I never expected that I would be stunned the moment I turned it on! The latest version of macOS is simply a makeover, with the entire interface completely refreshed. The transparent Dock bar, the menu bar blending with the background, and the new style of icons, make the desktop more refreshing than ever before. Honestly, the aesthetics are really high!
But good looks alone are not enough. Does the new system have practical functions? Or is it just a skin change? After in-depth experience, I found that this update is not simple. It even moved many of the iPhone's functions to the Mac. This is simply a revolution against the iPhone!
macOS 26: Not Just Beautiful, But Also Powerful
In this macOS update, I personally think there are five highlights that deserve the most attention:
Liquid Glass: Aesthetics are Justice
The brand-new design language, which Apple calls "Liquid Glass," is translucent, refractive, and reflective, making the entire interface more layered and breaking away from the rigidity of the past.
The Dock bar now has four effects to choose from: light, dark, transparent mode, or custom colors. I personally like the transparent mode the most. It's like a frosted glass, faintly revealing the color of the wallpaper, which is very delicate. The sidebar and menu bar in the settings also have the same effect, making the whole screen look cleaner.
App icons have also been redesigned to be consistent with the iOS style. Folder colors can also be customized, and even emojis can be added, greatly increasing the degree of freedom.
In general, this interface change is definitely the "most felt upgrade." Although it is mainly a visual change, it can really make you feel refreshed every time you use your Mac computer.
Mac Can Also Make Phone Calls: The iPhone's Phone Function is "Raided"
You heard me right, Mac can now make phone calls directly! This macOS directly moved the "Phone App" to the Mac computer, not FaceTime video calls, but the kind of "phone call" that can actually dial phone numbers. Dialing, answering, viewing call history, and listening to voicemail are all possible.
It even supports some very intimate functions, just like iOS 26, such as call filtering, which can help you automatically block unknown calls. There is also Hold Assist, which allows your Mac computer to listen for you when you call customer service and are waiting in line, and notify you when someone actually answers.
However, it should be noted that it does not run independently, but still relies on your iPhone to be around to help you transfer calls. You can think of it as remotely controlling your iPhone to make phone calls through your computer.
Although it's just remote control, it's really convenient to use. For example, when I'm writing, I want to call my family. I don't need to take out my phone at all. I can directly call them by clicking on the computer, which greatly improves efficiency.
Live Activities: Completely Free Your Phone
This update further reduces my iPhone usage rate. It's called "Live Activities," an integrated real-time dynamic. Dynamic notifications on your iPhone will now be directly synchronized to the Mac's menu bar.
For example, if you call a car, your flight is about to take off, or the score of a game is updated, this information will automatically appear in the Mac's top toolbar. If you want to see detailed information, click on it to directly open the mirrored screen of the iPhone. You don't need to touch your phone at all throughout the process.
In the past, computers and mobile phones were separate. Computers were responsible for productivity work, and mobile phones were responsible for daily life and communication. Now Mac is starting to develop in the direction of "information hub," allowing you to get the most complete information with just one computer without having to switch your phone.
Spotlight Redesign: Your Personal Intelligent Secretary
In the past, Spotlight was only used to search for things, find files, find Apps, and find information. But now it has directly transformed into a "personal secretary." You can not only search, but also directly perform various operations, such as writing emails, creating new memos, and playing music, without having to switch Apps at all.
The Spotlight menu is also very clear now. First, use Cmd + Space to call Spotlight, then use Cmd + 1 to search for applications, Cmd + 2 to search for files, Cmd + 3 to open shortcuts, and Cmd + 4 to open the clipboard.
Especially the clipboard function, Android users should be very familiar with it. In the past, Mac could only copy one piece of information, and if you copied a new one, the old one would be replaced. Now with the clipboard, the previous records will be saved here for easy searching.
It also supports "Quick Keys" for quick input. You can customize shortcuts for quick operations. Apple says it will automatically learn your usage habits. After using it for a long time, it will even know what you want to do when you open it, saving you the trouble of typing.
In short, the new Spotlight is a bit like a "command center" + "task assistant" on Mac, with more powerful functions, but the operation logic is as familiar as before.
Built-in App Minor Upgrades: More Consistent, More Intuitive
Safari is faster and more power-efficient, the Information App is synchronized with iOS updates, with chat backgrounds and group voting functions, and photos and logs have also been updated.
The overall feeling is that the operations between the various systems are more consistent and more intuitive. Just like unifying several systems into one name this time, whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer, the usage habits are similar.
There is also a Live Translation function. Now, when you use Mac's FaceTime or make phone calls, if the other party speaks a foreign language, the system will help you translate it into your language in real time, with subtitles and audio playback.
Is the iPhone's Position Precarious?
Today's Mac computers are becoming more and more like iPhones, such as making phone calls, viewing notifications, real-time translation, and iPhone mirroring. Although these are still implemented through the iPhone, we don't even need to take out our phones when we use them.
It feels like the iPhone is just sitting there and may not move much all day. Maybe it's only used for taking pictures or scanning QR codes. Maybe the future trend is like this: the role of the iPhone is gradually being weakened. Many things are faster and more convenient to do with a Mac computer, and it also makes us less dependent on the iPhone.
As a result, the frequency of phone upgrades may decrease. This is actually a good thing for ordinary users.
Overall, this macOS Tahoe 26 is definitely a very felt upgrade. Have you upgraded? How's the experience? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!