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macOS 26 to Be Named ‘Tahoe’ as Leak Hints at Glass-Inspired Redesign
A new name, a fresh look. Leaks reveal Apple will call macOS 26 “Tahoe,” inspired by California’s Lake Tahoe. Here’s what to expect from its stunning redesign at WWDC 2025.
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Apple’s upcoming macOS release—macOS 26—will reportedly be named macOS Tahoe, according to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter. With this leak surfacing just days ahead of WWDC 2025, excitement is building for what could be one of the most visually striking macOS updates in years.
Why ‘Tahoe’? A Design Language Inspired by Nature
Lake Tahoe, one of California’s most iconic natural landmarks, is known for its crystal-clear waters and reflective beauty. That aesthetic is reportedly a key inspiration behind the design of macOS 26. Gurman suggests the new interface will include glass-like, translucent elements—such as windows, icons, and buttons—ushering in a modern, spatial UI shift across Apple’s platforms.
Notably, iOS 26 is expected to share this visual language, creating a unified experience across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
A Quick Look at the Naming Legacy
Apple’s macOS naming convention took a significant turn starting with macOS Mavericks in 2013. Moving away from big cat names like Leopard and Lion, Apple began using California landmarks to reflect regional pride and visual metaphors. With names like Yosemite, Monterey, Sonoma, and Sequoia, macOS has evolved in both branding and design identity.
macOS Tahoe continues this tradition, but with a stronger design alignment tied to its namesake’s visual qualities.
Expected Compatibility: Will Your Mac Support macOS 26?
While Apple hasn’t officially announced the list of compatible devices for macOS 26, we can make an educated guess based on the macOS Sequoia support list and Apple’s ongoing trend of phasing out older Intel-based Macs.
WWDC 2025: Everything Unveils June 9
Apple will officially unveil macOS 26 Tahoe, along with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, during the WWDC 2025 keynote on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. PT.
The June event will be held in a hybrid format, with online access available globally and a special in-person experience hosted at Apple Park for select developers and press.
Goodbye Version Numbers, Hello Calendar Years
If you’re wondering why Apple calls it macOS 26 instead of macOS 16, here’s the answer: Apple is shifting all OS versions to align with the year-based naming system—starting with 2025. That’s why macOS 26, iOS 26, and others will all share the same numeric identity this year.
This move not only simplifies version tracking across devices but also creates a stronger sense of platform unity.
What do you think of the name macOS Tahoe? Share your thoughts in the comments.
