Apple’s got a thing for California, and they’re doubling down with macOS 26: Tahoe.
Yup, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next macOS is officially named after Lake Tahoe—the gorgeous, reflective lake that straddles the California-Nevada border. If you’ve ever seen those crystal-clear waters reflecting the mountains and sky, you already get the vibe Apple’s going for here.
This isn’t Apple’s first name switch-up. Remember when it was all about the big cats—Cheetah, Tiger, Leopard? That era ended in 2013 when Apple moved into California-mode with names like Mavericks, Yosemite, Monterey, Sonoma, and the latest, Sequoia. Now, Tahoe joins the lineup, and it’s bringing that mirror aesthetic with it.
Gurman says macOS 26 will lean into a more glassy, translucent interface—think see-through windows, lighter icons, and maybe even buttons that look like they were dipped in melted ice. Makes sense given the name. Apple wants you to feel like your screen’s floating above a lake at sunrise.
All of this will be officially revealed at WWDC 2025, which kicks off Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. PT. That’s just eight days away. Expect macOS 26 to share the stage with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.
