macOS Tahoe Now Available With Liquid Glass Design, Phone App, Spotlight Actions and More

[paulvee]

I don't have as many problems with the new OS as most, but I am experiencing one serious usability issue and that is: mounted disks are much more prone to dismount and disappear. I don't know if it's in how the computer is talking to the disks or the hubs, but it's not a good thing. I am hoping for an update soon and will convey this to Apple.

I remember, perhaps in the first edition of "Insanely Great," how Steve Jobs really got into round rects as a design form. I think these rounded corners go beyond a round rect, but they don't bother me as much as some. I can get used to most aesthetic changes, but hardware usability is another thing altogether. If you remember what System 6 looked like, back in the 90s, compared to this now - with all the changes in between, it just happens. Engineers and designers needing to justify their existence. I remember hating the first version of OSX. I still hate that version, but they improved it a lot along the way.

It's important to give feedback to Apple, rather than just post it here.

 

[paulvee]

Here is where to send feedback, by the way:

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

 

[edubfromktown]

wouldn't touch display contrast, it'll **** up any media rendition too (it literally increases the whole screen's contrast, not just UI).

One small kick of the slider to the right got my cheapy AOC 4k 27"display (attached to M1 Max Studio) darn close in overall color accuracy to an adjacent 22MD4KA-B UltraFine 4K 21.5" display that I use with my Pro M3 MPB.

 

[Devnul0]

Pull it down then push it back up and it will go to the top.

I can't get this to work. It still leaves a thin gap between the top of the window and the menu bar. I can get the window to the left edge of the screen by pushing it off and carefully dragging it back on, but I can't seem to get rid of the gap against the menu bar.

For that matter, the stupid rounded corners of the windows leave background bleeding through and make things harder to see, too.

 

[kolizion]

Day 2 of trying to get into Tahoe. I should have never upgraded to 15.7.

I assume that's what's is broken even tho I figured you needed to update to update.

I was wrong.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

Day 2 of trying to get into Tahoe. I should have never upgraded to 15.7.

I assume that's what's is broken even tho I figured you needed to update to update.

I was wrong.

I’m not fully understanding. Are you saying since you upgraded to 15.7 that the option of macOS 26 isn’t making itself available?

 

[Minuteman3]

"Upgrade" from RC1 to the Final release went well.

Although I'm not really taking any credit for it: two of the bugs I reported that were present in the RC were corrected in the final version!! (1) When coming out of the screensaver, I had the dock disappear automatically. Had to click on the upper right corner in order to keep the dock on - FIXED (so far), and (2) when I manually put my iMac to sleep I noted when I woke it up the screensaver would be running. Now it's not (so far!).

Cheers!!

Ken

UPDATE - Nope, neither is fixed!! I must have just been lucky!!

 

[TheGenerous]

wait!

 

[mjdem]

I’ve had the Tahoe on my laptop for almost a month and it is not growing on me so much so that I may revert. I like the Liquid Glass on my phone and tablet but find it is slightly annoying on my laptop. The extreme rounded corners etc just make everything busy looking there is just too much wasted space in the music app. This is not an issue in in the ios version. The only new feature I really is spotlight light and the clipboard. Too much of the viewer “updates” are purely cosmetic with few real new features. That being said it is still miles ahead of windows.

 

[dredlew]

I can't believe that Apple released something as primitive and AWFUL as "Apps" and took away everyone's Launchpad.

Can't customize it or resize it or rearrange icons or make folder of make categories.

I used to have 3-click (at MOST) access to EVERYthing (Launchpad -> Folder -> App).

I *hate* this 'new' piece of the UI and making sure my wife's MacBook does NOT update until Apple fixed this HORRIBLE decision.

For the record - the move to "Apps" should have been OPTIONAL. For the people who like it, they should have access to it.

I don’t get all the fuss about Launchpad. I would only use it if I was lazy and wanted to browse around for what I have installed. Slightly more visually enjoyable than browsing the Applications folder.

If I want to get stuff done, I press command-spacebar to bring up Spotlight, type 2-3 characters, hit enter. App, file, or folder is open. The hands never leave the keyboard. This is way more efficient than using the mouse to click and swipe around Launchpad. I don’t mind at all that it’s gone.

I understand that Apple can’t completely get rid of it, mainly for the novice user who doesn’t know shortcuts or where the Applications folder is. Hence, the new “Apps” replacement. But if you’re an advanced or power user, I don’t see any need for this tool.

 

[mac-rumorist]

Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26, the newest version of the macOS operating system designed to run on the Mac. macOS Tahoe is a free update that can be downloaded today on compatible Macs. macOS Tahoe can run on all Apple silicon Macs, as well as the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 and later iMac, and the 2019 and later Mac Pro.

Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. While you're installing macOS Tahoe, take a look at our macOS Tahoe roundup to get an in-depth overview of all of the new features. Apple has also released macOS 15.7 and macOS 14.8 for those unable to upgrade to macOS Tahoe. ‎

macOS Tahoe adopts Apple's Liquid Glass design, and the translucent, glass-like look extends to desktop icons, folders, the Dock, in-app navigation, menus, toolbars, the Control Center, and more. The menu bar and Control Center are more customizable and folders can use custom colors and emoji.

Spotlight got a major update with improved search and the ability to execute hundreds of actions without ever having to open a Mac app. Safari has an updated Tab design, Live Activities now sync over from the iPhone, the Phone app has expanded to the Mac, and there's a new Games app. Apple's release notes for macOS Tahoe are below.Get More Info

For a deeper look at all of the new features in macOS Tahoe, we have a dedicated macOS Tahoe roundup, plus a macOS Tahoe forum for discussing the changes.

Article Link: macOS Tahoe Now Available With Liquid Glass Design, Phone App, Spotlight Actions and More

I'd like to add my 2 cents.

Big rounded radius corners on windows. Dearly wish they were less rounded as *that* radius eats space everywhere else. I noticeable feel like I lost significant real estate per window. There are border (space and shades) around everything now.

Secondly, the top bar, floating icons that turn into another colour, are simple the reverse of eye candy and feel like a junior designer got too much responsibility. What's the point in floating, then changing the colour of the icons, when the content behind it is obscured anyway? I truly would like a choice now, for both niggles.

Otherwise it's OK so far, even a little 'snappier' due to the faster HCI timeout setting (my assumption).

 

[Camel993]

Update:

26.0.1 is out it works in compact mode now in 15.7

Okay if you choose Separate tab layout it works....I guess because they removed compact mode from Tahoe.

Just updated to safari 26 on 15.7 and now I can't close tabs with X...wtf first time staying away from freshly realised OS...

 

[mielie]

I usually give Apple the benefit of the doubt and stick things out for awhile. It's surprising what you can tolerate if you grit your teeth and just get on with it. But unfortunately not so in this case. I've been a loyal Apple supporter for 20+ years and today is the first day I downgraded my OS. I'm going back to Sequoia and hoping the monstrosity of Mac OS 26 is fixed soon, otherwise I will be going to Linux.

The UI on this OS is just TERRIBLE. From a company that used to write the book on how to do UI this is more than just disappointing. It feels like Apple is trying to force the wedding of iOS and Mac OS, maybe they feel at some point their should be a unity in the UI, but iPad is touch screen and Mac is not. It just does not work. Although this does now make the notch look acceptable, but thats more a statement of how terrible this new UI is.

 

[mac-rumorist]

I'd like to add my 2 cents.

Big rounded radius corners on windows. Dearly wish they were less rounded as *that* radius eats space everywhere else. I noticeable feel like I lost significant real estate per window. There are border (space and shades) around everything now.

Secondly, the top bar, floating icons that turn into another colour, are simple the reverse of eye candy and feel like a junior designer got too much responsibility. What's the point in floating, then changing the colour of the icons, when the content behind it is obscured anyway? I truly would like a choice now, for both niggles.

Otherwise it's OK so far, even a little 'snappier' due to the faster HCI timeout setting (my assumption).
View attachment 2550483View attachment 2550486View attachment 2550487

Follow up: I just noticed Safari versus Chrome, Chrome retains the better corner radius - so it *is* possible!

 

[Aggedor]

Update:

26.0.1 is out it works in compact mode now in 15.7

Okay if you choose Separate tab layout it works....I guess because they removed compact mode from Tahoe.

Just updated to safari 26 on 15.7 and now I can't close tabs with X...wtf first time staying away from freshly realised OS...

Where is 26.0.1 out??

 

[Camel993]

Where is 26.0.1 out??

Popped up at the system settings for me at the software update section. Mind you, I'm still over 15.7, holding out until Thaoe gets some stability and the apps are mostly updated.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I don't think I like this update very much. I hate the curve windows, which show part of the desktop in the top left and right corners. It's actually throwing me off, even if it's small.

Also, you have borders on top of borders, like in the app store on the left side. Whose idea was that. Why couldn't everything be blended in together.

 

[t2jd1967]

Well, having upgraded on Wednesday, I must admit I like it. It has grown on me quite quickly and more than I expected. Is it perfect? No, I also think that some of the UI elements are larger than necessary, in particular the tabs in Terminal now take up more space. Also, similar to iOS 26, I don't really care for the pill-shaped radio buttons, I liked them just the way they have been since I think the original iOS that came with my iPhone 3G.

On the upside, I do like the transparency quite a lot and I think it works better on the Mac than on the iPhone or the Watch. And macOS feels snappier too, in particular Spotlight, which is how I start all apps (the Dock is always hidden, I don't use it at all, just takes ups valuable space). Also, the iPhone call integration is just great, finally Apple has Continuity working properly, taking calls whilst while working away on my Mac (with a proper external screen of course). My daughter even commented how incredibly good the call quality was and that was handsfree with the MacBook speakers and mics.

Running on a MacBook M4 Pro Max with 64GB, I couldn't be happier with this release. Zero problems so far.

 

[gfbio]

I usually give Apple the benefit of the doubt and stick things out for awhile. It's surprising what you can tolerate if you grit your teeth and just get on with it. But unfortunately not so in this case. I've been a loyal Apple supporter for 20+ years and today is the first day I downgraded my OS. I'm going back to Sequoia and hoping the monstrosity of Mac OS 26 is fixed soon, otherwise I will be going to Linux.

The UI on this OS is just TERRIBLE. From a company that used to write the book on how to do UI this is more than just disappointing. It feels like Apple is trying to force the wedding of iOS and Mac OS, maybe they feel at some point their should be a unity in the UI, but iPad is touch screen and Mac is not. It just does not work. Although this does now make the notch look acceptable, but thats more a statement of how terrible this new UI is.

Taohe looks so bad that it seems they're kidding they users. We were used to minimalistic and polished designs, and now we have a pills and circles scattered through the UI. Abominable!!

My suspect is that they're gradually making the UI more touch-friendly to then introduce a Macbook touch, which would be an even more abominable creature that Steve and Jony always repelled. We need Jony back!!

 

[Jordan Klein]

Where is 26.0.1 out??

It looks like Safari 26.0.1 is out but not Tahoe 26.0.1.

 

[Camel993]

It looks like Safari 26.0.1 is out but not Tahoe 26.0.1.

They just realised it for 15.7 because they ****ed up the tab layout. At the Compact option, you couldn't close the tabs or access the address bar over Safari 26.0.m can't see safari 26.0.1 for Safari over Tahoe,

 

[kooBi_]

Had it since the dev betas. It's awesome, the expanded functionality of the search bar is epic.

 

[diegog]

I'd like to add my 2 cents.

Big rounded radius corners on windows. Dearly wish they were less rounded as *that* radius eats space everywhere else. I noticeable feel like I lost significant real estate per window. There are border (space and shades) around everything now.

Secondly, the top bar, floating icons that turn into another colour, are simple the reverse of eye candy and feel like a junior designer got too much responsibility. What's the point in floating, then changing the colour of the icons, when the content behind it is obscured anyway? I truly would like a choice now, for both niggles.

Otherwise it's OK so far, even a little 'snappier' due to the faster HCI timeout setting (my assumption).
View attachment 2550483View attachment 2550486View attachment 2550487

The color shift also happens in OS. This necessary fix this is a can of worms.

 

[diegog]

I don't have as many problems with the new OS as most, but I am experiencing one serious usability issue and that is: mounted disks are much more prone to dismount and disappear. I don't know if it's in how the computer is talking to the disks or the hubs, but it's not a good thing. I am hoping for an update soon and will convey this to Apple.

I remember, perhaps in the first edition of "Insanely Great," how Steve Jobs really got into round rects as a design form. I think these rounded corners go beyond a round rect, but they don't bother me as much as some. I can get used to most aesthetic changes, but hardware usability is another thing altogether. If you remember what System 6 looked like, back in the 90s, compared to this now - with all the changes in between, it just happens. Engineers and designers needing to justify their existence. I remember hating the first version of OSX. I still hate that version, but they improved it a lot along the way.

It's important to give feedback to Apple, rather than just post it here.

There should be a setting where one could adjust the corner radius "Big and Small".