macOS Tahoe Brings Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced Spotlight Features

Apple’s macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta introduces a fresh wave of design and functionality aimed at power users. Central to this update is the new Liquid Glass design language, which brings frosted, translucent effects to key interface elements like the Dock, Finder, widgets, and system menus. This aesthetic shift offers a modern, glassy look that subtly enhances the Mac’s large screen real estate without overwhelming it.

The Dock now features a frosted, see-through background that distorts what lies behind it, creating a dynamic visual experience. Widgets have moved from the Notification Center to the desktop, allowing users to customize their workspace with glanceable information similar to an iPad home screen. Meanwhile, the Menu Bar has become invisible, seamlessly integrating with the screen notch and enabling new animations like a glass pane effect in Mission Control.

Theme customization has expanded significantly, borrowing from iOS 18’s Appearance menu. Users can now switch between light, dark, and auto modes, adjust highlight colors, and select icon and widget styles. This flexibility allows for a wide range of looks, from minimalist to bold, catering to diverse user preferences.

Spotlight search receives a powerful overhaul designed to enhance keyboard-driven workflows. Activated by Command + Space, Spotlight now presents four main functions—Apps, Files, Shortcuts, and Clipboard—each accessible via quick keyboard shortcuts (Command + 1 through 4). This setup streamlines launching apps, finding files, executing shortcuts, and accessing clipboard history without leaving the keyboard.

Power users can customize quick key commands within Spotlight, enabling rapid execution of frequent tasks like sending messages or setting timers. Although these new Spotlight features encroach on functionalities offered by third-party tools like Raycast, Apple’s native integration promises tighter system synergy and ongoing improvements.

While some UI changes, such as the elongated volume and brightness pop-ups, may feel awkward initially, the overall Tahoe update reflects Apple’s commitment to blending aesthetics with productivity enhancements. The public beta release will provide further insights as developers explore and adapt to these new capabilities.

For developers and tech leaders, macOS Tahoe’s Liquid Glass design and Spotlight improvements open fresh avenues for creating visually appealing, efficient applications that cater to power users. Embracing these changes early can position your software to leverage Apple’s evolving ecosystem and meet user expectations for seamless, keyboard-centric workflows.