If Microsoft’s Windows operating system popularized the multi-application interface, then Apple is trying to imagine what your floating tabs would look like if they were truly see-through glass panes. MacOS has jumped from macOS 15 Sequoia all the way to macOS 26, and it will sport a new look to bring it in line with every other Apple OS. There’s not much need to worry. Apple showed at WWDC25 how macOS 26 will still be very familiar to anybody with experience with Apple’s UI, but there are a few new features that will make Mac a little easier to use alongside an iPhone.

Taking a page from the Apple Vision Pro and its “glassmorphism“-type aesthetic, everything on Mac now sports a “Liquid Glass” look, in line with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. This means all your regular borders around your open windows are semi-transparent. The menu bar is now completely transparent, while the Dock is similarly changed to have this glassy look. This version of macOS, dubbed Tahoe in honor of the freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains, will also have window buttons with more-rounded, bubble-like designs. If you were hoping for a splash of vibrancy on your desktop, there are more options to color your various folders, and you can add customized emojis to give more visual flair to your desktop.

Apple was adamant that Mac users want more “Continuity” with iPhone. Last year brought iPhone mirroring, but now users will be able to use their Phone app synced from their iPhone. Users will be able to see their Contacts and host both audio and video calls. This new Mac app also works with live translations and call screening introduced on iOS 26. If you have your iPhone nearby your Mac, macOS 26 will also provide quick updates about your incoming Uber ride or Calendar events. You’ll be able to take actions on your iPhone from these Live Activity popups through the iPhone mirroring app.

If you’re one of those Mac users who often forgets Spotlight exists, Apple hopes you’ll find it far more useful with enhanced controls for searching for that one PDF or image. Better yet, Spotlight should also support third-party cloud storage services. Spotlight should include more capabilities to take actions without having to pick up a mouse or move to the trackpad. You should be able to take specific actions in some apps, like sending an email or creating a note. In apps that work with Apple’s API, you may be able to take more complex actions. Apple showed how Spotlight could find a specific layer in a photo editing app using Spotlight. Notably, Apple didn’t relate this as any kind of newfangled “AI” capability, despite the feature having strong agentic undertones.

All your regular widgets across Apple’s ecosystem, like your stock tickers or weather app, will have this kind of digital glass look that will showcase a modicum of transparency for what’s behind each application. This is most apparent with the revised Safari browser. Apple’s older grey box now sports an address bar that acts more like a windowpane. Sidebars and toolbars similarly showcase more of what’s happening underneath.

The new look may take some getting used to, but despite its glassy appearance, not so much is changing that you won’t be able to find all your usual functions. I personally don’t see much wrong with the glass-like texture now overriding the entire Apple ecosystem, though it could make the experience feel same-y whether I’m diving into my Mac for heads-down work or tapping on my iPad mini for quick note-taking.

Other than looks, the Mac itself isn’t getting so many obvious enhancements. While the iPhone is getting a Preview-type app and the iPad may be better at multitasking, the macOS 26 can instead look forward to Messages that will let users set a background image and create polls. The Messages app will facilitate new AI translation capabilities as well. If you were one of those strange people who still used AI-generated Genmojis after the first try, then you’ll be happy to know the update will let you combine two emojis in one. We’re standing ready to see what a combination of the grapes and poop emojis looks like.