(Credit: René Ramos; Apple)
At Apple's WWDC conference, the headline announcement about macOS Tahoe was that it (like iPadOS and iOS) would get a redesigned Liquid Glass interface that "brings more focus to content and a new level of vitality." I think the translucent controls and windows throughout the experience look spectacular, but this new, more elegant appearance still isn't what excites me most about the upcoming version of Apple's desktop operating system.
Instead, I'm more eager to get my hands on some quality-of-life features that will make working at the keyboard faster and more productive. Here's what intrigues me most ahead of the public beta release of macOS 26 in July and the full rollout in the fall. I'm sure dozens of other capabilities will impress me once I get the chance to really dig into the OS, however, so stay tuned for my full preview.
1. Automated Triggers in Shortcuts
Apple's Shortcuts app gives you a vast set of building blocks for automating tons of tasks, such as calculating the tip for a restaurant bill or sending your most recent photo via Messages. On an iPhone, you can set up triggers for Shortcuts based on the time of the day or some other event. With macOS 26, I will be able to trigger Shortcuts the same way.
I look forward to creating a Shortcut that will start my backup software when I attach an external drive. I also want to create one that will upload a file to my website whenever I drop it in a specific folder. This kind of automation is already possible with third-party apps, but I prefer it to be a part of macOS itself.
2. Commands and Clipboard History in Spotlight
Apple’s Spotlight search feature has always outclassed Windows search, thanks to its speed and intelligent way of listing apps, documents, and more. In macOS Tahoe, Spotlight adds the ability to perform actions quickly and set up Quick Keys. After opening Spotlight with the Cmd-Space Bar shortcut, for example, you can type “Play” and choose from a list of playlists and radio sites that you use often. As for Quick Keys, you can assign two-letter pairs to various actions, such as “ar” to make an archive, “ej” to eject a disk, “st” to start a timer, and more.
I’ve always used third-party apps on macOS to paste things from the list of items I copied to the clipboard earlier. With Tahoe, you can just open Spotlight and press Cmd-4 to bring up your clipboard history. As for other new shortcuts, Cmd-1 will restrict your searches to applications, and Cmd-2 will do the same for files. Pressing Cmd-3 will bring up a huge list of actions: everything from creating a note in the Notes app to deleting a stock symbol from your watch list in the Stocks app.
3. Finder and Desktop Customizations
I’ve been advocating for a more customizable Finder and desktop view for more years than I can remember, and macOS Tahoe more than delivers. For example, an option in the System Settings > Appearance menu will let you choose the default color for folders. That means I can finally opt for folders with a restful gray color rather than the current, blinding blue. You will also be able to stamp any individual folder with an icon or an emoji via the Customize Folder option in the Finder's File menu. Here, you can choose a custom color for that folder without changing the system default, too.
Additionally, macOS 26 lets you set the background style for desktop icons and widgets, with clear, dark, and tinted colors available. These options give you a lot more control over the visual tone of macOS.
4. History in Passwords
I like the convenience of the Passwords app in macOS, and I’m looking forward to the new history feature. This feature will let me see the previous passwords I used on websites and networks, along with the dates I changed them. This will make it easier for me to avoid using compromised passwords.
5. Improved Menu Bar Customization
If you have a MacBook, you have likely experienced your menu bar icons disappearing behind the webcam notch or an app’s menu. This is always a pain because there’s no convenient way to access them once they're gone. With macOS Tahoe, a menu in System Settings will let you control which app icons appear in the menu bar. I plan to use this feature as soon as it's available. However, I will likely keep using third-party utilities for more advanced features, such as an optional second menu below the main one for icons that I don't need to see all the time.
6. Journal App Availability
I don't understand why the Journal app for iOS wasn't a part of macOS originally, but at least it soon will be. I anticipate using the macOS version of the app more than the others since it will give me the most space to jot down thoughts and write more formally.
7. Live Translations and Spam Filters in Messages
The Live Translations feature is coming to the Messages app on the Mac. When I need to communicate quickly with an eBay seller on another continent, I’ll use Messages and avoid all those round trips to Google Translate that I currently rely on.
I also look forward to the unknown sender filter that shunts messages from people not in my contacts list to a separate list and doesn’t notify me. This means that messages demanding that I pay for an E-ZPass account I’ve never had or settle with a phony debt collector will (finally) no longer be able to interrupt me.
8. Updates to the Phone App
The Phone app on iOS comes to macOS with a spacious interface that includes the call-screening feature and a major new advance—Hold Assist. The latter comes in handy when you're waiting for an agent to interrupt the boring hold music or automated “Please wait” messages during a call. You can simply leave the Phone app and wait for it to alert you when a live agent is back on the line.
In macOS Sequoia, I can already answer the phone using my Mac’s speaker and microphone, but these features will make it even easier for me to ignore my iPhone and focus. Is it the first step to a cellular-equipped Mac, like the cellular-equipped iPads that you’ve been able to buy for years? Apple isn’t saying, but it’s something to dream about.
Beyond the Tahoe Beta
Various Apple Intelligence features in macOS also intrigue me, but Apple is postponing many of them, so I don't feel the need to rush into trying them. Of course, I do plan to test whatever is available in macOS Tahoe during the public beta and at release. By that time, I'll also have a better idea of how well Liquid Glass works in everyday use. Check back soon for my in-depth preview of macOS 26.