Apple has officially announced macOS Sequoia at WWDC 2024 alongside iOS 18, iPadOS 18, visionOS 2, and watchOS 11.
With macOS Sequoia, users can expect a transformative experience like never before. From the revolutionary iPhone Mirroring capability, allowing full interaction with your iPhone directly from your Mac, to the intelligence-driven features of Apple Intelligence, this release marks a significant leap forward for Mac users worldwide.
macOS Sequoia features
“The all-star combination of the power of Apple silicon and the legendary ease of use of macOS have made the Mac more capable than ever. Today, we’re excited to take macOS to new heights with macOS Sequoia, a big release that elevates productivity and intelligence,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “macOS Sequoia ushers in Apple Intelligence, unlocking incredible new features that will be a game changer for working on Mac. And with more ways to help users effortlessly get things done, new Continuity features like iPhone Mirroring, major updates to Safari, and a host of new games, we think Mac users are going to love it.”
iPhone Mirroring
One of the standout features of macOS 15 Sequoia is iPhone Mirroring. This new Continuity feature allows users to view and control their iPhone directly from their Mac. The iPhone’s screen is mirrored on the Mac, displaying everything from icons and the Home Screen to apps. Users can open any app on their iPhone from their Mac, with the audio routed through the Mac, all while the iPhone remains locked for security. This feature also supports drag-and-drop functionality between the Mac and the iPhone, enhancing workflow efficiency for professionals and developers alike.
Apple Intelligence
macOS 15 Sequoia introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features designed to streamline user interactions and enhance productivity. This AI can manage notifications, summarize text in emails and other apps, and draft automatic replies. Siri’s capabilities are expanded, allowing it to perform actions within apps and pull contextual information based on user preferences and voice commands. Apple Intelligence will be available this summer with the Sequoia beta, requiring an M1 or later processor.
Enhanced notifications
With macOS 15 Sequoia, iPhone notifications are integrated into the Mac’s notification center, appearing alongside Mac notifications. This integration reduces the need to switch between devices, allowing for a more cohesive user experience.
Automatic window tiling
Sequoia introduces automatic window tiling, making it easier to manage multiple windows. Users can drag a window to the edge of the screen, and macOS will offer options to tile and arrange windows efficiently, utilizing maximum screen real estate.
New Passwords app
The new dedicated Passwords app in macOS 15 Sequoia provides a centralized location for managing all passwords, including Wi-Fi passwords, app and website credentials, and verification codes. This app syncs across all Apple devices and even Windows, thanks to the iCloud for Windows app, ensuring users can access their passwords securely from any device.
Safari improvements
Safari receives significant updates, including AI-powered Highlights, which detect and present interesting content on the page. Reader mode now includes AI-generated summaries and tables of contents, and a new Viewer mode prioritizes on-page video content for a better viewing experience.
Game Porting Toolkit 2
On the gaming front, Apple introduced the Game Porting Toolkit 2, which improves Windows compatibility and enhances debugging tools, making it easier for developers to port games to macOS.
Additional features
- Math notes and upgraded messages: Sequoia includes Math Notes for typed-out equations and new features in Messages, including expanded Tapback reactions and RCS support.
- Presenter preview mode: For video onferencing, macOS Sequoia offers a presenter preview mode with built-in background replacement.
- Improved Calculator app: The Calculator app for iPad receives an upgrade, now featuring a redesigned interface that mirrors its Mac counterpart.
Availability
The developer beta of macOS Sequoia is available today, with a public beta coming in July. The full version is slated for release in fall 2024.
