Brand New Features with macOS Tahoe

 Dedicated Submenus with Hotkeys

• Applications: Cmd + 1
• Files: Cmd + 2
• Actions: Cmd + 3
• Clipboard History: Cmd + 4

Natural Language Search

• Type commands like 'Send email' or 'Start timer' to auto-populate and execute actions.

Browse Mode

• Browse apps and files in a scrollable interface with suggestions based on routine and time of day.

App-Specific Search

• Type an app name and press Tab to search within that app only.

Run Actions Without Opening Apps

• Send messages or emails
• Create calendar events or reminders
• Start FaceTime calls
• Play podcasts
• Move, rename, or delete files
• Run Shortcuts
• Generate AI content via Apple Intelligence

Quick Keys for Actions

• Assign custom shortcuts (e.g., 'ar' for 'Add Reminder') to trigger actions instantly.

Clipboard History

• Access with Cmd + 4
• View and paste previously copied items
• Supports text, images, links, and files
• Items expire after 8 hours

Turn on Apple Intelligence

1. Update your iPhone and make sure it's compatible with Apple Intelligence.

2. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and turn on Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence uses generative models and outputs may vary. Check important information for accuracy.

Use Live Translation with the Messages app

1. On your iPhone, go to the Messages app, and tap the message that you want to translate.

2. In the message, tap the person's name at the top.

3. Scroll down and tap to turn on Automatically Translate.

4. Select languages for Translate From and Translate To. The first time you choose a language, tap to download the language. The languages might take a few minutes to download.

5. Go back to the original message, and send a message to start the translation. If you want to stop the translation, tap Translating [language] at the bottom of the message, then Stop Translation.

Live Translation in Messages is available in Chinese (Simplified), English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). If you're using cellular data, carrier charges may apply.

Use Live Translation with the Phone app

1. On your iPhone, tap the Phone app to start a phone call like usual.

2. During the call, tap the More button, then tap Live Translation to translate your voice.

3. Select languages for From and To. The first time you choose a language, the languages might take a few minutes to download.

4. Tap Start Translation. You then hear spoken translations during the call. If you want to stop the translation, tap Translating [language] at the bottom of the phone screen, then Stop Translation.

Live Translation in Phone app is available for one-on-one calls in English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). If you're using cellular data, carrier charges may apply.

Use Live Translation with the FaceTime app

1. On your iPhone, tap the FaceTime app, and start a FaceTime call like usual.

2. During the call, tap the More button, then tap Live Translation.

3. Select languages for From and To. The first time you choose a language, the languages might take a few minutes to download.

4. Tap Start Translation. You then hear spoken translations during the call. If you want to stop the translation, tap Stop at the top of the call.

Open the Phone App

• Find it in your Applications folder or Launchpad. It’s pre-installed with macOS 26 Tahoe.
• Click Phone in the top menu bar and select Settings.
• Navigate to the Calls tab.
• check Call Filtering to On.

What Happens Next

• When an unknown caller calls, Apple Intelligence will automatically answer and prompt them to state their name and reason for calling.
• You’ll see their response on-screen and can choose to accept, decline, or send to voicemail.

 Requirements

• Mac running macOS 26 Tahoe
• iPhone running iOS 18 or later
• Both devices must:
  • Be signed into the same Apple ID
  • Have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
  • Be within Bluetooth range (about 33 feet / 10 meters)
• iPhone Mirroring must be set up on your Mac

Enable Live Activities

• Open System Settings on your Mac.
• Go to Notifications.
• Click on Allow Notifications from iPhone
  • Allow Notifications from iPhone - On
  • Allow Live Activities from iPhone - On

One of the standout additions is the Themes system, which goes beyond the traditional Light and Dark modes. Users can now choose from Clear, Dark, and Tinted styles for icons and widgets, with the ability to apply custom colors using a built-in color picker. The Clear style emphasizes transparency, adapting to background colors, while Tinted allows full personalization of icons, widgets, and folders. 

Folder customization has also been expanded. You can now assign emoji, symbols, and custom colors to individual folders, or change the system-wide folder color from the default blue to options like purple or green. The menu bar is now fully customizable too—users can toggle between a transparent look or a more traditional background for better visibility. 

Additionally, the Control Center layout is now editable, allowing users to add controls from Mac and iPhone apps, rearrange them, and even create multiple pages of controls. Terminal gets a visual refresh with new themes, 24-bit color support, and Powerline fonts.