In an internal memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, Apple has acknowledged an issue with installing iPadOS 18 on iPad Pro models with the M4 chip. We first reported on this issue earlier this week.
The memo, obtained by MacRumors, states that a "small number" of these iPad Pro models are unable to power on after a customer attempted to install iPadOS 18 on the device. Apple is working to resolve the issue, and it has made iPadOS 18 unavailable on affected iPad Pro models in the meantime, according to the memo.
Apple has advised technicians to attempt a force restart of a customer's iPad Pro model, if the device has experienced this issue.
It is unclear how long it will take for Apple to identify and implement a fix.
We don't mean to take away from the excitement of the iPhone 16 launch today, but there are more rumors to share about next year's iPhone 17 lineup.
Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants today informed MacRumors that the standard iPhone 17 and a slimmer model that we are calling the "iPhone 17 Air" will both feature ProMotion, meaning that each device's display would be able to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary.
ProMotion would also allow the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air displays to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate. iPhone 13 Pro models can ramp down to 10Hz, while iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 16 Pro models can go as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that shows various Lock Screen elements even when the device is locked. It is unclear if the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would ramp down to 10Hz or 1Hz.
The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have 60Hz displays.
Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products, including being the first source to reveal that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September 2025.
Halfbrick Studios is a game company best known for super popular iOS titles like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, which have historically been freemium titles. Starting last year, Halfbrick decided to go with a different monetization model, offering all of its games for a low monthly fee.
Halfbrick+, a $2.99 per month service (or $30/year), offers a bunch of updated takes on classic iOS games, with more titles added regularly. You can play without ads, in-app purchases, or irritating freemium game mechanics that limit gameplay unless you shell out more money.
The service soft launched late last year, but it's ramping up as Halfbrick has worked to add multiple games in 2024. Titles include Fruit Ninja Classic, Dan the Man Classic, Jetpack Joyride Test Labs, Bears vs. Art, Lazy Dog, Monster Dash, and tons more, with a full list available on the Halfbrick+ website. New games are coming on a regular basis, as Halfbrick is developing its own titles exclusively for Halfbrick+, and working with other game developers to bring classic titles to the service.
Just today, Halfbrick+ gained Mega Jump, an arcade platformer where the goal is to jump as high as possible while avoiding monsters and collecting coins. It's one of those classic iPhone titles that you likely played years and years ago, but it's back and better than ever with no IAP through Halfbrick+.
In a couple of weeks, Nimble Quest will join Halfbrick+. If you're unfamiliar with Nimble Quest, it's a fun little game that uses the classic snake mechanic. Players control a conga line of heroes, destroying enemies, collecting new heroes, and gathering treasure.
There are some obvious similarities between Halfbrick+ and Apple's own Apple Arcade subscription service, but Halfbrick is focusing on a more curated experience with well-loved game mechanics and the addictive gameplay that Halfbrick is known for. The $2.99 price point is purposely aggressive to keep it affordable for players, and there is a one-month free trial for anyone who wants to give the service a go.
While the iPhone 16 series just began arriving to customers today, there are already rumors about the next-generation iPhone 17 series.
In a post shared on social media platform X on Thursday, display industry analyst Ross Young said he believes that next year's iPhone 17 Pro will feature under-display Face ID. This change would presumably extend to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Under-display Face ID has been rumored for several years, but it has failed to materialize. However, Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products, including being the first source to reveal that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively. If he says the iPhone 17 Pro will have under-screen Face ID, there is a good chance it will.
In April 2023, Young shared a roadmap that showed both iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID, but he said the devices would still have a hole in the screen for the front camera. He does not expect both under-display Face ID and an under-display front camera until the iPhone 19 Pro models in three years from now.
With under-display Face ID, the iPhone 17 Pro models could have only a single hole at the top of the display, similar to recent Android smartphones from Samsung and Google. However, no specific design changes have been rumored yet.
Another unanswered question: Will the Dynamic Island live on with under-display Face ID?
With the iPhone 17 series still a year away, there is plenty of time remaining for additional rumors, which should give us a better idea of what to expect.
Apple's iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max launched in markets around the world on September 20. If you're the new owner of one of Apple's latest models, then keep reading. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or completely new to the devices, this article will help you get the most out your iPhone 16.
With the first round of pre-ordered devices now in the hands of customers and availability in stores, MacRumors has put together the following series of dedicated iPhone 16 how-to articles explaining all the new features that can be found on Apple's newest models.
All iPhone 16 models come with iOS 18 pre-installed. During the iOS 18 beta testing process from June to September, MacRumors wrote a series of in-depth feature guides highlighting every major new addition, plus how tos that walk you through using the new features. Be sure to refer to our ultimate walkthrough, and check out our new charging options how-to and AirPods Pro 2 new features roundup, to get yourself up to speed.
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 16 Pro teardown video, offering a first look inside of the device following its release.
Notably, the video reveals that the smaller iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a metal-enclosed battery, confirming a rumor from last year. The battery has a capacity of 3,582 mAh, which matches the figure that surfaced earlier this week in a Brazilian regulatory filing. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro has a 3,274 mAh battery.
According to Apple, some iPhone 16 batteries use an adhesive that can be easily loosened with low-voltage electrical current, such as from a 9V battery. TechCrunch said this change applies to the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, but not to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The teardown video did not test the low-voltage removal process on the iPhone 16 Pro, but it does reveal that the device's battery still has adhesive pull tabs, which suggests that the new process might indeed be limited to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
Meanwhile, a separate teardown video appears to show that the iPhone 16 Pro Max still has a battery enclosed in black foil instead of metal.
Apple announced that all four iPhone 16 models feature internal design changes for improved heat dissipation. In the teardown video, the iPhone 16 Pro's chassis appears to have a larger thermal sheet compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. Metal-enclosed batteries could also contribute to the heat dissipation improvements.
The video also reveals that the iPhone 16 Pro has a slightly more compact logic board compared to the one in the iPhone 15 Pro, and a few other changes.
Repair website iFixit will likely share its own iPhone 16 teardowns later.
iOS 18 has now been officially released after months of beta testing. On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through our top features in Apple's latest major software update.
We go through some of iOS 18's significant system changes, including the redesigned Control Center and new Home Screen customization tools, as well as some of the smaller quality-of-life enhancements such as the Passwords app, RCS support, improvements to the Notes app, and emojis as tapbacks in Messages. We also touch on iPhone mirroring in macOS Sequoia, and some of the areas we'd like to see Apple work on for next year's updates. The next major version of iOS 18 will be iOS 18.1, which will start to bring Apple Intelligence to ordinary users around the world. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the Apple Watch Series 10, iPhone 16 lineup, AirPods 4, and everything else that was announced at Apple's "It's Glowtime" event.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
In a recent interview with Engadget, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering Kate Bergeron and AirPods marketing director Eric Treski explained how the company was able to add "great" active noise cancellation (ANC) to the higher-end AirPods 4, even though the earbuds have an "open-ear design" without silicone ear tips.
Apple said the H2 chip and "computational audio" were significant factors in adding ANC to the standard AirPods for the first time.
"It's even computationally more intense in many ways than it is with the AirPods Pro," said Bergeron, in regards to ANC on the AirPods 4.
"It's really, really hard to create this great ANC quality in a non-ear-tip product," said Treski. "The power of the H2 allows that, so we're actually doing a lot with the H2 chip to manage ANC quality and listen from the mics for environmental noise to make sure we're canceling as much as possible."
Apple said the revised shape and acoustic architecture of the AirPods 4 also contributes to the earbuds having effective ANC.
The full interview offers additional details about how Apple designed the AirPods 4, which became available in stores today. There are two types of AirPods 4, with only the higher-end $179 ones offering active noise cancellation.
Happy iPhone 16 launch day! Apple's latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are now in the hands of consumers, and we thought we'd do a quick first impressions overview for those of you who are waiting for a delivery or who are still on the fence about upgrading.
This year's iPhone 16 is the biggest upgrade for a standard model that we've seen in some time. Performance is not too far off from the Pro models, the Action Button is no longer Pro exclusive, and Apple brought the fun new Camera Control button to all iPhone 16 models, not just the 16 Pro and Pro Max.
The Action Button is more useful than ever before with iOS 18 because you can assign Control Center actions and even third-party app functionality. It can turn on the flashlight, open the Translate app, toggle on Dark Mode, open your favorite app, and so much more.
Apple has talked up the new Camera Control button, which is meant to be used for taking photos in either landscape or portrait mode. It is a little confusing at first, because it's a button, but it also supports pressure sensitivity touch gestures like swipes. The placement is not super convenient in portrait mode and can be a little awkward to use, and it takes some time to adjust to how the button works.
The button does do a lot, though, and you can press twice to snap a photo, press once and then press and hold to take a video, or use gestures to swap different tools to adjust photo parameters.
If you're holding your camera in landscape orientation, the button placement makes more sense, but a lot of iPhone photography is done in portrait mode rather than landscape mode. Apple moved the camera lenses from a diagonal position to a vertical position, and the iPhone 16 models now support spatial photo and videos for the Vision Pro, but it's not clear how many people are actually using that functionality.
Apple added new Photographic Styles and a handy little adjustment pad for editing the intensity and look of those styles, so it's overall a much more useful feature than before. You can set up a favorite style and then apply it to all of your images for a custom look.
For video, there's an Audio Mix feature that changes the way that audio sounds in your video recordings. You can pull out the voice of the subject of a video while muting the background noise, or direct all sound forward like in a movie.
There are new color options this year, and the teal iPhone that we tested was a bright, vibrant shade of blue. You can also get ultramarine (a dark purple blue), pink, white, and black.
As for the A18 chip, depending on which iPhone you're upgrading from, you might not see any speed improvements because most iPhone apps don't stress the CPU or GPU of modern processors, but the A18 does support Apple Intelligence. All iPhone 16 models get the Apple Intelligence features coming in iOS 18.1 and later updates.
For a smartphone starting at $799, the iPhone 16 is a surprisingly good value this year, and it's a worthwhile upgrade if you're coming from anything older than an iPhone 14. With the iPhone 14 and beyond, it's a less obvious upgrade, but there are still some great features to look forward to.
Apple's new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are now being delivered to customers worldwide following the pre-order period that began on Friday, September 13. For those who didn't pre-order the Pro models or chose to wait, many configurations now have estimated delivery dates in October. However, there's good news for customers wanting their devices sooner: Select Apple Store locations globally are offering same-day or next-day pickup options.
As of writing, Apple's online stores in the United States and Canada haven't yet been updated to show pickup availability, but shortages aren't expected and there is unlikely to be much variation state by state. Meanwhile across the pond, all iPhone 16 colors and configurations are available for Apple Store pickup today in countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Apple Stores in Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, and the UAE are also offering same-day pickup options.
To order a product with Apple Store pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com or in the Apple Store app, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP or postal code, choose an available Apple Store location, select a pickup date, and select a 15-minute check-in window. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.
iPhone 16 models may also be available for walk-in customers at Apple Store locations with sufficient inventory, but availability can't be guaranteed. Walk-in customers may be placed into a separate queue with lower priority upon arrival to the store.
The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are a big update over previous standard models, coming with many features that were once limited to Pro models. New capabilities include a customizable Action button, a new Camera Control button for quick access to camera functions, a 48MP Fusion camera, macro photography, a new A18 chip capable of powering Apple Intelligence (forthcoming), and more.
iPhone 16 Pro models also have several new features, including larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays with thinner bezels, longer battery life, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, a faster A18 Pro chip, Wi-Fi 7 support, faster 5G, faster charging, and more. Click the tags at the bottom of this article for all the details.
It's Friday, September 20 in Australia and New Zealand, so customers in those countries who pre-ordered an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, or AirPods 4 are starting to receive their device deliveries.
Apple fans who ordered a new product are sharing photos and first impressions of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4 on Instagram, Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social networks. If you've already received one of the new devices, let us know in the comments below and make sure to share pictures and your initial thoughts!
With no retail stores in New Zealand, customers in Australia are the first to be able to pick up new devices or purchase an iPhone in an Apple Store. Available in-store stock in Australia will provide insight into what we can expect in other Apple Stores around the world, but so far, there have been no rumors of shortages.
iPhone 16 Pro orders did sell out during the pre-order period, and online shipping estimates now range into October. If you missed pre-orders, you can likely get one of the new devices at an Apple Store or a nearby location like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.
Following New Zealand and Australia, sales and deliveries of the new iPhone 15 models and the new Apple Watches will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. Many Apple Stores worldwide will be opening up early at around 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up reserved devices and make walk-in purchases.
Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors, as we'll have a hands-on and unboxing tomorrow, followed by deep dives into the feature set of the new devices, camera comparisons, and more.
Apple today released the first public betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October launch.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option.
iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta features Writing Tools, Siri changes, summaries, and smart replies. Note that to use Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or M-series Mac or iPad.
Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text.
Siri has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to Siri means you don't have to speak to Siri to get answers. Siri can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications.
Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos.
All iOS 18.1 users can now access phone call recording and transcribing, with recorded calls saved in the Notes app, but summarizing phone calls from those transcriptions is an Apple Intelligence feature. Today's update also brings spatial photo capabilities to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The list of states where the feature is available currently includes Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, and most recently California, and Apple today announced that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia are now committed to supporting the feature in the future.
Apple also announced that users will soon be able to present their Wallet app ID in person for select services, including CLEAR member enrollment at airports. The feature will also be supported in the CLEAR, MyChart, and Uber Eats apps soon.
In 2022, Apple said Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah were also committed to offering driver's licenses in the Wallet app, but none of those states have rolled out the feature yet, and it is unclear if any still plan to. The feature has yet to expand beyond the U.S., but it will work with Japan's My Number Card eventually.
Participating Airports
Apple Wallet app IDs can be used at select TSA checkpoints within select U.S. airports:
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
Apple says travelers should refer to TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability of the feature, and the TSA's website offers more details.
iPhone users in California can now add their digital driver's licenses and IDs in the Apple Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch, with California expanding an ongoing test of the digital license feature.
Several MacRumors readers have reported seeing the California license as an option in the Wallet app, under the label "California mDL Pilot." Prior to now, only a limited number of people were seeing the option.
Wallet app integration is part of California's mobile driver's license effort, which kicked off a year ago. More than 500,000 people have already added a driver's license or ID to the California DMV Wallet app, where California tested the option before starting to roll it out to the Wallet app.
Apple announced California's Wallet license plans back in August, and said that it was working with California to bring IDs to Apple Wallet.
"We're excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple's home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver's license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. "Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless - all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch."
IDs and licenses stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or iPad can be used for TSA screenings at select airports (including SFO, LAX, and SJC) and for age verification at select stores. Right now, California's mobile wallet support is still in an early stage, and only 1.5 million participants are able to sign up.
California requires people to continue to carry a physical license or ID card because the digital license is not accepted by law enforcement, state government agencies, and most businesses.
Apple announced a new Wallet app that supported digital IDs back in 2022, but states have been slow to adopt the feature. So far, only Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio have implemented support. Apple said in 2022 that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah are working on support, and today added that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia also plan to adopt the functionality.
Display panel shipments for refreshed versions of the MacBook Air and the low-cost iPad will begin in October, display analyst Ross Young said in a tweet for subscribers. Apple is working on new M4 versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, as well as a new version of the 10.9-inch iPad.
Apple is expected to refresh the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and iPad mini in October of this year, and it would make sense for a new low-cost iPad to be introduced alongside those devices. Panel shipments that start in October suggest that the low-cost iPad would not be ready for an October event.
As for the MacBook Air, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that new models with M4 chips will come out in the first quarter of 2025, and on Twitter, he added that the October display shipment timing sounds correct for a Q1 launch.
The October panel shipment timing is unusual for the iPad, so we will need to see what Apple has planned in the coming months. Rumors right now suggest that we can count on an October event that features at least some new Macs and iPads.
Apple has suspended MacBook bearing supplier Kersen's production for inspection purposes due to "quality issues," and shifted orders to other suppliers through the end of the year, according to a report today from Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes.
The report said the suspension came after Apple discovered a high defect rate with the Chinese supplier's bearings in August. The bearings are used in previous-generation MacBook Air models, rather than the latest models, according to the report.
None of the MacBook Air models with defective bearings reached the market, the report added:
Industry insiders indicate that the defects were present from the beginning, but Apple only detected them during destructive testing later in the process. A subsequent full batch inspection revealed a high defect rate. Fortunately, none of the faulty products have reached the market. However, bearing defects typically take one to two years of use before becoming noticeable to consumers.
It is unclear exactly which component the report is referring to.
The report cites industry sources who believe that Apple's alleged "aggressive pricing tactics" with component vendors increases the risk of quality issues.
Apple was able to introduce significant gains in battery life across the entire iPhone 16 lineup, and new regulatory information from Brazilian agency Anatel (via Blog do iPhone) reveals just how much battery capacity has increased compared to the iPhone 15 lineup.
Battery capacity increased the most in the iPhone 16 Pro at nine percent, with a ~six percent increase for other models.
The new A18 and A18 Pro chips and thermal improvements have also helped to boost battery life, with the biggest improvements seen in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Plus - 26 hours video playback, 20 hours streaming video, 100 hours audio.
iPhone 15 Pro - 23 hours video playback, 20 hours streaming video, 75 hours audio.
iPhone 15 Pro Max - 29 hours video playback, 25 hours streaming video, 95 hours audio.
All of the iPhone 16 models support faster 25W MagSafe charging, but you do need one of Apple’s new MagSafe chargers to get it, and you’ll need a 30W power adapter to see the fastest wireless charging speeds. Apple also says that the new devices can charge at up to 45W over USB-C.
The iPhone 16 models are available for pre-order and are set to launch tomorrow.
Apple on September 16 released macOS Sequoia, the latest version of the company's Mac operating system. macOS Sequoia introduces interactive iPhone Mirroring, easier window tiling, a new Passwords app, and updated capabilities across the platform.
In this article, we've selected 50 new features and lesser-known changes that are worth checking out if you're upgrading. What do you think of macOS Sequoia so far? Let us know in the comments.
1. Distraction Control
If you are tired of pop-ups and banners interrupting your web browsing experience, it's worth getting to know Distraction Control, a new Safari feature that helps you focus on the content that matters by minimizing intrusive elements on webpages. While it's not designed as an ad blocker, Distraction Control can significantly improve your reading experience by hiding static distractions.
To nix a distracting item on a webpage, click the Page menu icon in the address bar and select Hide Distracting Items. Then simply hover your pointer over the item in question, whereupon it will be auto-selected for removal. With another click, the distraction will disintegrate before your eyes. When you're finished, click Done in the address bar. If you're on a webpage where you've hidden items, a crossed out eye icon will appear in the address bar, indicating that you can make them visible again by revisiting the Page menu and selecting Show Hidden Items.
2. Window Tiling
With macOS Sequoia, Apple has introduced a new window tiling management feature that aims to make it easy to arrange open windows into a layout that works best for you. When you drag a window to the edge of the screen, macOS Sequoia suggests a tiled position by displaying a frame, and you release the window to drop it right into place. This way, you can quickly arrange two app windows side by side, or place four windows in corners to keep several apps in view at once. When a window has been dragged to tile on one side or the other, dragging it back immediately resizes it to its original width and height.
macOS 15 also adds new tiling options to the green traffic light in the top corner of windows. Hover your pointer over the green button, and a menu appears with options to move and resize or fill and arrange all open windows.
3. Adjust AirPods Adaptive Audio
Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro have an Adaptive Audio feature that includes Adaptive Noise Control, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness, which are all features that adjust sound and Active Noise Cancellation in response to the environment around you.
Previously, Adaptive Audio was an all or nothing setting, but that's changed in macOS Sequoia. Apple has added a "Customize Adaptive Audio" menu that lets you adjust the setting to allow for more or less noise.
4. AirPods Pro Head Gestures
With the new head gesture features, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. Siri interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.
In Sequoia, Apple has added a section to the AirPods Pro menu in System Settings, enabling you to turn the gestures on and off.
5. Game Porting Toolkit 2
Apple's Game Porting Toolkit 2 allows developers to run unmodified Windows executables on Apple silicon Macs using the evaluation environment for Windows PC games, but end users can use it to run games too. The latest version supports an even larger set of game technologies, improved graphics and compute compatibility, ray tracing, the AVX2 instruction set, and increased performance.
6. New Dynamic Wallpapers
Sequoia features several new wallpapers, including dynamic versions. The wallpapers feature the sequoia trees that macOS Sequoia is named for. The imagery likely comes from Sequoia National Park, located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. There are three separate versions of the wallpaper for different times of day: Sequoia Sunrise, Sequoia Morning, and Sequoia Night.
Each wallpaper is animated and will shift slightly at the Lock Screen when you unlock your Mac, plus there is an option to set it as a screen saver. There's also a fun new Macintosh dynamic wallpaper and screensaver combination that highlights classic Mac icons.
7. New Chess Graphics
Apple has significantly updated the built-in Chess app in macOS Sequoia, marking its first major overhaul since macOS 10.3 in 2003. While not typically frequently used, the Chess app has received a substantial visual upgrade. It now boasts improved textures, lighting effects, and rendering for both the board and pieces. Users can also enjoy new aesthetic options with wood, metal, and marble skins for the game elements. Despite these enhancements, Apple has ensured backwards compatibility allowing users to access and continue their previously saved games in the new version.
8. Safari Video Viewer
When watching a video in Safari, click the menu icon in the left-hand side of the address bar and select the new Video Viewer option. This makes the playing video expand within the Safari window into a kind of theater mode that blurs everything out behind it, bringing the content front and center.
It also includes a native playback controls interface that replaces YouTube's – or the UI of whatever video you are playing. Options include AirPlay, volume, Picture in Picture, and playback speed.
9. Move & Resize Windows Controls
Accessed from the menu bar, a new "Move & Resize" option in the Window menu allows you to easily manage and arrange windows on your screen by offering various tiling and resizing options. You can move a window to the top, bottom, left, or right half of the screen, or position it into one of the four corners if you prefer a quarter-screen layout.
macOS also provides more flexible arrangements, such as splitting the screen horizontally or vertically, where you can tile windows side by side or one above the other. For even more control, there's a feature to quickly return a window to its previous size and position, making it easy to undo any changes.
10. Set Scenes in Freeform
In the Freeform app, Apple has introduced "scenes" to make it easier to navigate and present Freeform boards. Scenes are saved views of specific sections of your board, offering a versatile way to organize and present your work. By creating scenes, you can divide your board into distinct, labeled sections, making it easier to navigate through complex content.
To create a scene, open a board with content, then zoom and scroll until you frame the part of your board you want on the screen for your first scene. Then click the three bullets icon and click Add Scene. Simply repeat these steps until you capture all the scenes you want.
11. Collapse Sections in Notes
In the Notes app, if you have long notes with multiple headings, you can now collapse those headings down to create a more compact note.
Any section header can be collapsed, including headings, subheadings, and titles. Just click on a heading and then click on the down arrow to collapse it. Click the arrow again to open it up.
12. New Passwords App
Apple added a dedicated Passwords app in macOS Sequoia, where logins and passwords stored in iCloud Keychain can be accessed. It's essentially the Passwords section that used to be located in Safari's settings, but in a dedicated app that makes it easier to find your stored login information.
The app has a simple layout with a search bar in the top-right of the window, so you can look up the information that you're looking for. If you've already used the iCloud Keychain feature, all of your saved logins and passwords are ready to go as soon as you authenticate with Touch ID or your Mac password. There are separate sections for passwords and logins (under All), Passkeys, two-factor authentication codes, Wi-Fi passwords, security warnings, and logins that have been deleted.
You can click in to any of the sections to see what's listed there, and selecting an individual entry shows the login and password. Each entry has fields for site or app name, username, login, verification code, websites where the login is used, and notes. There's also an option for changing your password for any given entry.
13. iPhone Mirroring
Apple has added support for iPhone Mirroring, one of the main updates coming to the Mac. iPhone Mirroring is a Continuity feature that lets you control your iPhone from your Mac. When you're signed in to the same Apple Account on a Mac and an iPhone, you can use iPhone Mirroring to interact with your iPhone even when the iPhone is locked. You can open up and use apps, deal with notifications, send messages, and more.
You can use your Mac keyboard, trackpad, or mouse with your iPhone, which is useful for typing up long emails and other documents on the iPhone, and it provides an easy way to keep up with your iPhone notifications without having to pull out your device and check it. When you click on a notification on your Mac when using iPhone Mirroring, it is supposed to open up right into the app on your iPhone.
In a future update, iPhone Mirroring will allow files, photos, and videos to be dragged and dropped between your iPhone and Mac and vice versa.
14. Screen Recording Permissions
If you use an app that can record or share your screen, a new permissions popup will appear that allows you to permit access for one month. You'll encounter the same popup for the same app on a monthly basis, as part of Apple's efforts to improve macOS security measures.
15. iPhone Notifications
In System Settings ➝ Notifications, there's an "Allow notifications from iPhone" menu that gives you several options. These include options to enable or disable sounds for notifications from iPhone, select which specific app notifications to mirror, and turn the entire feature on and off.
16. Show Passwords in Menu Bar
If you want to make access to the new Passwords app a lot more convenient, go to Passwords ➝ Settings... and check the box next to "Show Passwords in Menu Bar." When you're next on a website in Safari that you have login credentials for, click the key icon in the menu bar, and you'll see the dropdown menu automatically detect which login details you're looking for, ready for you to select. This also works with other browsers that have the iCloud Passwords browser extension installed.
17. Highlight Text in Notes
The Notes app now supports colors for typed text, allowing for highlighting. Apple added five colors, including pink, purple, orange, mint, and blue, with the colors able to be added through the formatting interface. Simply click on the Aa button to get to the color options when a word or phrase is selected.
18. Change Which iPhone to Mirror
In the event that you own more than one iPhone, in System Settings ➝ Desktop & Dock, under "Widgets," there's a new iPhone option that lets you choose which iPhone to mirror on your desktop.
19. Safari Highlights
When you're browsing in Safari, look for a purple sparkle over the tool icon in the browser bar. This indicates Highlights are available. Think of Highlights as a kind of smart assistant within Safari, saving you time and effort by eliminating the need to manually search through lengthy web content.
Click the sparkle to open the Highlights window. This can display address details and operating hours for businesses, and give you quick access to directions. When browsing pages about people, it might show brief biographical information, and for entertainment content it can offer direct links to play songs or summarize reviews for movies and TV shows.
20. Remove Margins From Tiled Windows
If you're not a fan of the spaces between tiled windows and don't like how the desktop seeps through the margins, there's a new option in System Settings ➝ Desktop & Dock that lets you remove them. Under the "Windows" section, look for the toggle called "Tiled windows have margins."
21. Math Notes
Apple has added a powerful new feature to your Mac's Calculator app: Math Notes. This integration between Calculator and Notes offers a versatile tool for all your calculation needs. It's particularly handy for splitting bills, calculating group expenses, or working through more complex mathematical problems.
Math Notes allows you to type equations directly into a note, with automatic solving when you add an equals sign. You can perform a wide range of calculations, including defining variables for more complex math. For example, if you're planning a night out, you could write "dinner = $57" and "movies = $24" in a note, then simply type "dinner + movies =" to get the total cost. To access the feature, click the calculator symbol at the bottom left of the calculator window and select Math Notes.
You're not limited to accessing Math Notes through the Calculator app – you can also use the feature directly within the Notes app using any new or existing note. In fact, you can get Math results almost anywhere in the operating system. If you type an equation into Spotlight, for example, you'll get a result, and the same goes for apps like Messages.
22. New AirDrop Interface
Sequoia includes a new UI for AirDrop that shows you a progress bar and even gives you the option to show the file in Finder once the transfer is complete, making it a lot easier to find what you've received on your Mac.
23. iPhone Mirroring Controls
When using iPhone Mirroring, if you hover your pointer just above the iPhone screen it will reveal its window and two buttons to quickly access the Home Screen and the App Switcher. There are also keyboard shortcuts to access apps, while pressing Command and the +/- keys increases and decreases the size of the mirroring window.
24. New Window Sharing Options
macOS Sequoia's Presenter Preview feature improves screen sharing by allowing you to share specific apps or windows instead of the entire screen. You can adjust what's being shared during a call, adding or removing windows as needed. There are also buttons to show all windows and change the presenter overlay size, giving you more control over the content being presented.
macOS uses a video controller at the top-right corner of the screen during video calls, which includes controls for webcam features when in use. This panel also now shows a preview of what's being shared, helping you stay aware of what others can see on your desktop during screen sharing sessions.
25. New FaceTime Backgrounds
macOS Sequoia includes a set of new backgrounds for FaceTime calls, including several that showcase features of Apple Park. There are nine backgrounds in all, featuring iconic locations around the company's circular headquarters in Cupertino, California.
Other new built-in backgrounds that can be used for FaceTime and other video calls to blur out and hide what's behind you include different color gradients, along with the ability to use photos from your photo library.
26. Private Wi-Fi Address Options
In System Settings ➝ Wi-Fi, if you click the Details button next to the currently connected network, there's a new Private Wi-Fi address option that may be familiar to users with iOS devices. A fixed private address reduces cross-network tracking by using a unique Wi-Fi address on the network. You can make it Fixed, Rotating, or turn off the option.
27. Record and Transcribe Voice Notes
Apple has made a significant enhancement to the Notes app, introducing a built-in audio recording feature that streamlines the process of capturing and transcribing voice notes. The new audio recording tool in Notes offers more than just simple voice capture. As users record, the app automatically generates a real-time transcript, making it easier to review and search through recorded content.
To record a voice note, simply click the new waveform icon in the Notes toolbar. An interface will appear on the right showing the audio recording controls, as well as a speech bubble icon that you can use to view the transcript. When you've finished your recording, it will be saved in the note along with the accompanying transcription.
28. Web App Content Blocker Support
In Sequoia, web apps now support content blockers and Safari extensions, making the webpage content they present more customizable. You can control these settings by selecting Settings in the web app's menu bar, and clicking the Extensions tab.
29. Window Title Bar Double-Click Options
In System Settings ➝ Desktop & Dock, there's a new option to change the behavior of a window when you double-click its title bar. In Sonoma, the default behavior is to zoom the window, but in Sequoia you can change "Double-click a window's title bar to" Fill, Zoom, Minimize, or Do Nothing.
30. Hover Typing
If you struggle to see what you're typing in a text field in macOS, this new feature should be very welcome. In System Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Hover Text, there's a new Hover Typing option that when enabled will enlarge any input field that you're typing into so that it's displayed more clearly across the center of the screen.
31. Calculator Changes
In line with iOS 18, the Calculator app for macOS has been updated, so that it now shows full expressions as you type them out. You can click on this display to undo the last thing you typed, or use the backspace button that appears when you begin pressing buttons.
By clicking the button with the calculator icon, you can now also switch between Basic, Scientific, and Programmer calculators, open your Math Notes, or switch to a plethora of conversion options using Convert. The new Convert option supports unit conversions for length, weight, currencies, and more. Here's the full list of conversions that it supports:
Angle
Area
Currency
Data
Energy
Force
Fuel
Length
Power
Pressure
Speed
Temperature
Time
Volume
Weight
32. App Store Free Space Requirements
App downloads and installations from the Mac App Store will no longer require double the amount of local storage space available. Instead, the free space requirement now matches the final install size of the app, plus a small buffer.
Apple has told developers to update any messaging related to app size requirements to reflect the change, which should reduce confusion about how much free space is needed for new app installations. The new space requirement in macOS 15 should benefit users who download large games in particular.
33. RCS Messaging
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a messaging standard Apple has adopted in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18 to bridge the gap between green and blue bubbles. With RCS Messaging (Settings ➝ Messages ➝ RCS Messaging) and Text Message Forwarding enabled on your iPhone (Settings ➝ Messages ➝ Text Message Forwarding) for your Mac, you can enjoy all the capabilities RCS brings cross-platform conversations right on your desktop.
With RCS support, you can send texts, high resolution photos and videos, links, and more through the Messages app, just as if they were iMessages. RCS also supports delivery and read receipts and typing indicators. Note that RCS support must be enabled by each carrier. You can check if your network supports it by visiting Apple's Wireless carrier support webpage.
34. New iCloud Settings Panel
Just like on iPhone with iOS 18, the iCloud section in System Settings ➝ Apple Account has been completely redesigned for macOS Sequoia. The panel is divided into neater sections showing your storage, files saved to iCloud, and any iCloud+ features you may have, making everything just a little bit easier to comprehend. You can also manage how individual apps and features on your Mac sync with iCloud by clicking the See All button.
35. Vocal Shortcuts
In System Settings ➝ Accessibility, there's an option to set up the new Vocal Shortcuts feature, which allows you to teach your Mac to recognize a custom phrase that you can say to quickly perform an action. These phrases can be used for anything from triggering Siri requests to shortcuts on your Mac.
36. Use Emoji as Messages Tapback Reactions
Apple has introduced significant updates to its Messages app in macOS Sequoia, with a particular focus on enhancing the popular Tapback feature. Tapbacks, the quick reactions users can add to messages by long-pressing on them, have received a colorful makeover and expanded functionality.
The six standard Tapback icons now feature more vibrant colors and intricate details. But perhaps the most notable change is the addition of emoji support for Tapbacks. While the classic six reactions remain, you now have the option to choose from a wide array of emoji characters, adding a new layer of personalization to your message responses.
37. Sign In With Apple Settings
In the Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) section of System Settings, there's a new section called Sign in with Apple that shows you a list of all the websites and services where you use the sign-in with Apple service. From here, you can also opt to share your sign-ins with other members of your family members and close friends via the Passwords app.
38. Home and Work Locations in Weather
In the Weather app's Settings, there's a new Home and Work option under "Locations," so if you have two different places where you live and where you work, you can have them labeled as such in the app. Home and work locations can be updated by editing your Contacts card.
If you click on the daily forecasts in the main Weather screen, you'll also see a more comprehensive consolidation of weather conditions for that day.
39. Messages Text Effects and Formatting
Among the new features in the Messages app, you can now add neat text effects to your messages to make them more expressive. The new animated text effects can be applied to your entire message, a single word, a phrase, or even an emoji or sticker. The options include Big, Small, Shake, Nod, Explode, Ripple, Bloom, and Jitter.
Using the same contextual menu, you can also now add emphasis to your text messages using bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough formatting. You can now apply these formatting options to entire messages, individual words, or even specific letters, offering a higher degree of customization in how you communicate.
40. Make Siri Listen for Atypical Speech
In System Settings ➝ Accessibility, under the "Siri" section, there's a new option to make Siri listen for atypical speech. This feature expands the speech patterns Siri will listen for to help improve speech recognition, according to Apple's description.
41. HDMI Passthrough Support
In macOS Sequoia, several Apple apps have gained a new HDMI Passthrough feature that enables a Mac to send an unaltered Dolby Atmos audio signal to a connected AV receiver or soundbar. The new functionality appears in various places in macOS 15, including Apple's TV, Music, and QuickTime Player apps. Apple says turning on the option lets users "Play supported audio in Dolby Atmos and other Dolby Audio formats using HDMI Passthrough when connected to a supported device."
This feature is likely to be welcomed by users who connect their Mac to an external device that supports Dolby Atmos, such as an AV receiver or soundbar. When conected via HDMI cable, the device will be able to decode and output the full immersive Dolby Atmos audio as it was meant to be experienced by the creators, while sending any accompanying video signal to a connected TV.
42. Reminders in Calendar
Like iOS 18, macOS Sequoia introduces long-awaited Calendar app integration with Reminders. Adding a reminder to a day or hour is as easy as right-clicking and selecting Add reminder. The Calendar interface includes all the reminder functions you'd want to have access to, without having to open the Reminders app.
43. Headphone Accommodations
In System Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Audio, you'll now find Headphone Accommodations, a feature previously only available on iOS and iPadOS. This tool allows you to customize audio output for select Apple and Beats headphones to suit your hearing needs.
To use this feature, you engage in a "Custom Audio Setup" process. This involves resetting your EQ and Balance settings to their defaults, then listening to various audio samples, and selecting the sample that sounds best to you. Choosing "Use Custom Settings" will apply these preferences.
44. System Settings Default Behavior
Apple has made changes to the System Settings interface to improve accessibility and navigation. A key modification is the new default view: Upon opening System Settings, you'll now see the General tab first, rather than the Appearance menu as in previous versions. This change places frequently used options in a more prominent position and reduces the number of steps required to access common settings.
45. Inline Math in Many Fields
You're not limited to accessing the new Math features through the Calculator – you can also use the feature directly within the Notes app using any new or existing note. In fact, you can get Math results almost anywhere in the operating system where you type. If you type a calculation into Spotlight, you'll still get a result, but the same now goes for apps like TextEdit and Messages.
46. Open Contextual Menu Shortcut
Windows has had this feature for ages, and finally it's come to Mac. In Sequoia, you can now open a contextual menu in text-based apps by pressing Control+Enter, so if you make a text selection or just want to choose a contextual option while you're typing away, your fingers no longer need to leave the keyboard.
47. iPhone Mirroring Touch ID Support
If you're mirroring your iPhone to your desktop and attempt to open an app that requires authentication, you don't need to pick up your iPhone or resign yourself to an inaccessible app – you can just use Touch ID on your Mac.
48. Redesigned Safari Reader View Options
A longstanding feature in Safari, Reader Mode allows users to view web pages in a simplified format, stripping away ads, videos, and other distractions to focus solely on the text and images. This clean interface has been a favorite among users who prefer a more streamlined reading experience, especially for longer articles or text-heavy websites.
In macOS Sequoia, Apple has redesigned the Reader interface so that it's easier to define your readability and customization options, allowing you to quickly tailor your reading experience to your preferences.
49. Schedule Messages to Send Later
This addition to the Messages app now allows users to schedule text messages for future delivery. Available exclusively for iMessage conversations via the + button, the Send Later function enables you to compose messages in advance and set a specific time or date for them to be sent by editing the clock. This feature is particularly useful for remembering important dates or managing communication across different time zones.
The feature works for both individual and group chats, provided all participants are using Apple devices with iMessage enabled. Scheduled messages are displayed at the bottom of a conversation. If you want to cancel a scheduled message or edit, simply right-click it and select the desired option. Note that messages can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance.
50. Hiking Trails in Maps
The Maps app now features detailed trail networks and hikes, including all 63 U.S. national parks. You can do a search for "hikes" or "hiking routes" in the Maps app to see nearby trail options, with Apple including hike length, elevation, ratings, and other details where available. Hikes can be filtered by length, route type (loop, point to point, or out and back), and elevation, and can be saved for offline access. If you click on a trail, You can also see a full overview of the trail's path and get lengths for each section.
Maps also supports custom routes, so you can plan out a specific hiking route that you want to take. At a trailhead, you can click on the "Create a Custom Route" option to initiate the custom routing experience. From there, click on the map to begin setting points for your route, and the Maps app will provide length and elevation details. You can also have the Maps app finish a route automatically by selecting the Reverse, Out and Back, or Close Loop options (shown in the image in the top-right corner).