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    The 4 Best New Features Added to macOS in 2026 (So Far)

    Amelia ScottBy Updated:06 Mins Read Apps & Software
    The 4 Best New Features Added to macOS in 2026 (So Far)
    macOS Tahoe is the current software for Mac users. This is the last big update for Intel Macs before macOS 27, which is expected to be previewed at WWDC 2026. With macOS 26, Apple introduced an entirely new design language called Liquid Glass, making the user interface of the Mac, iPhone, and iPad much more similar to each other. In 2026, Apple added a handful of new features for Mac users, including the ability for developers to code with AI, new emojis, and a new way to turn on the Mac.

    Although the 2026 macOS updates weren’t as exciting as those in late 2025, macOS Tahoe 26.2 introduced two important features for Mac users: Edge Light for video calling and Thunderbolt 5-powered Mac clusters, which paved the way for the Mac Pro’s discontinuation.

    Soon, Apple will preview macOS 27, which should significantly improve the Liquid Glass experience while adding true Apple Intelligence features through a more intelligent, conversational Siri. So far, rumors suggest that Apple has three priorities for upcoming software updates: improving performance by removing bugs and existing code, introducing new Apple Intelligence features, and making Liquid Glass more accessible than what was introduced in this generation. Still, while we wait for those features, here’s what macOS has added so far in 2026.

     

    Agent coding support

    macOS 26.3, like iOS 26.3, was a really boring update. Released earlier this year, Apple focused on fixing bugs, adding security patches, and that’s it. However, this software also added support for Xcode 26.3, the platform developers use to code and bring their projects to life. What Apple did with Xcode 26.3 is what other AI agents have been offering for some time: using them to help developers code.

    With Xcode 26.3, developers can integrate OpenAI’s Codex, Anthropic’s Claude Agent, and other tools into their software, making it easier to code, review projects, find bugs, and more. According to Apple. Agents can “search for documentation, explore file structures, update project settings, and visually verify their work by capturing Xcode Preview and browsing builds and patches.”

    That said, Apple does not adopt vibe coding; in fact, the company offers a Playgrounds app for iPad that helps users learn the basics of Swift coding. It also makes life easier for developers by automating certain tasks and providing additional benefits from these AI agents.

     

    New emojis

    With macOS 26.4, Apple followed a pattern of other x.4 software updates by releasing new emojis. In this version, the company added eight new options, including a gender-neutral version for the ballet dancer and a skin tone modifier for wrestlers and for dancers with bunny ears. In the last two updates, Apple has also added only a few emojis, with macOS 18.4 and macOS 17.4 adding fewer than 10 new emojis each. The last time the company introduced several new emoji was with macOS 16.4, which brought over 30 new options.

    macOS Tahoe 26.4 added the now-popular distorted face emoji, a fighting cloud, a ballet dancer, an orca, a hairy creature, a paperclip, a landslide, and a treasure chest. These emojis were announced by the Unicode Consortium last year. As the addition of new emojis has slowed, Apple has encouraged users to create Genmoji, a fun way to use Apple Intelligence to combine two different emojis or simply invent something from their creativity.

    These Genmoji figurines can also be used with third-party apps like WhatsApp, as Apple imports them as stickers. The company also continues to improve the prompts to generate more reliable numbers. So even if Unicode hasn’t released your dream emoji, you can now create it.

     

    Free-form updates

    Apple’s Freeform app is a digital canvas released by Apple in 2022. Available for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS devices, users can share, collaborate, and see everything in one place. Similar to Figma, this software is designed to spark creativity and foster collaboration among friends and colleagues. With macOS 26.4, Apple added advanced imaging with Apple Intelligence, new editing tools, and a premium content library, and integrated the app with Apple Creator Studio.

    The Creator Studio is a subscription service that offers nine “Pro” apps for $12.99/month or $129/year. Among the available applications, Apple offers Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, MainStage, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and FreeForm. These apps are also available on a range of devices, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. Although free standalone apps, such as Pages, Keynotes, and Numbers, are still available, Apple has added a new icon to differentiate between bundled and still-free software.

    Another change is that some software has become platform-exclusive, such as Pixelmator Pro for iPadOS. The only way to enjoy this application is to subscribe. Apple says it will continue to update the bundle with new features, so what the company introduced in macOS 26.4 for Freeform is just the start of several Pro features on the horizon.

    New way to turn on the Mac

    Finally, with macOS Tahoe 26.5, Apple has fixed one of the biggest flaws of the Mac mini M4. With this generation, the company placed the power button at the bottom of the computer, making it more difficult for users to turn it on manually. While Apple says this design change was made so users wouldn’t have to worry about turning off their Mac every time they end a session, the company is now also offering a new way to turn on the Mac.

    According to a support document, new Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and iMac computers can be turned on without users needing to press the power button. In addition to running macOS 26.5, users must have a 2024 Mac mini or iMac, or a Mac Studio introduced in 2025 or later.

    That said, if you own one of these Macs, open System Settings, tap the Power option in the sidebar, and set “Start when power is connected” to Always. With this, if there is a power outage or you simply remove it from the outlet and then plug it back in, your Mac will automatically turn on. Apple recommends a 30-second delay between disconnecting and reconnecting the computer to power to give the Mac’s power supply enough time to discharge.

     

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