macOS 27, marketed as macOS Golden Gate, is a major release of Apple’s macOS operating system for Mac computers. Introduced in 2026, it combines a redesigned conversational assistant called Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence features, and refinements to the desktop interface and built-in applications. It supports Macs with Apple silicon, rather than Intel processors, while retaining general-purpose compatibility with Intel-based applications through Rosetta for one final major release. (apple.com)
Development and availability
Apple previewed macOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2026, alongside new versions of its other operating systems. Developer testing began that day, with a public beta announced for July. Apple described the forthcoming release as a free software update. (apple.com)
The public release became available on September 14, 2026. Compatible Macs receive the upgrade through Software Update in System Settings. Apple subsequently documented macOS 27.0.1 as a bug-fix update. (support.apple.com)
Siri AI and Apple Intelligence
A central addition is Siri AI, a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. It supports back-and-forth conversations, open-ended questions, and assistance with writing and other tasks. Integration with Spotlight makes the assistant accessible from the system’s existing search interface. A dedicated Siri application stores conversations that can be revisited and resumed, with synchronization through iCloud. (support.apple.com)
Siri AI can use personal context to locate information in messages, email, photographs, and notes. It also supports actions within applications, rather than functioning solely as a question-answering interface. Visual Intelligence extends this interaction to onscreen content: a user can select a screen region and ask questions about it or request an associated action, such as adding an event to a calendar. (apple.com)
Other Apple Intelligence additions include expanded image creation in Image Playground and the ability to describe a desired automation in natural language for the Shortcuts application. Apple also advertises enhanced photo-editing tools, although its product page identifies some of those capabilities as arriving in a later software update. (apple.com)
Availability and limits
The operating system’s release and the availability of individual intelligence features are separate. Siri AI is initially available in beta in English, with access dependent on supported hardware and language settings. Some features use server-side models and are subject to daily usage limits. Feature availability also varies by region; consequently, installing macOS 27 does not by itself guarantee access to every advertised capability. (support.apple.com)
Interface and application changes
macOS 27 refines the Liquid Glass interface with changes to contrast, refraction, toolbars, sidebars, window shapes, and menu-bar icons. A slider allows users to adjust the appearance of the translucent material from clearer to more heavily tinted. (apple.com)
Apple also identifies improvements to AirDrop transfer speed, network-file browsing, and start-page loading in the Safari web browser. Mail introduces a revised search-ranking system intended to bring more relevant messages to the top of results, while Spotlight gains revised search suggestions. These are described as system and application improvements rather than a replacement for the established macOS desktop workflow. (apple.com)
Hardware and application compatibility
Supported Macs
Apple specifies compatibility with Macs containing its M-series or A-series chips. The supported families include Apple-silicon MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro models, together with the 2026 MacBook Neo. Intel-based Macs are outside the supported hardware range. (support.apple.com)
Rosetta and Intel applications
Hardware compatibility is distinct from application compatibility. Although macOS 27 does not support Intel-based Macs, Rosetta allows many applications containing Intel x86-64 instructions to run on Apple-silicon machines by translating their executable code. (support.apple.com)
Apple identifies macOS 27 as the final major release with general-purpose Rosetta support. Its published transition plan preserves a narrower subset of functionality for older, unmaintained games that depend on Intel-based frameworks. The general-purpose phase-out therefore should not be confused with the removal of all Intel-application support within macOS 27 itself. (developer.apple.com)
Applications compiled natively for Apple silicon do not depend on this translation layer. Developers can also distribute a universal binary containing both Intel and Apple-silicon versions of an application, allowing each supported architecture to execute its corresponding native code. (developer.apple.com)
References
- OS - macOS 27 Golden Gate - Appleapple.com
- How to upgrade to macOS 27 Golden Gate - Apple Supportsupport.apple.com
- WWDC26: Apple unveils next generation of Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, powerful parental controls, and an expansive set of software improvementsapple.com
- What's new in the updates for macOS 27 Golden Gate - Apple Supportsupport.apple.com
- See What’s New in macOS 27 - App Storeapps.apple.com
- What’s new in macOS 27 - Apple Supportsupport.apple.com
- About the Rosetta translation environment - Apple Developer Documentationdeveloper.apple.com
- Upcoming changes to Rosetta support for Intel-based macOS apps - Apple Developerdeveloper.apple.com