macOS 27: What to Expect from Apple's Next Mac Update

Apple is preparing macOS 27 for a debut at WWDC 2026. While most rumors have centered on iOS 27, the next Mac update promises several important changes. According to sources, it won't be a radical redesign, but it will bring refinements to Liquid Glass, a new Siri, expanded AI features, and a key transition for Apple Silicon.

The Liquid Glass interface will remain part of macOS, but Apple is reportedly planning a light overhaul. Transparency and shadows don't work as well on Mac as they do on iPhone, so the company may improve readability, depth, and overall feel. It won't be going back to the pre-macOS Tahoe design, but small visual tweaks are likely.

A major update is the revamped Siri. A smarter version of the assistant will land on both iPhone and Mac, possibly with a new interface and a standalone app. Siri is expected to better grasp context, handle voice and text queries, and become much more useful than the current macOS Siri, which many users rarely touch.

macOS 27 should also gain several Apple Intelligence features. Expected capabilities include image expansion and cropping in Photos, more realistic generation in Image Playground, AI-powered wallpaper creation, generating Shortcuts commands from plain text, and improved Writing Tools with grammar check and advanced rewriting. Safari, according to rumor, will automatically group tabs — a boon for users with dozens of open pages.

Apple could put a heavy focus on stability and performance. Bloomberg has described iOS 27 and macOS 27 as updates in the vein of Snow Leopard — releases where fixes, optimizations, and system quality matter as much as new features. Additionally, macOS 27's code may hint at touchscreen MacBook Pros with OLED displays, though those devices are not expected until late 2026 or 2027.

macOS 27 will be the first version to drop support for Intel Macs. macOS Tahoe will be the last release for Intel-based Apple computers; the new system will require an M1 chip or later. Rosetta 2 will still be available in macOS 27, but Apple plans to remove it in macOS 28. That means developers of older apps need to deliver native Apple Silicon versions by fall 2027.

The name of macOS 27 is unknown. Apple typically uses California landmarks. Possible candidates include Big Bear and Emerald. The latter would be symbolic if macOS 27 truly becomes a Snow Leopard-like update: Emerald Bay lies near Lake Tahoe, and the name pairing could emphasize continuity and a focus on quality. The first developer beta is expected after WWDC on June 8, the public beta in July, and the final launch in the fall.