macOS Tahoe 26.6 (25G72) is now Available For All Users!
UPDATED: 07/31/26
This article will be continually updated as new information comes in.
Today, Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6 to the public. The update is available through Software Update in System Settings for all compatible Macs.
Apple’s release notes provide only a summary of the changes included in this update. As with previous macOS releases, many additional changes are uncovered through testing, system analysis, and comparing files between builds.
This article provides a detailed technical breakdown of macOS Tahoe 26.6, including new features, bug fixes, update sizes, firmware updates, security changes, developer updates, and other discoveries found while analyzing the release.
Apple mentions that the Tahoe 26.6 update will optimize the Spotlight index in preparation for macOS 27. Additionally a fix addressed where some notifications incorrectly displayed deprecation notices for some apps identified as Intel processor only. Also addressed was that HDR screenshots might appear garbled when sent in Messages.
Also of note, Apple fixed macOS 27 Golden Gate VM’s in the Tahoe 26.6 update. All previous versions would fail when you would try to build a macOS 27 VM.
AI credited in some of the Security Notes
Also of note is that this is the first time AI was credited with some of the security fixes. In three different CVE entries. Apple credits Anthropic researchers and Claude.
"In collaboration with Claude and Anthropic Research"
HUGE Security update release breaks record!
The macOS Tahoe 26.6 update breaks the all‑time record for CVEs patched in a single macOS release, with a total of 155. Here’s a look back at how many CVEs were patched in each Tahoe update so far.
26.6 – 155
26.5 – 79
26.4 – 83
26.3 – 66
26.2 – 62
26.1 – 115
26.0 – 97
macOS Tahoe Patch Notes Summary
1. New Features – 2
2. Developer Documented Fixes – 3
3. Security Fixes – 155 CVE’s Patched
4. Enterprise Fixes – 5
5. Safari Security (Webkit) –
7. Full installer & IPSW – Both Released
8. OpenCore Legacy Patcher Users – NOT COMPATIBLE!
System Settings > Software Update:
NOTE: I hate website ads, but this one small google ad below helps me with the cost of running Mr. Macintosh.com. Thank you
Full Apple Update Release list
Update List 💻📲 ✅
Tahoe 26.6 (25G72)
Sequoia 15.7.8 (24G822)
Sonoma 14.8.8 (23J619)
iOS/iPadOS 26.6 (23G71)
iOS/iPadOS 18.7.9 (22H355) (remains the same)
iPadOS 17.7.11 (21H461) (remains the same)
iOS/iPadOS 16.7.16 (20H392) (remains the same)
iOS/iPadOS 15.8.8 (19H422) (remains the same)
watchOS 26.6 (23U67)
homePodOS 26.6
tvOS 26.6 (23L773)
visionOS 26.6 (23O770)
Studio Display Firmware 26.4 (23E246) (remains the same)
Safari – 26.6 – (included in 26.6 but a separate install for Sequoia & Sonoma)
Xcode – 26.6
Command Line Tools for Xcode – 26.6
OpenCore Legacy Patcher for Unsupported Macs
OCLP 2.4.1 & macOS Tahoe 26.6 : DO NOT INSTALL! NOT COMPATIBLE YET. This release is in full testing and it is not recommended that you attempt to install it yet.!
macOS Golden Gate Beta 27.0 Beta 4 (26A5388g) is now Available!
UPDATED: 07/21/26
This article is being updated as new changes are discovered.
Today, Apple released macOS Golden Gate Beta 4 (26A5388g) to developers. The update arrives two weeks after macOS Golden Gate Beta 3 and is available for download through Software Update in System Settings for users enrolled in the Apple Developer Beta program.
Apple has not provided a complete public list of changes included in this beta beyond its developer release notes. As with previous macOS beta releases, many changes are discovered through testing, system analysis, and comparing files between builds.
This article provides a detailed technical breakdown of macOS Golden Gate Beta 4. Along with covering user-facing changes and new features, this guide will examine system changes, update details, firmware updates, developer changes, and other discoveries found while analyzing the latest beta.
This article will track everything new in macOS Golden Gate Beta 4, including confirmed features, UI changes, bug fixes, update sizes, firmware updates, security changes, and additional developer changes identified during analysis.
The macOS Golden Gate Public Beta 2 is expected to become available shortly after the developer release.
System Settings > Software Update:
Table of Contents
OCLP for Unsupported Macs Warning
Should You Install macOS Golden Gate Beta?
Full Apple Beta OS Update Release List
Apple macOS Golden Gate Links
What’s New in macOS Golden Gate?
macOS Golden Gate Beta Release History
macOS Golden Gate Full Installer.app
Apple Silicon macOS Golden Gate IPSW Restore File
macOS Golden Gate Update Sizes
Apple Silicon Firmware & iBoot Versions
Safari Version
macOS Recovery Version
Security Content of macOS Golden Gate
macOS Golden Gate Release Notes
Final Notes
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1. OCLP for Unsupported Macs Warning
OpenCore Legacy Patcher is not compatible with macOS Golden Gate and macOS Tahoe. Make sure you go into System Settings > Software Update and TURN OFF Download Updates&Install macOS Updates.
If you use OCLP on an unsupported Mac, wait for official OpenCore Legacy Patcher 3.0.0 testing and compatibility information before attempting to install.
2. Should You Install macOS Golden Gate Beta?
Most users should not install macOS Golden Gate Beta on their main Mac. This is early beta software, which means apps may crash, battery life may be reduced, accessories may not work correctly, and some features may be unfinished.
Install it only if you have a test Mac, a full backup, and a reason to test the new release early. I recommend two types of backups: Time Machine & A direct copy of your important files and apps
This might seem like a lot, but TRUST ME, it will be worth it if something goes wrong!
MacAdmins, developers, and advanced users can begin testing app compatibility, MDM enrollment, security tools, VPN clients, printers, FileVault workflows, software update behavior, and deployment processes.
3. Full Apple Beta OS Update Release List
Beta 4 & RC 6
Golden Gate 27.0 (26A5388g) Beta 4
Tahoe 26.6 (25G70)
Sequoia 15.7.8 (24G822)
Sonoma 14.8.8 (23J619)
iOS & iPadOS 27.0 (24A5390f) Beta 4
iOS & iPadOS 26.6 (23G71)
tvOS 27.0 (24J5325d) Beta 4
homePodOS 27.0 (24J5325d) Beta 4
tvOS 26.6 (23L772)
watchOS 26.6 (23U67)
visionOS 26.6 (23O770)
Safari
Safari 27.0
Developer Tools
Xcode 27 beta 4
Command Line Tools for Xcode 27 Beta4
4. Apple macOS Golden Gate Links
Official links will be added as Apple publishes more macOS Golden Gate documentation.
Apple has released the 4th developer beta of macOS Golden Gate 27.
New Features & Changes
Liquid Glass Design Updates
macOS Golden Gate brings a more polished Liquid Glass design with better readability, improved contrast, more consistent toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, updated window shapes, and refreshed menu bar icons. Apple has also added a new slider that lets you adjust the Liquid Glass look from very clear to fully tinted.
Performance Improvements
Apple says the system should feel faster overall, with quicker AirDrop transfers, faster network file browsing, faster Safari start page loading, improved Mail search ranking, and better Spotlight search suggestions.
Siri AI on Mac
The biggest new feature is Siri AI on Mac. Siri can now answer more natural questions, understand personal context, take actions inside apps, work from Spotlight, and live inside a new dedicated Siri app for longer conversations.
Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence is also coming to the Mac, letting you ask questions about what’s on your screen and get help based on the content you’re looking at.
Writing Tools & Apple Intelligence
Golden Gate expands Writing Tools with Siri, adds better AI photo editing, improves Image Playground, and lets you create Shortcuts from plain-language descriptions.
Safari & Passwords
Safari gets smarter tab grouping, page-change alerts, and faster start page loading. Apple is also adding one-click password fixes to help update weak or reused passwords more easily.
Family, Safety & Accessibility
Golden Gate includes stronger child safety controls, improved Screen Time features, and new accessibility improvements across the system.
Other Notable Changes
Other smaller changes include ultrawide display upgrades, better iCloud Shared Albums, Call Context, enhanced Flyover in Maps, swipe-to-refresh in more apps, and a refreshed video podcasts experience.
8. Apple Silicon macOS Golden Gate IPSW Restore File
An IPSW restore file is mainly used to restore or revive Apple Silicon Macs with Apple Configurator, Finder, or another Mac.
Most users do not need the IPSW file for normal macOS updates. IPSW files are intended for restores, revives, troubleshooting, clean installs, and testing workflows.
Use this link to download the full Mac IPSW restore file directly from Apple:
The delta update & upgrade size will automatically change in size for exactly what your macOS version needs. For example the smallest update size will be from Beta 3 to Beta 4. But if you are upgrading from Beta 1 to Beta 4, the upgrade size will need to include all the fixes in Beta 2 and 3.
Apple Silicon Updates
Delta from macOS Golden Gate Beta 3 with size = 6.93GB
Upgrade from macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 with size = 20.24GB
10. Apple Silicon Firmware & iBoot Versions
The Apple Silicon firmware and iBoot versions included with macOS Golden Gate Beta are listed below.
5. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer Beta 4 = 20457.0.125.0.2
4. macOS Golden Gate 27 Public Beta 1 = 20457.0.77.0.2
3. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer Beta 3 = 20457.0.77.0.2
2. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer Beta 2 = 20457.0.13.0.11
1. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer Beta 1 = 20356.0.0.0.15
If you install macOS Golden Gate Beta, make sure you have a full backup before proceeding. Beta software can cause app compatibility issues, performance problems, and data loss. Do not install this beta on your main Mac unless you are comfortable troubleshooting and restoring macOS.
