Upgrading to Mac OS Tahoe 26: What Apple Users Need to Know

This release marks the first major redesign of macOS in five years and the last version to support Intel-based Macs. Going forward, all updates will be exclusive to Apple Silicon. Notably, Tahoe is the first OS that cannot be downloaded through the App Store—instead, it must be installed via System Settings → General → Software Update. Installation takes significantly longer than incremental updates, often involving multiple restarts and ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on internet speed. If you rely on proprietary or specialized software, it’s important to confirm compatibility before upgrading. 

Tahoe introduces Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language across all devices, replacing the flat design with more fluid, dynamic animations. Interactions feel smooth and natural—“like a water droplet”—and the overall interface is more responsive. Several core apps have been reorganized: Messages and Mail are now grouped for consistency, and calls and voicemails share a unified menu, creating a more seamless experience. 

For updates, note that Apple will automatically deliver only the incremental security patches if you have Automatic Updates enabled. These will install as long as your device is powered on, awake, and charging. However, Apple will not upgrade your device to Tahoe automatically—that must be initiated manually using the steps above. 

✅ Key Takeaway

Apple’s new Tahoe OS is a major step forward, bringing a fresh design, unified versioning, and long-term alignment with Apple Silicon. However, as with any first release, a handful of bugs have already been identified. Be sure to review the known issues before upgrading, and hold off on installation if any of them impact your workflow or critical applications. Incremental security updates will still be delivered automatically, so you won’t miss out on essential protection while you wait.

✅ List of Bugs Found So Far...