macOS 15: Everything We Know About Apple's Next Major Update

As WWDC 2025 approaches, rumors about macOS 15 are ramping up. Apple's next major macOS release is expected to bring significant advancements in AI capabilities, a refreshed design, enhanced cross-device integration, and performance improvements. Here's everything we've learned from reliable sources about what's likely coming to your Mac later this year.

Naming: What Will macOS 15 Be Called?

Apple has been using California landmark names for macOS since 2013's "Mavericks" release. Based on trademark filings discovered by researchers and Apple's remaining unused landmark options, the leading candidates for macOS 15's name include:

• Sequoia - Named after Sequoia National Park, continuing Apple's national park theme
• Redwood - A nod to California's iconic redwood forests
• Shasta - After Mount Shasta, a potentially active volcano in northern California

Multiple sources with good track records have suggested "Sequoia" is the most likely candidate, with Apple having secured related trademarks through shell companies in recent months. However, Apple has been known to change names late in development.

Apple Intelligence: The Centerpiece of macOS 15

Building on the initial Apple Intelligence features introduced in macOS Sonoma, macOS 15 is expected to bring a dramatically expanded AI toolkit deeply integrated throughout the system:

• System-Wide Context Understanding - AI that understands what you're working on across apps and can suggest relevant actions and content
• Advanced Content Generation - Significantly improved text and image generation capabilities with professional-grade editing tools
• Personalized Assistance - A more capable Siri with better contextual awareness and the ability to perform complex, multi-step tasks
• Enhanced Privacy Controls - Fine-grained controls for how AI features can access and use your data
• Developer AI APIs - New frameworks allowing third-party developers to integrate with Apple's AI systems

According to code found in recent macOS Sonoma betas, Apple is working on a significant neural engine optimization for Apple Silicon Macs that could dramatically improve AI performance. Intel Macs may receive a more limited version of these features, with some capabilities exclusive to M-series chips.

Design Refresh: Control Center and System UI

macOS 15 is rumored to include the most significant visual refresh since Big Sur, with a particular focus on updating system controls and improving consistency:

• Redesigned Control Center - A completely revamped quick settings panel with customizable modules and improved functionality
• Refreshed Menu Bar - Updated menu bar design with better organization and new quick access features
• Dynamic Theme System - Enhanced personalization with more theme options that can change based on time of day or activity
• Accessibility Enhancements - New visual accommodations, expanded voice control, and improved screen reader capabilities

Several design concepts have leaked from internal Apple documents, showing a more cohesive visual language and improved information density in key system interfaces.

iOS and iPadOS App Integration

Apple Silicon Macs can already run iOS and iPadOS apps, but macOS 15 is expected to significantly enhance this capability:

• Improved Windowing - Better multitasking support for mobile apps, with more flexible resizing and positioning
• Enhanced Touch Support - Better trackpad gestures that mimic touch interactions more naturally
• Expanded App Availability - More iOS/iPadOS apps becoming available for Mac, with Apple reportedly working with major developers
• Unified Notification System - A completely redesigned notification center that better handles alerts from all types of apps

Sources suggest Apple is working on a new "Universal App" framework that will make it easier for developers to create apps that work well across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with minimal additional work.

Developer Tools and Framework Updates

For developers, macOS 15 is rumored to bring several important updates:

• Xcode 17 - A significant update to Apple's development environment with improved debugging and performance analysis tools
• Swift 6.0 - The next major version of Apple's programming language with new concurrency features and improved performance
• AI Development Kit - New tools for integrating with Apple Intelligence features
• Enhanced AR/VR Support - New frameworks related to spatial computing and Apple's Vision Pro headset
• Metal 4 - Updated graphics framework with ray tracing advancements and ML acceleration

These tools are expected to help developers create more powerful and integrated applications while taking advantage of Apple's latest hardware capabilities.

Pro Features: Targeting Power Users

Following frequent user requests, Apple appears to be adding several professional-focused features in macOS 15:

• "Pro Mode" - A performance mode that temporarily maximizes CPU and GPU power for intensive tasks
• Enhanced External Display Support - Better handling of multiple displays, including improved window management
• Advanced File System Features - New tools for power users, including improved tagging and organization
• Terminal Enhancements - Updated Terminal app with more developer-focused features

These features appear to be part of Apple's continued effort to win back professional users who may have been frustrated by limitations in previous macOS versions.

Compatible Macs

While Apple hasn't officially confirmed which Macs will support macOS 15, analysis of recent code changes suggests the following compatibility requirements:

• All Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 series and newer)
• Mac Pro: 2019 or newer
• iMac: 2019 or newer
• iMac Pro: 2017
• Mac mini: 2018 or newer
• MacBook Air: 2019 or newer
• MacBook Pro: 2019 or newer

Some features, particularly those related to Apple Intelligence, may require an Apple Silicon Mac for full functionality. Intel Macs might receive a more limited feature set.

Release Timeline

Based on Apple's established patterns, we expect the following timeline for macOS 15:

• June 2025 - Official announcement at WWDC 2025 with developer beta release
• July 2025 - First public beta
• July-September 2025 - Multiple beta iterations
• October 2025 - Public release alongside or shortly after new Mac hardware

Recent reports suggest Apple is considering a staggered feature rollout, where some advanced capabilities might arrive in point releases throughout 2025 and early 2026, rather than all at once in the initial version.

Should You Wait for macOS 15?

If you're considering purchasing a new Mac or updating your current system, here are some factors to consider:

• Apple Silicon Advantage - The most advanced features will likely require Apple Silicon, so Intel Mac users may see diminishing returns in future updates
• AI Capabilities - If AI-assisted workflows are important to you, macOS 15 could bring significant productivity enhancements
• Professional Needs - The rumored pro-focused features may address longstanding requests from power users
• Stability Concerns - As with any major OS release, the initial version of macOS 15 may have bugs that get addressed in subsequent updates

For most users, we recommend waiting for at least the ".1" update (15.1) before upgrading production machines, as this typically addresses many early issues.

Conclusion: Apple's AI-Driven Future

macOS 15 appears to represent Apple's strongest push yet into AI-enhanced computing while maintaining the company's focus on privacy and on-device processing. The rumored features suggest a system that's not only more capable but also more personalized and context-aware.

As WWDC 2025 approaches, we'll continue to update this article with the latest credible rumors and information about Apple's next major macOS release.