With each new iOS and macOS launch, Apple deepens the mixing between its cell and desktop working methods. iOS 26 is not any completely different, constructing on the iPhone Mirroring characteristic launched in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.
Take a look at all the brand new cross-device options and integrations that iOS 26 and macOS 26 (aka Tahoe) carry.
How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac
The seamless integration between iPhone and Mac is among the greatest strengths of Apple’s ecosystem. And this integration is not only about cross-device Continuity options. It’s also about consistency — providing the identical set of options throughout platforms and gadgets.
iOS 26 and macOS 26 excel right here, bringing a number of iPhone options and enhancements to the Mac.
Desk of contents: How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac
Unified design language and naming scheme
Picture: Apple
Apple lastly unified the naming scheme and, extra importantly, the design language of its working methods this 12 months. So, as an alternative of iOS 19 and macOS 16, we acquired iOS 26 and macOS 26. Whereas this would possibly seem to be a small change, it should simplify issues sooner or later.
The larger change is that Apple adopted the identical shimmery, translucent Liquid Glass design throughout iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26. The unified design will present a extra constant expertise throughout all Apple gadgets. Along with the same look, you’ll know the way buttons behave, the place to search out them, and so on.
Cellphone app involves the Mac
Picture: Apple
iOS 26 introduces a revamped Cellphone app, full with new options like Name Screening and Maintain Help. The previous will choose up calls in your behalf and ask the caller their title and why they’re calling you. This can then show you how to determine if it’s value answering the decision.
Likewise, Maintain Help takes the ache out of staying on lengthy holds. Your iPhone will routinely notify you when a dwell agent comes on the decision, enabling you to proceed doing all your work within the meantime.
Constructing on Apple’s handy Continuity options, macOS Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Cellphone app to the Mac for the primary time. You’ll be able to entry all options of the app, like the decision log and voicemails, immediately in your Mac. Even higher, you possibly can route calls out of your iPhone to your Mac — and sure, you’ll get incoming name notifications proper in your Mac, too.
Dwell Actions
Picture: Apple
macOS Tahoe additionally will carry one of many iPhone’s greatest options in current instances — Dwell Actions — to the Mac.
In case your iPhone is close by, any Dwell Exercise will routinely seem in your Mac’s menu bar. This can make monitoring your meals supply standing, sports activities scores and different real-time notifications simpler. And clicking on a Dwell Exercise immediately opens the related app, so you possibly can immediately take motion out of your Mac.
Dwell Translation
Picture: Apple
Just like the iPhone’s Messages app in iOS 26, sure apps in macOS Tahoe additionally will acquire help for Dwell Translation. Your Mac will translate texts in a language you perceive, breaking down the language barrier.
Even higher, on FaceTime calls, you’ll get translated dwell captions when the opposite get together is speaking. Likewise, the Cellphone app will translate what the caller is saying in a language you perceive.
These enhancements are coming to the Messages and Cellphone apps on each iOS 26 and macOS 26 to make sure a constant expertise.
Journal app
Screenshot: Rajesh
Launched with iOS 17.2 on the iPhone in 2023, macOS 26 Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Journal app to the Mac. Now you can write down your ideas and notes within the Journal app in your Mac. All content material may also routinely sync to different gadgets linked to your Apple Account.
Extra highly effective Shortcuts app
Picture: Apple
Simply as on the iPhone, Apple’s Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe features Apple Intelligence help. This can permit you to use AI-powered actions, like summarizing textual content utilizing Writing Instruments and creating photos utilizing Picture Playground. You’ll be able to immediately feed this information right into a shortcut to create advanced automations.
Extra importantly, the Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe can execute actions routinely, resembling throughout a particular time of the day. Apple beforehand restricted this functionality to the iPhone.
AI-powered Reminders app
Like many different system apps, Apple’s Reminders app additionally receives an AI enhance in iOS 26 and macOS 26.
Moreover a Liquid Glass design revamp, the Reminders app can auto-categorize your lists utilizing Apple Intelligence. Extra importantly, it might probably routinely create reminders based mostly in your emails and textual content messages. Think about the Reminders app making a process and including related grocery gadgets to it based mostly on a dialog together with your partner.
Polls and backgrounds in Messages
Picture: Apple
The Messages app in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe will acquire help for Polls and Backgrounds. You’ll even get AI-powered recommendations that can assist you rapidly and simply create related polls.
As for the Backgrounds characteristic in Messages, you possibly can choose from considered one of many preloaded dynamic choices. Alternatively, you should utilize an image out of your Pictures library or create one thing new utilizing Picture Playground.
Automobile Movement Cues
The nausea-busting Automobile Movement Cues characteristic launched to the iPhone in iOS 18 will come to MacBooks in macOS 26 Tahoe. This accessibility characteristic helps cut back movement illness whereas utilizing an Apple machine in a shifting automobile. It ought to make it extra snug to make use of your MacBook on the go.
Utilizing the iPhone digicam as a Magnifier on Mac
macOS Tahoe brings a brand new Magnifier accessibility characteristic to the Mac. It allows customers with low imaginative and prescient to make use of USB cameras to zoom in on their environment and even apply filters to enhance readability.
Making the most of Continuity Digital camera, you should utilize your iPhone’s digicam when utilizing this accessibility characteristic in your Mac.
iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe land this fall
You received’t have to attend lengthy to check out the deeper cross-device integration that iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe carry. The updates a couple of months from now. And in the event you can’t wait that lengthy, go forward and set up the iOS 26 beta and macOS 26 Tahoe beta in your iPhone and Mac to strive them as we speak.
