macOS 27 is expected to be Apple's next major Mac operating system update, continuing the unified design language introduced with iOS 26's Liquid Glass aesthetic. Based on Apple's consistent release patterns, macOS 27 will likely be announced at WWDC 2026 in June, with the public release following in Fall 2026.
This comprehensive guide covers all the features expected in macOS 27, organized by category. As with iOS 27, Apple is reportedly focusing on stability, performance improvements, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration while preparing the platform for future hardware innovations.
Liquid Glass Design Language
Following iOS 26's major visual overhaul, macOS 27 is expected to adopt the same Liquid Glass design language, bringing a cohesive look across all Apple platforms.
Visual Design Updates
The Liquid Glass aesthetic features translucent, layered interfaces with depth and dimension. On macOS 27, this is expected to include:
- Redesigned Menu Bar: Translucent glass effect with adaptive blur
- Updated Dock: Refined appearance matching iOS 26's dock design
- Window Chrome: New window styles with glass-like transparency
- System Icons: Refreshed iconography with consistent design language
- Control Center: Redesigned panels with Liquid Glass aesthetics
Unified Design
Consistent visual language across macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS.
Dynamic Theming
Adaptive colors and transparency based on desktop wallpaper and content.
Depth & Layers
Multi-layered interface elements with realistic shadows and blur effects.
Enhanced Dark Mode
Refined dark appearance with improved contrast and glass effects.
Apple Intelligence on Mac
Apple Intelligence, which debuted on Mac with macOS 26, is expected to receive significant enhancements in macOS 27. The Mac's powerful Apple Silicon chips make it an ideal platform for on-device AI processing.
Enhanced Writing Tools
System-wide AI writing assistance is expected to expand with:
- Advanced grammar and style suggestions across all apps
- Intelligent email summarization in Mail
- Document analysis and key point extraction
- Context-aware tone adjustment for professional communications
- Creative writing assistance with multiple style options
Improved Siri Capabilities
Siri on macOS 27 is anticipated to become more capable with:
- Natural language conversations with context awareness
- Deeper app integration through expanded App Intents
- On-device processing for faster responses
- Multi-step task automation
- Screen awareness for contextual assistance
Hardware Requirements
Full Apple Intelligence features are expected to require Apple Silicon Macs with at least 8GB unified memory. M1 Macs will likely receive basic AI features, while M2 and newer chips will unlock the complete feature set.
Image and Media Intelligence
AI-powered media features expected in macOS 27:
- Image Playground: Create AI-generated images directly on Mac
- Clean Up Tool: Remove unwanted objects from photos
- Smart Photo Search: Natural language photo queries
- Video Summarization: AI-generated video highlights
Productivity Enhancements
macOS 27 is expected to bring significant productivity improvements for professional workflows:
Universal Control 3.0
Apple's cross-device control feature is anticipated to receive major upgrades:
- Support for up to 4 devices simultaneously
- Improved latency and responsiveness
- Enhanced file drag-and-drop between devices
- Better integration with Vision Pro
Window Management
Expected improvements to macOS window management:
- Enhanced tiling options similar to Stage Manager improvements
- AI-suggested window arrangements based on workflow
- Quick app groups for common task combinations
- Improved external display support
Stage Manager Updates
Refined workspace organization with customizable layouts and groups.
Snap Layouts
Quick window snapping with keyboard shortcuts and edge gestures.
Virtual Desktops
Enhanced Spaces with better organization and switching.
Display Profiles
Save and restore window arrangements for different monitor setups.
Privacy & Security
Apple's commitment to privacy continues with expected enhancements in macOS 27:
Enhanced App Permissions
- More granular control over app data access
- Time-limited permissions that expire automatically
- Detailed privacy reports showing app behavior
- Location access controls by app and context
Private Cloud Compute
For AI tasks requiring cloud processing, Apple's Private Cloud Compute ensures:
- End-to-end encryption for all cloud AI requests
- Immediate data deletion after processing
- Verifiable security through independent audits
- No user data stored or accessible by Apple
Password & Security Improvements
- Enhanced Passwords app with family sharing
- Passkey improvements for easier authentication
- Advanced phishing protection in Safari
- Improved FileVault with faster encryption
Performance & Stability
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, macOS 27 will place significant emphasis on stability and performance improvements, similar to the approach taken with macOS Snow Leopard.
Focus on Quality
Apple engineering teams are reportedly "combing through Apple's operating systems, hunting for bloat to cut, bugs to eliminate, and any opportunity to meaningfully boost performance and overall quality."
Expected Improvements
- Faster App Launch: Optimized app loading and responsiveness
- Memory Management: Better unified memory allocation for Apple Silicon
- Battery Life: Extended battery life on MacBook models
- Thermal Efficiency: Improved performance under sustained workloads
- Storage Optimization: Better space management and cleanup tools
Mac Compatibility
Based on Apple's transition timeline and support patterns, macOS 27 is expected to require Apple Silicon, dropping support for Intel-based Macs.
| Mac Model | macOS 27 | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air (M3, 2024) | Supported | Full Support |
| MacBook Air (M2, 2022) | Supported | Full Support |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | Supported | Limited |
| MacBook Pro (M3, 2024) | Supported | Full Support |
| MacBook Pro (M1/M2 series) | Supported | Full Support |
| Mac mini (M1/M2) | Supported | Full Support |
| iMac (M1/M3) | Supported | Full Support |
| Mac Studio (M1/M2 Max/Ultra) | Supported | Full Support |
| Mac Pro (Apple Silicon) | Supported | Full Support |
| Intel-based Macs | Not Supported | Not Supported |
System Requirements
macOS 27 is expected to require: Apple Silicon (M1 or newer), 8GB unified memory minimum (16GB recommended for full Apple Intelligence), and approximately 50GB available storage space.
Expected Release Timeline
Based on Apple's consistent release schedule:
- June 2026: WWDC Keynote - macOS 27 announcement and Developer Beta 1
- July 2026: Public Beta release
- Fall 2026: macOS 27 public release (typically late September/October)
Stay Updated
We'll update this guide as more information becomes available. Check our blog for the latest macOS 27 news and rumors.