macOS 27

All about macOS 27

macOS 27 will be revealed during WWDC 2026 on June 8, though little is known about what will be included in that release. Rumors point to Apple focusing on stability with its group of OS 27 updates, but big changes could be coming to Apple Intelligence.

There will undoubtedly be a place name from California that is used instead of the version number, but where is anyone's guess. Death Valley and various coastal preserves are on everyone's short list.

One rumor suggested the name could be macOS Big Bear due to a file name found in the social media Hashmoji.

The Mac operating system, macOS, is built by secretive teams that don't share anything outside of those closed doors. Leaks tend to occur when alpha builds begin being distributed in December or January, but even then, such leaks are rare.

A significant change is coming with macOS 27. Apple has promised that macOS Tahoe is the last to support Intel-based Macs, which also means the end of Rosetta 2.

If trends continue, Apple will reveal additional features that help enhance device customization, social interaction, and privacy protections. Though, artificial intelligence is going to play a bigger role in this update cycle than it has before.

A new Apple Foundation Model

Artificial intelligence is at its best when it is being constantly iterated. Apple isn't really one to iterate in that way, though Apple Intelligence models have been adjusted with each OS update.

Apple Intelligence could see a second major upgrade with macOS 27

macOS Tahoe 26.5 is expected to have a new Siri and Apple Intelligence built with a more powerful Apple Foundation Model trained by Google Gemini. This release will finally bring about the app intent-based system Apple first announced during WWDC 2024 and delayed in early 2025.

What's coming with macOS 27 in June 2026 is an evolution of that technology. While little is known, the new Siri update is said to be the main focus of the OS 27 release cycle.

The Siri upgrade has been described as more chatbot-like, though it still won't have an app as a destination. Instead, this can be interpreted as the assistant having improved memory and personality.

Apple Foundation Models running this OS 27 Siri is said to be even more powerful thanks to using Gemini 3 to train, but that could lead to bottlenecks with Apple's current server load. So, Apple could begin leasing Google's TPU servers for use as Private Cloud Compute servers.

It is an important distinction to make, as Apple CEO Tim Cook has emphasized the fact multiple times, that Apple Intelligence and Siri will run on-device or in Private Cloud Compute powered by Apple Foundation Models. Gemini isn't interacting with user content, nor is data getting sent to Google in any fashion.

If Google TPU servers are leased, they'll be operated as Private Cloud Compute servers and treated with the same security and privacy requirements as Apple's own. Users should have no fear of their privacy or data being compromised.

macOS 27 features

Apple's operating systems don't leak, generally. There's the occasional alpha build that gets out, but even those only provide so much information ahead of time.

macOS 27 will drop Intel support

Improvements to Liquid Glass are an obvious go-to for Apple. It proved controversial at launch and users still complain of issues with readability in some areas, and the departure of Alan Dye could help push for some change.

However, it's all too soon for any real change to occur that wasn't already planned. Refinements could go a long way in improving Liquid Glass, especially if users and devs are given more options, but don't expect dramatic changes.

Users especially complained about the implementation of Liquid Glass on Mac. Apple could take a step back or offer users more controls, or it could double down and attempt to refine the design.

More might be gleaned once macOS Tahoe 26.5 is revealed. From there, Apple should have a clear path to what's coming in the summer for macOS 27.