Apple has officially launched macOS 15 Sequoia, the latest operating system for Mac devices. It’s available as a free update for select models, including:
– 2018 and later MacBook Pro
– 2020 and later MacBook Air
– 2018 and later Mac mini
– All Mac Studio models
– 2019 and later iMac
– iMac Pro
If you have one of these devices, you can download the macOS Sequoia update through the Software Update section in System Settings. For those with older Macs unable to upgrade to Sequoia, Apple also released updates for macOS 13.7 and macOS 14.7.
Key Features in macOS Sequoia
iPhone Mirroring is one of the standout features. It allows you to control and monitor your iPhone directly from your Mac. You can use iPhone apps, get notifications, and even interact with the phone while it’s locked and out of sight. This feature makes it easier to integrate your iPhone and Mac into a seamless workflow.
Improved Window Tiling makes multitasking more intuitive. It’s now simpler to arrange and manage multiple windows on your Mac’s screen. Apple has also added new keyboard shortcuts and menu options to help you organize your workspace more efficiently.
Safari Enhancements
In Safari, a new feature called Highlights has been introduced. It presents the most important information from websites, allowing users to focus on key content without distractions. There’s also a Viewer Mode designed specifically for watching videos in a clean, distraction-free environment.
Messaging and Notes
The Messages app has been upgraded with text effects, message scheduling, and a new way to use any emoji for Tapbacks, making it more fun and functional to interact with friends and family.
For those who use the Notes app, a new Math Notes feature has been introduced, enabling the app to automatically solve equations.
Apple Maps and AirPods Pro 2 Support
Apple Maps now supports hiking trails and lets users create custom routes, making it more versatile for outdoor activities. AirPods Pro 2 owners will also notice new features tailored specifically for them, enhancing their audio experience.
Passwords and Security
With macOS Sequoia, Apple has introduced a dedicated Passwords app. This new app allows users to manage their iCloud passwords and logins more easily and securely.
Apple Intelligence: Coming Soon
Apple has announced a suite of new intelligence features that will roll out later this year. These include:
Writing Tools for improving text
Image Playground for enhanced photo editing
Genmoji for creating custom emoji and avatars
Check out the Full Release Notes Below
macOS Sequoia introduces new features to help you be more productive and creative on Mac. With the latest Continuity feature, iPhone Mirroring, you can access your entire iPhone on Mac. It’s easy to tile windows to quickly create your ideal workspace, and you can even see what you’re about to share while presenting with Presenter Overlay. A big update to Safari features Distraction Control, Highlights, and a redesigned Reader, making it easy to get things done while you browse the web. macOS Sequoia also brings text effects and emoji Tapbacks to Messages, Math Notes to Calculator, the ability to plan a hike in Maps, and so much more.
iPhone Mirroring
– iPhone Mirroring lets you access and control your iPhone on Mac, giving you a convenient way to browse your Home Screen, launch iPhone apps, and interact with them on Mac
– Keyboard and trackpad support enables you to type and use Multi-Touch gestures to swipe through apps on your Home Screen, pinch to zoom, and scroll in apps
– iPhone Notifications on Mac allow you to view and take action on notifications from iPhone right on your Mac
Easier window tiling
– Tiled window enhancements make it easier to arrange windows by dragging them to the screen’s edge to place them side-by-side or in corners on your desktop
– Keyboard and menu shortcuts can be used to arrange windows into tiled positions even faster
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Safari
– Distraction Control helps you hide items on a webpage that you find disruptive to your browsing
– Highlights surface key information from the webpage you’re visiting with summaries, locations, and more
– Redesigned Reader offers even more ways to enjoy articles with a streamlined view of the article you’re reading, a summary, and a table of contents for longer articles
– Viewer lets you watch videos without distractions, and automatically moves videos into Picture-in-Picture when you click away from the page
Passwords
– Passwords app lets you see all your credentials for websites and apps in one place, making it even easier to access your passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes
– Verification codes can be set up right in Passwords so you can easily copy them or autofill them into Safari without even having to open the app
– Secure syncing ensures your accounts saved in Passwords sync seamlessly with iCloud with end-to-end encryption so you can access them on your other devices
– Windows support through the iCloud Passwords app so you can access your passwords on Windows devices
Video Conferencing
– Presenter Overlay lets you preview your screen before sharing it in video calls
– Play preview gives you a preview of where your content and presenter notes will be when you click Play in Keynote
– Background replacement allows you to upload your own photo or choose from several built-in options to use as your video call background
Messages
– Text effects bring your conversations to life by visually amplifying any letter, word, phrase, or emoji in iMessage with dynamic, animated effects like explode, ripple, and nod
– Text formatting lets you add bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough to any letter, word, or phrase in iMessage
– Emoji and sticker Tapbacks let you react to a message using any emoji or sticker, giving you access to the Tapbacks you and your friends send the most with just a swipe
– Send Later lets you compose a message now and schedule it to send later
Maps
– Topographic maps display features like trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest
– Hikes are available across all U.S. national parks and can be saved to your device to access while offline
– Custom walking and hiking routes can be created for hikes in the park, regular exercise routines in your neighborhood, walking tours while on vacation, and more
– Places Library combines all your saved places, guides, and hiking routes into one location for easy access
Notes
– Audio recordings can be started right from inside a note, and kept with related comments, checklists, and documents
– Live transcriptions show as you record audio, and transcripts are fully searchable so you can always find what you need
– Math in Notes let you enter expressions in your note to have them solve instantly
– Collapsible sections help you simplify and hide text in long notes; just click next to a section header to lighten up your most text-heavy notes
– Highlight text in your note with a choice of five colors allows you to make your text standout
Photos
– Collections automatically organize your library by helpful topics in the sidebar, like Days, Trips, People & Pets, and Featured Photos
– Groups in People & Pets include photos of your favorite people or pets who frequently appear together
– Video speed control lets you slow down high frame rate video content with in and out points
– Utilities includes additional helpful collections like Documents, Receipts, and more, and items you’ve recently edited, viewed, and shared
– Recovered album in Utilities surfaces images that are on your device but were not previously visible due to database corruption in a locked album
Conclusion
macOS 15 Sequoia brings many new features and enhancements to the Mac experience, from improved multitasking and Safari viewing to better iPhone integration. While some of the more advanced Apple Intelligence tools are set to release later, this version is still a significant step forward in terms of usability and functionality.
If you own a supported Mac, it’s worth updating to Sequoia to enjoy these features and stay on top of Apple’s latest advancements in Mac software. You can also visit Apple’s page to check out the full details.
