8 Things to Know Before Upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26

macOS Tahoe 26 is about to bring fantastic new features, improved performance, and enhanced security to your Mac. However, before leaping to this new macOS, it’s essential to make preparations for the update.

In this tutorial, we will outline several things you need to know before upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26. Whether you are a professional Mac user or a newcomer to the platform, learning from these tips as essentials can prevent problems and make your overall experience better.

1. What’s New in macOS Tahoe 26?

macOS 26 is expected to bring a host of new features. From new interface design and new functions to enhancements in Apple Intelligence, macOS 26 Tahoe aims to make your Mac more capable, productive, and intelligent than ever before.

To figure out whether you need to upgrade to macOS Tahoe, you can take a quick look at its main updates.

• Develops a stunning new design called “Liquid Glass.” It offers translucent and reflective elements across the desktop, Dock, sidebars, toolbars, and in-app navigation.
• The Spotlight has made the biggest update ever. It allows you to perform hundreds of actions directly from the search tool, such as sending emails or creating notes.
• It has better integration with iOS devices. There is enhanced screen mirroring, file sharing, and connection between your Mac and iPhone or iPad.
• Apple Intelligence has integrated live translation into Messages, FaceTime, Phone calls, etc.
• It includes enhanced security features to better protect your data and privacy, such as stronger encryption and an improved firewall.
• It introduces an Apple Games app, enhancing your gaming experience with personalized recommendations and social features.

2. Which Macs Will Get macOS Tahoe 26?

Make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Tahoe 26 before upgrading. Below are the Mac models that macOS 26 supports:

• MacBook Air (Apple silicon, 2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (Apple silicon, 2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

3. When Is macOS Tahoe 26 Coming Out?

The macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta is available now, while the public beta is expected to be released in late June or mid-July.

If you're a regular user, wait for the official release expected to arrive this fall.

4. How Many GB Is macOS Tahoe 26?

The macOS Tahoe installer size varies depending on both your Mac model and macOS version. Typically, it's over 10 GB.

5. How Long Does It Take to Upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26?

Typically, it will take 30 minutes to several hours to upgrade to macOS 26. However, the specific duration may differ depending on your internet speed, your Mac’s performance, and the size of the update.

• The update will download faster if you have a faster internet connection. For example, a 6.5 GB update might take 20 to 30 minutes to download over a 100 Mbps connection, but it could take up to two hours over a 10 Mbps connection.
• An older Mac with a conventional hard drive cannot finish updating as quickly as a Mac with a solid-state drive (SSD), a fast processor, and lots of RAM.
• macOS 26 is a significant update and is likely to be large. Possibly, it’s over 10 GB. Larger updates take longer to download and install.

6. What to Do Before Downloading macOS Tahoe?

Before downloading macOS Tahoe 26, ensure your Mac has enough free space and you have backed up important data.

Check and Free Up Storage Space on Mac

It's recommended to keep at least 35 GB of free space for macOS Tahoe, as the installer itself takes up more than 10 GB, and installing it requires some extra space.

You can click the Apple menu, and select System Settings > General > Storage to check how much space is still available on your Mac.

If your Mac is running low on storage space, BuhoCleaner can help. This simple and easy-to-use Mac cleaner is excellent at locating and removing unnecessary files and apps, allowing you to free up valuable storage space with just a few clicks. Click the button below to try it out yourself.

Back Up Your Mac

In most cases, it’s easy and smooth to upgrade to macOS Tahoe, but you might be at risk of power outages, software glitches, or hardware incompatibilities. These unexpected problems might lead to data loss or corruption.

For this reason, you’re also advised to back up your Mac using Time Machine, iCloud, or a third-party backup tool to protect it from any problems that might occur during the update process. By doing so, you can keep your important information, programs, and settings stored safely and can restore them quickly in case anything goes wrong.

7. How to Download and Install macOS Tahoe 26?

Having confirmed the new macOS Tahoe features and getting prepared through the above suggestions, you can freely download and install macOS 26 by following the steps below:

1. Click the Apple menu and select "System Settings".
2. Click "General" > "Software Update".
3. If macOS Tahoe is available, click the "Upgrade Now" button.

   

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install macOS Tahoe.

8. What if You're Not Satisfied with macOS Tahoe?

Some users who upgraded to macOS Tahoe 26 beta have complained that the Liquid Glass design is not as good as expected and that Launchpad has disappeared.

If you're not satisfied with macOS Thaoe and want to downgrade it to macOS Sequoia or an earlier version, this Mac guide is here to help. It covers three different methods to downgrade macOS Tahoe - simply choose the one that best suits your needs.

Last Words

Whether macOS Tahoe 26 is worth checking out depends on your needs. Our advice is that if you are happy with the current version and do not need new features, you can wait for the official release in September or for more stable main updates, such as macOS 26.1 and macOS 26.2. However, if you’re eager to experience the newest features and enhancements, use the advice in this post to prepare before updating to macOS 26: check your Mac’s compatibility, backup the data on your Mac, free up enough space, ensure a stable network connection, and ensure sufficient power.