Apple has introduced macOS 27 Golden Gate, its next desktop operating system, which brings a load of upgrades and features, including Siri AI. It also ends support for Macs with Intel processors.
The new version will support Macs with Apple silicon, including M-series Macs and the MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip. Apple’s official compatibility list includes MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro models with Apple silicon, along with MacBook Neo.
The main new feature in macOS 27 Golden Gate is Siri AI. Apple is adding a standalone Siri app to the Mac, allowing users to hold text or voice conversations with the assistant. The app can also sync conversations across Apple devices through iCloud.
Siri AI supports personal context, broader app actions, and Visual Intelligence. On Mac, Visual Intelligence lets users ask Siri about content on the screen through screenshots, images, PDFs, and other visible material.
Apple is also adding Type to Siri through Spotlight.
Users will be able to enter prompts directly into Spotlight and choose Ask Siri as the top result. Spotlight also gets a new interface as part of the update.
Apple says macOS 27 Golden Gate includes system-level improvements such as quicker AirDrop transfers, faster network file browsing, and faster Safari start page content loading.
The update also adds native ultrawide display support, including higher resolutions such as 5K at 120Hz. Apple says display arrangements will also stay in place when users reconnect their screens.
Apple has also refined the Liquid Glass design in macOS 27.
The company says the update improves readability, contrast, toolbars, sidebars, window shapes, and menu bar icons. A new slider lets users adjust Liquid Glass from ultraclear to fully tinted across the interface.
The new Siri app will be available on Macs with M1 chips and newer, as well as the MacBook Neo with A18 Pro.
However, Apple’s more advanced on-device Apple Intelligence features will require a Mac with an M3 chip or later and at least 12GB of unified memory. Apple says these features include advanced Siri voice customization.
The macOS 27 Golden Gate developer beta is available now.
Apple says macOS 27 will be released this fall. The public beta is expected in July, followed by the wider rollout later in the year.
Apple also introduced watchOS 27 at WWDC 2026.
The update will be available this fall for Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Apple says watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE 2nd generation or later, running iOS 27.
Apple Intelligence features on watchOS 27 require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby, with supported Siri and device language settings.
watchOS 27 brings Siri AI to the Apple Watch. The update includes the dedicated Siri app, where users can revisit past Siri conversations in one place. Siri AI can also answer open-ended questions, use personal context, take actions in apps, and reference online information.
Workout Buddy is getting new insights based on fitness data.
Apple says it can provide updates for pace, distance, and workout duration. The feature also adds Spanish support and requires a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and Bluetooth headphones with supported language settings.
watchOS 27 also brings expanded menstrual health support through Cycle Tracking, including perimenopause and menopause support in the Health app.
Apple is adding a new dynamic app grid that highlights Siri-suggested apps, along with commonly used and recently used apps.
The update also adds a single-tap gesture that lets users open a Smart Stack widget with one hand. Apple says more widgets will appear in Smart Stack when they are relevant.
watchOS 27 also includes Liquid Glass design refinements, matching the wider design changes across Apple’s new operating systems.
Find My is coming to watchOS 27.
Call Context also works on Apple Watch, showing relevant information from apps when users call a business. Apple says music playback on Apple Watch now starts faster, step count in Fitness syncs with steps in Health, and the system may suggest battery optimizations.
The Wallet app can now create custom passes for membership cards that use a QR code or barcode. Apple also says users can set up an Apple Watch for their kids even if they do not have an iPhone.
