and widgets, and customize folder colors or even add emojis for faster visual identification. The updated menu bar can be toggled between transparent and traditional opaque styles, depending on your preference for contrast.

Widgets are no longer confined to the Notification Center. Now, you can place them directly on your desktop, including those from your iPhone, thanks to Continuity. Widgets, folders, and Dock icons all adopt the new styling, resulting in a unified, customizable workspace.

Smarter Spotlight: From Search to Command Center

Spotlight in Tahoe 26 shifts from a basic search tool to a robust command center. Four new buttons—Apps, Files, Actions, and Clipboard—let you quickly filter results or jump to specific workflows. Keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+1 for Apps or Cmd+4 for Clipboard streamline navigation.

The new Spotlight enables direct actions, such as composing and sending emails, creating reminders, or launching iPhone apps via iPhone Mirroring, all without leaving the Spotlight window. It learns from your habits, offering context-aware suggestions and customizable quick keys for repetitive tasks. For example, typing /pdf filters search results to PDFs, and entering a website name followed by Tab triggers an instant site search.

Spotlight’s context awareness means it understands your current app, selected text, or clipboard contents—offering options like document summarization or translation in place.

Deeper iPhone Integration: Phone App and Live Activities

macOS Tahoe 26 brings the Phone app to the Mac, allowing users to make and receive calls, view recents, contacts, and voicemails, and take advantage of iOS 26 features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. This tightens the connection between Mac and iPhone, streamlining workflows for those who move between devices throughout the day.

Live Activities from your iPhone—such as ride tracking or delivery updates—now surface directly in the Mac menu bar. Clicking these opens expanded views and, when needed, launches the related iPhone app via iPhone Mirroring for a seamless transition.

Control Center and Custom Controls

The redesigned Control Center introduces a Controls Gallery, where you can add, rearrange, and resize system toggles. Familiar controls like Timer and Low Power Mode are joined by new options, including Vehicle Motion Cues (to reduce motion sickness) and developer-created controls imported from iOS or iPadOS. Controls can be pinned to the menu bar or grouped on a custom page for quick access.

Automated Shortcuts and Apple Intelligence

The Shortcuts app now supports fully automated triggers—such as connecting to a specific Wi-Fi network, saving a file, or receiving an email from a particular sender. These automations can run in the background, saving time and reducing manual steps. Apple Intelligence, Apple’s on-device AI, powers new Shortcuts actions like summarizing notes, extracting data from PDFs, or generating images from text, with the option to integrate ChatGPT models.

Refined Finder, Messages, and Accessibility Features

Finder upgrades include customizable folder colors and emoji labels, making it easier to spot and organize projects. Changing a folder’s color automatically tags it for improved searchability. You can also set a default color scheme for all folders across Finder, the Dock, and the desktop.

Messages gains custom conversation backgrounds (animated or photo-based), live polls, and context-aware suggestions. The interface is now split into Messages, Spam, and Recently Deleted for better management, and group chats show typing indicators and a new Add Contact button for unknown numbers.

Accessibility receives a boost with features like Vehicle Motion Cues, an improved Magnifier (using Continuity Camera or webcams), more robust Braille support, and a systemwide Accessibility Reader with customizable fonts and spoken content. App Store listings now include Accessibility Nutrition Labels, detailing supported features before download.

Gaming and Performance Improvements

macOS Tahoe 26 advances Mac gaming with a new Games app, real-time overlays for system settings and friend chat, and Metal 4 technologies like Frame Interpolation and Denoising for smoother graphics. Low Power Mode extends battery life during gaming sessions, and the Games app supports over 200 Apple Arcade titles with controller navigation.

Disk image handling improves with the new Apple Sparse Image Format (ASIF), which speeds up read/write operations—especially beneficial for virtual machines and developers. Quantum-safe encryption algorithms are now supported, preparing Macs for a future where quantum computing could threaten traditional cryptography.

Other Notable Additions

  • Journal app arrives on Mac, supporting inline images, multiple journals, and map-based entries.
  • Safari receives a Liquid Glass makeover, updated toolbar, and expanded fingerprinting protection.
  • Live Translation enables real-time, cross-language conversations in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone (limited to select countries and languages initially).
  • Terminal now supports 24-bit color and Powerline glyphs for more personalized command line experiences.
  • Apple’s password manager tracks password history for easier management.
  • Reminders offer context-based suggestions and time zone support, and alarms can use custom snooze timers.

Compatibility and Installation

macOS Tahoe 26 requires a Mac with Apple silicon or select Intel models (MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019, MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, iMac 27-inch 2020, and Mac Pro 2019). Older Intel-based Macs are not supported, continuing Apple’s transition to its own processors.

Step 1: To install the public beta, first enroll your device in the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and follow the enrollment instructions.

Step 2: Open System Settings, navigate to General → Software Update, and click the ‘i’ icon next to Beta Updates. From the dropdown, select macOS Tahoe 26 Public Beta and confirm your choice.

Step 3: Download and install the update. It’s strongly recommended to back up your Mac with Time Machine before proceeding, and to use a secondary device or partition if your Mac is critical for work or daily use. Beta software can cause instability, app incompatibilities, and increased battery drain.

Cautions, Community Feedback, and Alternatives

Early testers report that while the Liquid Glass visuals and new features are impressive, the beta can introduce lag, increased battery drain, and occasional app crashes—especially on older supported devices. Some users find the new design polarizing, citing issues with icon clarity or excessive transparency. Others appreciate the streamlined workflows and customization options.

If stability is vital, consider waiting for later public beta releases or the final version in the fall. Alternatively, install on a non-primary partition or secondary Mac to explore new features without risking your main environment.

macOS Tahoe 26 public beta brings dramatic visual changes, smarter tools, and tighter Apple ecosystem integration—just be sure to weigh the risks before making the leap on your daily Mac.