Apple Prepares Major macOS Visual Refresh with ‘Tahoe’ Update
Apple will reportedly unveil its next major macOS update, called ‘macOS Tahoe,’ within the coming days. According to a new report, this iteration will mark the most significant user interface redesign since the launch of macOS Big Sur in 2020.
‘Tahoe’ Signifies Major Redesign
Mark Gurman revealed the name ‘Tahoe’, inspired by the scenic Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border, in his latest Power On newsletter, highlighting the magnitude of the update, which will emphasise a substantial visual overhaul over new front-facing features. Gurman notes that macOS Tahoe will be the third major macOS release to adopt a California-based name since the company shifted its naming convention.
New Year-Based Naming Scheme
Interestingly, the report also sheds light on Apple’s new software naming scheme. Moving forward, the company will align its operating system versions with the following year. Apple will officially name the update previously anticipated as macOS 16 as macOS 26, mirroring the version jump for iOS (from iOS 19 to iOS 26) and other Apple platforms. This year-based system aims to minimise confusion for both consumers and developers. The report suggests this approach mirrors the automotive industry’s practice of naming car models for the year ahead.
Focus on UI Overhaul, Minor Feature Updates
While the primary focus of macOS Tahoe will be the UI redesign, the report indicates that new features are not entirely off the table. Gurman specifically mentions a revamped version of the Shortcuts app, which will reportedly allow users to create actions leveraging Apple’s foundation models. However, the update is expected to bring minimal advancements to Apple Intelligence.
