All the new features in macOS Sequoia

MacOS Sequoia, also known as macOS 15, is the latest version of Apple’s desktop operating system. The new operating system brings a lot of new capabilities to the Mac, including a password manager app, video conferencing tools, and updates to Safari, in addition to all the features that come with Apple intelligence– The company’s new system that works with artificial intelligence. Below, we explain how to download it and the latest goodies in this software update.

Be sure to check out our website iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Roundup For all the new features coming to your iPhone and iPad, take a look What’s new in watchOS 11.

Updated January 2025: We added details about macOS 15.2, which includes additional Apple Intelligence features.

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MacOS Sequoia features

Below you’ll find all the key features included in macOS 15. Apple has more Details here.

iPhone mirroring

Image: Apple

Sometimes your iPhone is in the other room or in your bag. For those moments when you need to use it but simply don’t want to get up to find it, you’ll be able to pull it up on your computer. As part of Apple’s Continuity features, iPhone Mirroring gives you the ability to access and interact with your iPhone wirelessly using your Mac.

When the feature is in effect, you will see your iPhone’s customized home screen appear. From there, you can use your keyboard, trackpad, or mouse to drag and drop content (like photos, videos, and files) between both devices, open and use any of your apps, scroll through all the pages on your home screen, and even view and respond to notifications. While you do all this, your iPhone will remain locked. It also works when your iPhone is in standby mode, which is a feature from iOS 17 that turns your iPhone into a smart display while charging.

Safari updates

Image: Apple

MacOS Sequoia brings some new features to the Safari browser. With Highlights, Safari will use machine intelligence to show you relevant information from the web page like directions, links, summaries, and restaurant ratings. Apple has also redesigned the Reader to reduce distractions. In addition to a more elegant presentation of the article, you’ll also see a summary and table of contents (for longer articles). If the web page includes a video, Viewer will place it on top while still giving you access to playback controls (embedded picture-in-picture).

Window tiles

Video: Apple

Those who always keep a large number of browser windows open at once will appreciate the new Window Tiling feature that helps organize them for a better viewing experience. When you drag a window to the edge of your screen, the new operating system will automatically suggest a tiled position on your screen. (It is similar to Capture on Windows.) You can then drop the window into place, arrange multiple windows side by side, or place it at any of the four corners to make room for more applications. For faster organization, you can use keyboard and menu shortcuts as well.

Video conferencing tools

Image: Apple

Last year, Apple added a slew of new tools for video conferencing using Mac Sonoma Including presenter overlay, interactions, and various features of your Mac’s built-in webcam. This year, the company is adding more. With apps like FaceTime and Zoom, you’ll have access to the new Presenter Preview capability that allows you to see what you’re about to share before you actually share it. Meanwhile, the built-in wallpapers feature lets you apply system wallpapers, gradients, or your own photos as a background for video calls. Apple says this feature will be available on FaceTime and third-party apps like Webex.

New password app

Image: Apple

If you didn’t like Keychain before, you now have a better option: macOS Sequoia comes with a new Passwords app that lets you access all your passwords (including Wi-Fi passwords), passkeys, and verification codes in one place. It keeps all your Apple devices in sync, and works on Windows devices (using… iCloud for Windows app) as well, and supports end-to-end encryption.

More with messages

Image: Apple

Some new Messages features are coming to macOS Sequoia, and thus to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 as well. You’ll be able to format your text within messages using the Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough typing wizards. You will also have the ability to add animated effects to a specific word within the text. For some phrases and words, you’ll also see suggestions appear as you type. Apple has added new Tapbacks too – instead of using the traditional heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, question mark, or exclamation mark, you’ll also see options to use emojis and stickers. Another notable new feature is the option to schedule your messages in advance so they can be sent later.

Other features

Image: Apple

• Apple Maps: With Maps, you’ll have access to thousands of hiking trails across all 63 national parks in the United States, all of which can be filtered by elevation, length, and trail type. You’ll also be able to save them to access your maps when you’re out in the wilderness without a data signal.
• Calculator application: Apple is upgrading its Calculator app by adding new features like the ability to enter and hold complete expressions (with trigonometry, parentheses, and multiple operations) before pressing equals to see the final answer. You will also be able to see your account history.
• calendar: Inside the Calendar app, you can see events and tasks from the Reminders app. There’s also an updated monthly view that aims to make it easy to see all your appointments at a glance – and they’re all colour-coded.
• the pictures: The new Collections feature within the Photos app will automatically organize your library by topics including Trips, Recent Days, People, and Pets. With Pinned Collections, you’ll be able to quickly access specific collections and albums. You will also now see that your favorite album appears under Utilities and in Pinned Collections. You can clear your recently shared album and recently viewed history as well.
• Game mode: This feature was originally announced last year with macOS Sonoma. With macOS Sequoia, Apple has improved Gaming Mode with smoother frame rates and “advanced power management features” to boost performance across its Macs. It also supports custom spatial audio and reduces audio latency with AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
• Home application: Apple is adding Guest Access that allows you to manage how and when people can enter your home. There’s a new feature that shows how much electricity you’re using and how much it’s costing you, based on current utility rates.
• battery: The ability to turn on Low Power Mode was introduced with macOS Monterey. It’s now available in the battery menu in the top-left corner of your screen, so you no longer need to dig into your system settings.
• Search for: Inside the Find My app, you’ll now see a new Lost AirTag section that allows you to share the location of your AirTag with up to five other people, to help track it down. And soon, you can share it with airlines too (in case your luggage gets lost). Simply send the selected link via Messages, Notes, Mail, AirDrop, and more. They’ll have to authenticate it with their Apple account, and the link will expire after a week.

Apple intelligence features

Image: Apple

In addition to the features mentioned above, Apple intelligence– The company’s “Personal Intelligence System” – Built into macOS Sequoia as well as iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. These features are only available in Sequoia 15.1 and later.