All the Top 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 includes a host of new capabilities on the Mac, including a password manager app, video conferencing tools, and updates to Safari, as well as all the features that come with Apple Intelligence– the company’s new artificial intelligence system. Below, we found out how to download it and all the latest goodies in this software update.

Be sure to check out ours iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 roundup for all the new features that come to your iPhone and iPad, and our watch what’s new in watchOS 11.

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

Table of Contents

Features of MacOS Sequoia

Below, you’ll find all the major features included in macOS 15. Apple has more details here.

iPhone Mirroring

Photography: Apple

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

When the function is in action, you will see your iPhone’s personalized home screen appear. From there, you can use the keyboard, trackpad, or mouse to drag and drop content (such as photos, videos, and files) between the two devices, open and use any of your apps, drag all pages of your home screen, as well as see and respond to notifications. While doing all this, your iPhone will remain locked. It also works while your iPhone is in Standby mode, a feature from iOS 17 that turns your iPhone into a smart display while charging.

Safari updates

Photography: Apple

MacOS Sequoia offers a few new features to Safari. With Highlights, Safari will use machine intelligence to show you relevant information from the web page such as directions, links, summaries and restaurant reviews. Apple has also redesigned the Reader to minimize distractions. In addition to a more elegant view of the article, you will also see a summary and a table of contents (for longer articles). If the web page includes a video, Viewer will bring it to the forefront while also giving you access to playback controls (Picture in Picture included).

Window tiles

Those who keep a ton of browser windows open simultaneously 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 the screen, the new OS automatically suggests a tiled position on your screen. (It is similar to Snap in Windows.) You can then leave the window in place, arrange multiple windows side by side, or place them in any of the four corners to make room for more apps. For faster organization, you can also use hotkeys and the menu.

Videoconferencing tools

Photography: Apple

Last year, Apple added a ton of new video conferencing tools with macOS Sonoma including Presenter Overlay, Reactions, and various features for the Mac’s built-in webcam. This year, the company added a few more. With apps like FaceTime and Zoom, you’ll have access to a new presenter preview capability that lets you see what you’re about to share before you actually share it. Meanwhile, the built-in wallpaper function allows you to apply system backgrounds, color gradients, or your own photos as backgrounds for video calls. Apple says this feature will be available on FaceTime and third-party apps like Webex.

A new password app

Photography: Apple

If you’ve never loved Keychain, now you have a better option: macOS Sequoia comes with a new Passwords app that allows you to access all your passwords (including Wi-Fi passwords), passwords and verification codes in one place. Keep all your Apple devices in sync, it works on Windows machines (using the iCloud for Windows app) as well, and supports end-to-end encryption.

More With Messages

Photography: Apple

A few new Messaging features are coming to macOS Sequoia, and by extension, also to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. You can format your texts in Messages using bold, italic, underline and strikethrough treatments. You will also have the ability to add animated effects to a specific word in a text. For some phrases and words, you’ll also see suggestions appear as you type. Apple has also added new Tapbacks, instead of using the traditional heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, question marks or exclamation points, you will also see the options to use emojis and stickers. Another new standout feature is the option to schedule your messages in advance to be sent later.

Other features

Photography: Apple

• Apple Maps: With Maps, you’ll have access to thousands of hiking trails in all 63 national parks in the United States, all of which can be filtered by elevation, length, and route type. You can even save it to access your maps when you’re out in the wilderness without a data signal.
• Calculator app: Apple gives its Calculator app an update by adding new features such as the ability to enter and continue to see complete expressions (with trigonometry, brackets and multiple operations) before pressing equal to see the final answer. You can also see a history of your calculations.
• Calendar: Within the Calendar app, you can view events and tasks from the Reminders app. There’s also an updated month view that’s meant to make it easier to see all your appointments at a glance, which are all color-coded.
• Photos: A new Collections feature in the Photo app will automatically organize your library by topics including Travel, Recent Days, and People & Animals. With Pinned Collections, you’ll be able to quickly access certain collections and albums. You will also now see your Favorites album appear under Utilities and in Pinned Collections. You can also delete your Recently Shared album and Recently Viewed History.
• Game Mode: This feature was announced last year with macOS Sonoma. With macOS Sequoia, Apple has improved Game Mode with smoother frame rates and “advanced power management features” to boost performance on its Macs. It also supports Custom Spatial Audio and reduces audio latency with AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
• Home app: Apple adds guest access that lets you 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 is now available in the Battery menu in the upper left corner of your screen so you no longer need to dig through the system settings.
• Find my: Within the Find My app, you’ll now see a new Lost AirTag section that lets you share the location of your AirTag with up to five other people, to help track it down. Soon, you can also share with the airlines (if your luggage is lost). Simply send the specific link via Messages, Notes, Mail, AirDrop, and more. They have to authenticate with their Apple account, and the link expires after a week.

Apple Intelligence features

Photography: Apple

In addition to the above features, Apple Intelligence– the company’s “personal intelligence system” – is built into macOS Sequoia as well as iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. These features are only available in Sequoia 15.1 and newer.