Apple Seeds macOS Tahoe 26 Release Candidate with Big Redesign and Upgrades

Apple has officially rolled out the release candidate of macOS Tahoe 26 to developers, signaling the last stage of testing before the general public release expected next week. A release candidate, often abbreviated as RC, is essentially the version Apple believes is ready for launch, pending any last-minute bug fixes or stability tweaks.

This move comes just days after the much-hyped iPhone 17 keynote and a week following the distribution of the ninth developer beta, underlining how tightly Apple schedules its ecosystem updates around major hardware launches.

Developers registered with Apple can immediately download and install the RC build through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings. The process remains simple: ensure your Apple ID is tied to a valid Developer Account, open System Settings, head to Software Update, and follow the prompts to bring the build onto your Mac. Apple continues to make the installation process as smooth as possible to encourage wide-scale developer testing before the broader rollout to everyday users.

The macOS Tahoe 26 update is particularly notable because Apple is describing it as one of the most significant Mac upgrades in years. At the forefront is the new Liquid Glass design language, a complete visual refresh that emphasizes translucency, depth, and fluid animations while retaining the traditional macOS interface that long-time users expect. For those who felt macOS had grown visually stagnant, Tahoe 26 represents a meaningful shake-up, blending aesthetics and usability.

Core apps such as Safari, Messages, and Photos are also receiving thoughtful refinements. Safari, in particular, introduces performance optimizations and streamlined tab management, while Messages benefits from improved syncing with iOS 26. Photos adds smarter categorization and subtle editing enhancements. Perhaps most importantly, cross-device integration has been tightened – features like Handoff and Universal Clipboard feel faster and more reliable, further blurring the line between iPhone, iPad, and Mac workflows.

Apple hasn’t overlooked productivity either. macOS Tahoe 26 introduces better window management tools, system-level efficiency improvements, and new security protections tailored for sensitive data. While the highly publicized Apple Intelligence suite remains more advanced on iPhone and iPad, Mac users still gain new machine-learning enhancements sprinkled across the OS, making tasks like photo sorting and document recognition more intelligent and automatic.

All in all, this release candidate hints at a polished, ambitious update ready to redefine the Mac experience. For developers, it’s the final chance to put apps through their paces under the new environment. For users, it means that within a matter of days, macOS Tahoe 26 will become the new standard – bringing a fresher look, improved performance, and smarter features to millions of Macs worldwide.