Apple today at WWDC announced macOS 15 Sequoia, the next version of its Mac operating system with several new AI capabilities also announced for iPhone with iOS 18, in addition to a new Password app, a major Safari update, and a new Continuity feature called iPhone Mirroring.
At the heart of the new AI features is “Apple Intelligence,” which Apple says is a deeply integrated, personalized AI experience for Apple devices that uses advanced generative artificial intelligence to improve user experiences on iPhone, iPad and Mac .
According to Apple, the service “combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver information that is incredibly useful and relevant.” Apple Intelligence “understands and creates language and images, takes action across apps, and draws on personal context, simplifying and accelerating everyday tasks.”
“The outstanding combination of the power of Apple Silicon and the legendary ease of use of macOS has made Mac more capable than ever. Today, we’re excited to take macOS to new heights with macOS Sequoia, a major release that takes productivity and intelligence to the next level,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “macOS Sequoia ushers in Apple Intelligence and unlocks incredible new features that will be a game changer for working on Mac. And with more ways to help users get things done effortlessly, new Continuity features like iPhone Mirroring, major updates to Safari and a host of new games, we think Mac users will love it.”
As part of the new AI features, Image Playground allows users to create playful images in seconds, choosing from three styles: animation, illustration or sketch. Designed for ease of use, Image Playground is built directly into apps like Messages, but is also available in a dedicated app.
macOS Sequoia includes a new continuity feature called iPhone Mirroring, which lets you view and control your iPhone directly from your Mac. According to Apple, “a user’s custom wallpapers and icons look just like they do on their iPhone, and they can swipe between pages on their home screen, or launch and browse their favorite apps.” Not only that, but the keyboard, trackpad, and mouse on the Mac let you interact with your iPhone, and it even has audio coming through.
Your iPhone on your Mac shows everything, including icons, the Home screen, apps, and more. Any app can be opened and all the while your iPhone can remain locked so no one else can access it. You can even seamlessly drag and drop items and files from your Mac to your iPhone. macOS 15 also brings iPhone notifications to Mac, where they appear alongside Mac notifications and can be responded to.
Meanwhile, Safari now offers Highlights, which Apple describes as “an even easier way to discover information on the web, like directions, summaries, or quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows.” Reader mode has been redesigned to include a streamlined view of the article, a summary, and a table of contents for longer articles.”
Additionally, macOS now automatically adjusts windows so that they are side by side and fill the screen, utilizing maximum screen real estate. Drag a window to the edge of the screen and macOS Sequoia automatically suggests a tile position on your desktop. There are also new keyboard and menu shortcuts designed to better organize tiles.
Presenter’s Preview feature has also been updated, with new keyboard and menu shortcuts that allow users to organize tiles. Users can also add built-in wallpapers, including color gradients and system backgrounds, or upload their own photos. Background replacements can also be applied during a video call in FaceTime or in third-party apps like Webex.
macOS 15 also includes a new dedicated Passwords app, which lets you manage Wi-Fi passwords, app and website passwords, verification codes, and more. Passwords are synced across devices, and macOS uses autofill to populate passwords in the Passwords app. The Passwords app is also available on Windows, thanks to the iCloud for Windows app.
Apple is also highlighting Memories in Photos, which lets users create the stories they want to see “just by typing a description.” Apple Intelligence selects the best photos and videos based on the description, creates a storyline with chapters based on themes emerging from the photos, and arranges them into a movie with its own storyline. There’s also a new Clean Up tool that can “identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo – without accidentally changing the subject.”
Other features include: Updates to Messages, with all-new text effects, emoji and sticker tapbacks, and the ability to schedule a message to send later; walking and trail routes in Maps, Collections in the Photos app, smarter Notes, and better Calendar/Reminders integration. macOS 15 Sequoia will be released to the public in the fall.