This article is currently being updated as new information comes in.
Today, Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.7 to the public. The update is available through Software Update in System Settings for all compatible Macs.
Breakdown by Component
WebKit: 20 CVEs
Kernel: 3 CVEs
ImageIO: 2 CVEs
Audio: 1 CVE
IOGPUFamily: 1 CVE
WebKit History: 1 CVE
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 26.6.2, including new features, bug fixes, update sizes, firmware updates, security changes, developer updates, and other discoveries found while analyzing the release.
Safari for macOS Sequoia and Sonoma
Apple also dropped an individual Safari update for macOS Sequoia and Sonoma, the version number is 26.6.1. Both updates are available as a separate download in System Settings > Software Update.
macOS Tahoe Patch Notes Summary
1. New Features – 0
2. Developer Documented Fixes – 0
3. Security Fixes – 28
4. Enterprise Fixes – 0
5. Safari Security (Webkit) – 2
7. Full installer & IPSW – Both Released
8. OpenCore Legacy Patcher Users – NOT COMPATIBLE!
System Settings > Software Update:
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Full Apple Update Release list
Update List 💻📲 ✅
Tahoe 26.6.2 (25G76) NEW!
Sequoia 15.7.9 (24G830) (remains the same)
Sonoma 14.8.9 (23J631) (remains the same)
iOS/iPadOS 26.6.1 (23G83) (remains the same)
iOS/iPadOS 18.7.10 (22H374) NEW!
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) (remains the same)
homePodOS 26.6 (remains the same)
tvOS 26.6 (23L773) (remains the same)
visionOS 26.6.1 (23O780) NEW!
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 (remains the same)
Command Line Tools for Xcode – 26.6 (remains the same)
Beta 6 Updates
macOS 27 Golden Gate (26A5416b)
macOS 26.7 RC (25G220)
macOS 15.8 RC (24H16)
iOS & iPadOS 27.0 beta 6 (24A5418b)
watchOS 27.0 (24R5353a)
visionOS 27.0 (24M5355a)
tvOS 27.0 (24J5353b)
homePodOS 27.0 (24J5353b)
OpenCore Legacy Patcher for Unsupported Macs
OCLP 2.4.1 & macOS Tahoe: DO NOT INSTALL! NOT COMPATIBLE YET. This release is in full testing and it is not recommended that you attempt to install it yet.!
This article is currently being updated with the latest info.
Today, Apple released macOS Golden Gate to all users. The update is now available for compatible Macs through Software Update in System Settings.
Apple has provided an official list of changes included in macOS Golden Gate. However, additional system-level changes and improvements may still be discovered through testing, system analysis, and comparisons between builds.
This article provides a detailed technical breakdown of the public release of macOS Golden Gate. In addition to user-facing changes and new features, this guide examines system changes, update details, firmware updates, developer changes, and other discoveries found while analyzing the final release.
System Settings > Software Update:
Table of Contents
OCLP for Unsupported Macs Warning
Should You Install macOS Golden Gate?
Full Apple OS Update Release List
Apple macOS Golden Gate Links
What’s New in macOS Golden Gate?
macOS Golden Gate 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.
2. Should You Install macOS Golden Gate Beta?
Most users can now install the public release of macOS Golden Gate on a compatible Mac. However, before upgrading your main Mac, confirm that your essential apps, accessories, and professional tools are compatible.
Always create a full backup before installing a major macOS update. I recommend having two types of backups:
A complete Time Machine backup
A separate copy of your important files and apps
This might seem excessive, but trust me, it will be worth it if something goes wrong!
MacAdmins, developers, and advanced users should test app compatibility, MDM enrollment, security tools, VPN clients, printers, FileVault workflows, software update behavior, and deployment processes before rolling out macOS Golden Gate across their organizations.
3. Full Apple Beta OS Update Release List
Public Release
macOS Golden Gate 27.0 (26A428)
macOS Tahoe 26.7 (25G229)
macOS Sequoia 15.8 (24H23)
iOS 27.0 (24A437) (new build)
iPadOS 27.0 (24A437) (new build)
iOS 26.7 (23H24)
iPadOS 26.7 (23H24)
tvOS 27.0 (24J361) (new build)
Homepod Software 27.0 (24J361) (new build)
visionOS 27.0 (24M362)
watchOS 27.0 (24R364) (new build)
Safari
Safari 27.0
Developer Tools
Xcode 27
Command Line Tools for Xcode 27
4. Apple macOS Golden Gate Links
Official links will be added as Apple publishes more macOS Golden Gate documentation.
Apple has released the public version 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.
6. macOS Golden Gate Beta Release History
11. macOS Golden Gate 27 Public Release (26A428) – 9/14/26
10. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer RC (26A428) – 9/09/26
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 RC with size =
Upgrade from macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 with size =
10. Apple Silicon Firmware & iBoot Versions
The Apple Silicon firmware and iBoot versions included with macOS Golden Gate Beta are listed below.
6. macOS Golden Gate 27 Developer Beta 5 = 20457.1.27
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, make sure you have a full backup before proceeding. Even public software can cause app compatibility issues, performance problems, and data loss.
