With each new iOS and macOS launch, Apple deepens the mixing between its cell and desktop working programs. iOS 26 is not any completely different, constructing on the iPhone Mirroring function launched in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.
Try all the brand new cross-device options and integrations that iOS 26 and macOS 26 (aka Tahoe) convey.
How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac
The seamless integration between iPhone and Mac is likely one of the greatest strengths of Apple’s ecosystem. And this integration isn’t just about cross-device Continuity options. Additionally it is about consistency — providing the identical set of options throughout platforms and gadgets.
iOS 26 and macOS 26 excel right here, bringing a number of iPhone options and enhancements to the Mac.
Desk of contents: How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac
Unified design language and naming scheme
Photograph: Apple
Apple lastly unified the naming scheme and, extra importantly, the design language of its working programs this yr. So, as a substitute of iOS 19 and macOS 16, we acquired iOS 26 and macOS 26. Whereas this would possibly seem to be a small change, it’s going to simplify issues sooner or later.
The larger change is that Apple adopted the identical shimmery, translucent Liquid Glass design throughout iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26. The unified design will present a extra constant expertise throughout all Apple gadgets. Along with the same look, you’ll know the way buttons behave, the place to search out them, and so on.
Cellphone app involves the Mac
Photograph: Apple
iOS 26 introduces a revamped Cellphone app, full with new options like Name Screening and Maintain Help. The previous will decide up calls in your behalf and ask the caller their title and why they’re calling you. This may then allow you to determine if it’s price answering the decision.
Likewise, Maintain Help takes the ache out of staying on lengthy holds. Your iPhone will routinely notify you when a stay agent comes on the decision, enabling you to proceed doing all of your work within the meantime.
Constructing on Apple’s handy Continuity options, macOS Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Cellphone app to the Mac for the primary time. You may entry all options of the app, like the decision log and voicemails, instantly in your Mac. Even higher, you may route calls out of your iPhone to your Mac — and sure, you’ll get incoming name notifications proper in your Mac, too.
Stay Actions
Photograph: Apple
macOS Tahoe additionally will convey one of many iPhone’s finest options in latest occasions — Stay Actions — to the Mac.
In case your iPhone is close by, any Stay Exercise will routinely seem in your Mac’s menu bar. This may make monitoring your meals supply standing, sports activities scores and different real-time notifications simpler. And clicking on a Stay Exercise immediately opens the related app, so you may instantly take motion out of your Mac.
Stay Translation
Photograph: Apple
Just like the iPhone’s Messages app in iOS 26, sure apps in macOS Tahoe additionally will acquire help for Stay Translation. Your Mac will translate texts in a language you perceive, breaking down the language barrier.
Even higher, on FaceTime calls, you’ll get translated stay captions when the opposite get together is speaking. Likewise, the Cellphone app will translate what the caller is saying in a language you perceive.
These enhancements are coming to the Messages and Cellphone apps on each iOS 26 and macOS 26 to make sure a constant expertise.
Journal app
Screenshot: Rajesh
Launched with iOS 17.2 on the iPhone in 2023, macOS 26 Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Journal app to the Mac. Now you can write down your ideas and notes within the Journal app in your Mac. All content material may even routinely sync to different gadgets linked to your Apple Account.
Extra highly effective Shortcuts app
Photograph: Apple
Simply as on the iPhone, Apple’s Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe positive aspects Apple Intelligence help. This may let you use AI-powered actions, like summarizing textual content utilizing Writing Instruments and creating photos utilizing Picture Playground. You may instantly feed this knowledge right into a shortcut to create complicated automations.
Extra importantly, the Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe can execute actions routinely, similar to throughout a particular time of the day. Apple beforehand restricted this functionality to the iPhone.
AI-powered Reminders app
Like many different system apps, Apple’s Reminders app additionally receives an AI increase in iOS 26 and macOS 26.
Apart from a Liquid Glass design revamp, the Reminders app can auto-categorize your lists utilizing Apple Intelligence. Extra importantly, it may possibly routinely create reminders based mostly in your emails and textual content messages. Think about the Reminders app making a process and including related grocery gadgets to it based mostly on a dialog along with your partner.
Polls and backgrounds in Messages
Photograph: Apple
The Messages app in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe will acquire help for Polls and Backgrounds. You’ll even get AI-powered solutions that will help you rapidly and simply create related polls.
As for the Backgrounds function in Messages, you may decide from considered one of many preloaded dynamic choices. Alternatively, you need to use an image out of your Pictures library or create one thing new utilizing Picture Playground.
Car Movement Cues
The nausea-busting Car Movement Cues function launched to the iPhone in iOS 18 will come to MacBooks in macOS 26 Tahoe. This accessibility function helps cut back movement illness whereas utilizing an Apple system in a transferring automobile. It ought to make it extra comfy to make use of your MacBook on the go.
Utilizing the iPhone digital camera as a Magnifier on Mac
macOS Tahoe brings a brand new Magnifier accessibility function to the Mac. It permits customers with low imaginative and prescient to make use of USB cameras to zoom in on their environment and even apply filters to enhance readability.
Benefiting from Continuity Digicam, you need to use your iPhone’s digital camera when utilizing this accessibility function in your Mac.
iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe land this fall
You received’t have to attend lengthy to check out the deeper cross-device integration that iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe convey. The updates a number of months from now. And when you can’t wait that lengthy, go forward and set up the iOS 26 beta and macOS 26 Tahoe beta in your iPhone and Mac to strive them right now.
