WWDC25 is sort of right here, with iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 presumably set to steal the highlight. Nonetheless, the newest rumors point out you shouldn’t rely macOS 16 out simply but, as it’d carry extra upgrades than anticipated. It won’t even be known as macOS 16, if Apple’s rumored change to year-based launch names occurs. (We’ll discuss with it as macOS 16 till the massive change occurs.)
With June 9 quick approaching, right here’s a breakdown of what macOS 16 may carry to the desk.
What to anticipate from macOS 16 (or 26) at WWDC25
Since its inception greater than 20 years in the past, macOS has developed from the shiny, skeuomorphic look of Apple’s Aqua design language in 2000 to the clear minimalism of macOS Huge Sur in 2020, shaping how thousands and thousands of individuals work and create on their Macs.
Latest updates largely centered on refinement, however Apple seems poised to make a daring leap with its subsequent main macOS launch. As WWDC25 approaches, whispers of a sweeping, visionOS-inspired redesign, a attainable rebranding of the versioning system, and the symbolic selection of “macOS Tahoe” for this 12 months’s launch recommend that the Mac’s software program is heading into a brand new period.
Rumors point out macOS 16 will harmonize much more intently with Apple’s broader ecosystem, each visually and functionally.
visionOS-like redesign
Apple final gave macOS a giant design overhaul with Huge Sur. This 12 months, the corporate plans a visionOS-inspired design refresh to all its working programs, together with macOS 16, for a extra constant visible expertise throughout units. A Bloomberg report mentioned the revamp will “essentially change the look of the working programs.”
visionOS, the working system that powers Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, incorporates a glossy, glasslike UI and up to date app icons. Mimicking that ought to give macOS 16 a extra trendy and polished look. As a part of the design overhaul, Apple reportedly will replace the icons, menu, apps, home windows and different features of the Mac consumer interface.
Stage Supervisor 2.0
Apple may unveil a revamped Stage Supervisor for multitasking on the iPad with iPadOS 19 at WWDC25. Apparently, the adjustments will make “managing apps and home windows smoother and extra productive than ever.” Provided that macOS packs the identical characteristic, you may anticipate the Stage Supervisor implementation on the Mac to obtain some much-needed enhancements.
A brand new versioning system
Final 12 months’s macOS Sequoia marked the fifteenth main launch of Apple’s desktop working system. Logically, the following main launch ought to carry the model quantity 16. Nonetheless, that may not occur. An explosive report suggests Apple may change the naming scheme of its working programs this 12 months, shifting to a year-based conference as a substitute.
So, as a substitute of macOS 16, the corporate may unveil macOS 26 at WWDC25. Likewise, as a substitute of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19, we would get iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This transfer would carry consistency, as all Apple working programs would carry the identical model quantity.
New rumor signifies macOS 16 (or 26) can be known as ‘Tahoe’
Over the previous few years, Apple’s advertising and marketing staff has named macOS releases after notable places in California, typically reflecting the size of the replace. With the following macOS model anticipated to debut a visionOS-inspired UI overhaul, Apple seems to have chosen Lake Tahoe as its inspiration. The corporate may market the upcoming launch as macOS Tahoe.
“The deep blue lake can also be recognized to point out the reflection of the sky and surrounding mountains — one thing that flicks on the hanging visuals of the brand new consumer interface,” wrote Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his Energy On e-newsletter.
Drop help for older Intel Macs
One other rumor signifies macOS 16 may drop help for a number of older Intel-based Macs, together with the 2018 MacBook Execs and the iMac Professional. An AppleInsider report says that going ahead, Apple will solely help Intel Macs launched in 2019 or later, discontinuing help for all earlier fashions. This is able to imply macOS 16 would help solely the 2019 Mac Professional, 2019 MacBook Professional and the 2020 iMac, alongside all M1 and newer Apple silicon-powered Macs.
No main Apple Intelligence enhancements
The spotlight of final 12 months’s WWDC, Apple Intelligence didn’t stay as much as its promise. Regardless of all of the hype that Apple’s advertising and marketing staff constructed round it, the corporate’s AI efforts fell quick, severely lagging its rivals. And that’s only for the options that truly arrived. Others, like an AI-powered Siri improve, stay AWOL.
Sadly, you shouldn’t anticipate macOS 16 to introduce any main AI options, together with that smarter Siri, which Apple promised at WWDC24 final June.
The corporate pulled out the large weapons to repair Siri and Apple Intelligence, with a main inside reorganization. Mike Rockwell, who led Imaginative and prescient Professional growth, is now tasked with revamping Siri. Nonetheless, his staff’s efforts will take time to point out outcomes.
Till then, Apple seemingly gained’t have something main to point out on the AI and Siri entrance. This 12 months’s rumored Apple Intelligence updates that may apply to macOS 16 embrace AI-generated Shortcuts automations and an API for builders that might allow them to faucet into Apple Intelligence’s basis fashions of their apps.
macOS 16 rumors turn out to be actuality at WWDC25
Apple will take the wraps off the following model of macOS at its opening keynote of WWDC25 on June 9. Developer betas normally drop proper after the occasion, so it’s best to be capable of strive macOS 16 in your Mac in case you’re feeling adventurous. Public beta builds normally drop just a few weeks later.
