Quick answer
macOS 27, named macOS Golden Gate, is out. The current public release is macOS 27.0.1 (26A434), from 28 September 2026, and macOS 27.2 beta 4 (26B5112a) is in testing. It runs only on Apple silicon Macs, which makes it the first macOS without Intel support. Before WWDC, the headline features were reported to be a new Siri app and wider Apple Intelligence.
Where macOS 27 stands today
Apple announced macOS 27 Golden Gate, the successor to macOS Tahoe 26, at the WWDC 2026 keynote on 8 June 2026, together with iOS 27 and the rest of the 27-series software. Testing ran through the summer and the public release followed in September. As of 19 October 2026, there are two builds that matter:
| Track | Version | Build | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public release | macOS 27.0.1 | 26A434 | 28 September 2026 |
| Beta | macOS 27.2 beta 4 | 26B5112a | 13 October 2026 |
If you just want macOS 27, install 27.0.1 from System Settings › General › Software Update. The beta is only for trying the next update before it ships.
Which Macs run macOS 27?
Every Mac with an M-series chip, plus the MacBook Neo. That is the confirmed change in macOS 27: Apple's restore image includes no Intel Mac at all.
| Family | Models covered by the macOS 27 restore image |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air | M1 (2020), M2 (2022), 15-inch M2 (2023), 13-inch and 15-inch M3, M4 and M5 |
| MacBook Pro | 13-inch M1 and M2, 14-inch and 16-inch M1 Pro and Max through M5 Pro and Max, 14-inch M3, M4 and M5 |
| MacBook Neo | Yes |
| iMac (24-inch) | M1 (2021), M3 (2023) and M4 (2024), two-port and four-port |
| Mac mini | M1 (Late 2020), M2 and M2 Pro (2023), M4 and M4 Pro (2024), M5 Pro, M6 |
| Mac Studio | M1 Max and Ultra, M2 Max and Ultra (2023), M3 Ultra and M4 Max (2025), M5 Max and Ultra |
| Mac Pro | Mac Pro (2023) and Mac Pro (Rack, 2023) |
| Intel Macs | None. They stay on macOS 26 Tahoe. |
To check your own Mac, choose Apple menu › About This Mac. An M-series chip or the MacBook Neo means you are covered. An Intel processor means macOS 26 Tahoe is your last major version. The full list is on our macOS 27 supported Macs page, and every restore image is on the Mac IPSW page.
What's new in macOS 27
This page was written before WWDC as a roundup of reported features, and it is kept as a record of what was expected. None of the items below is presented here as confirmed. Apple's macOS page lists what actually shipped, and the companion iOS 27 features list covers the iPhone side, where many of the same features were reported.
A standalone Siri app
The most consistent report was a dedicated Siri app across iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, with a chat-style interface in place of the quick overlay. Reports described:
- conversation history you can return to
- typed and spoken input
- file uploads, so you can ask about a document
- chats that sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac
- an "Extensions" system to connect more services
More agentic Apple Intelligence
Reports said Siri would be able to carry out multi-step tasks across apps and respond to what is on screen, delivering the app-intent work Apple first showed at WWDC 2024 and then delayed. They also said Apple would open Apple Intelligence to more outside AI providers, with Google Gemini expected to join ChatGPT as an option for some requests.
On the Mac, Apple Intelligence needs a Mac with M1 or later, so every Mac that runs macOS 27 with an M-series chip meets the chip requirement. The beginner's guide to Apple Intelligence explains what the existing features do.
Safari Organize Tabs and plain-language Shortcuts
- Organize Tabs. Gurman reported a Safari control near the top of the tab view that groups open tabs automatically, with a choice to turn the grouping on or off. The same feature was reported for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
- Shortcuts from a description. You would describe the automation you want in plain words and Apple Intelligence would assemble the actions.
- Accessibility. Accessibility features Apple previewed in May were expected to arrive in the 27-series releases.
A lighter Liquid Glass refresh
macOS 26 Tahoe introduced Liquid Glass to the Mac. For macOS 27, Gurman described a "slight redesign" aimed at readability: adjusted transparency and contrast so text stays legible over busy backgrounds, rather than a new look.
A "Snow Leopard" focus on stability
Reports compared the 27-series releases to Mac OS X Snow Leopard from 2009, which was remembered for performance and reliability work rather than new features. The reported goals were to cut bloat, fix long-standing bugs and improve efficiency across all of Apple's platforms.
Which pre-launch claims we can check
| Pre-launch claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Unveiled at WWDC on 8 June 2026 | Correct |
| Apple silicon only, Intel dropped | Correct: no Intel Mac in the macOS 27 restore image |
| MacBook Neo supported | Correct |
| Public release in the autumn | Correct: macOS 27.0.1 is out, and 27.2 is in beta |
| Siri app, agentic AI, Organize Tabs, Shortcuts, Liquid Glass changes | Check Apple's macOS page |
| Name: Big Bear or Emerald | Not verified on this site |
How to try the macOS 27 beta
The beta is free with any Apple Account and needs no configuration profile.
- Make a Time Machine backup to an external drive and set the drive aside.
- Enroll at beta.apple.com for the public beta, or sign in once with a free Apple Developer account for the developer beta.
- Open
System Settings › General › Software Update. - Click the info button next to Beta Updates and choose macOS 27 Public Beta or macOS 27 Developer Beta.
- Install macOS 27.2 beta 4 when it appears and keep the Mac on power.
On your main Mac, a separate APFS volume or an external SSD keeps the beta away from your everyday system. Our macOS 27 beta installation guide walks through all four install methods.
What to do next
If your Mac is supported and you want macOS 27 now, update to macOS 27.0.1 through Software Update. If you want to test what comes next, follow the step-by-step macOS 27 beta guide after making your Time Machine backup.
Frequently asked questions
Is macOS 27 out?
Yes. Apple announced macOS 27 at WWDC on 8 June 2026 alongside iOS 27, and the current public release is macOS 27.0.1, build 26A434, from 28 September 2026. It installs from System Settings › General › Software Update on any supported Mac. The next version is in testing as macOS 27.2 beta 4 (26B5112a), released on 13 October 2026.
Which Macs support macOS 27?
Macs with Apple silicon. Apple's macOS 27 restore image covers every M1-or-later model, from the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and Mac mini (M1, Late 2020) up to the M5 MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and Mac mini models, plus the Mac Pro (2023), the 24-inch iMac from the M1 model onward and the MacBook Neo. To check your Mac, choose Apple menu › About This Mac and look at the Chip line.
Does macOS 27 support Intel Macs?
No. No Intel Mac appears in Apple's macOS 27 restore image, which makes macOS 27 the first release that runs only on Apple silicon. macOS 26 Tahoe is the last version for Intel Macs. If About This Mac shows an Intel processor, your Mac stays on macOS 26 and cannot install macOS 27 or its beta.
What new features were expected in macOS 27?
Before WWDC, reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and others pointed to a standalone Siri app with a chat-style interface, more agentic Apple Intelligence, a choice of outside AI models such as Google Gemini, a Safari Organize Tabs feature, Shortcuts you can describe in plain language, and a lighter refresh of Liquid Glass. Those were reports. Apple's own macOS page is the place to confirm what shipped.
How do I install the macOS 27 beta?
Back up with Time Machine first. Then open System Settings › General › Software Update, click the info button next to Beta Updates and choose macOS 27 Public Beta or macOS 27 Developer Beta. The beta is free: enroll at beta.apple.com for the public beta, or sign in once with a free Apple Developer account. A separate APFS volume or external SSD keeps your main system untouched.
What is macOS 27 called?
Apple names macOS versions after places in California, and macOS 26 is Tahoe. Before WWDC, the leading rumour was Big Bear, from a file name in Apple's WWDC 2026 artwork, with Emerald, after Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe, as another guess. This page has not verified the final name, so check About This Mac or Apple's macOS page for the official one.