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Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) macOS Tahoe 26 update will deliver a Phone app, allowing users to relay calls from a nearby iPhone directly to their Mac, the company revealed today during its Worldwide Developers Conference.
“Continuity gets even better with the Phone app arriving on Mac, so users can access familiar features from iPhone — including Recents, Contacts, and Voicemails — and new ones like Call Screening and Hold Assist,” Apple said.
The Phone app also features Call Screening and Hold Assist, which are coming on the iOS 26 update. The Call Screening tool provides on-device spam detection. It will also be in Messages. The Hold Assist keeps your spot in-line while a user is on hold waiting for a live agent.
“It keeps you connected while you are free to do something else,” said Darin Adler, senior engineering manager for Apple.
Live Activities, which provides real-time updates such as upcoming flights, from the iPhone can also be linked to the Mac.
Spotlight, a search feature built into macOS, is receiving a major update, allowing users to execute hundreds of actions. During a search, all results are listed and ranked based on relevance to the user. It can also narrow searches based on file type and search for documents stored on third-party cloud devices. It allows users to take actions such as creating a note or playing a podcast without jumping between apps.
And the new Live Translation, which is an Apple Intelligence feature, allows for instantaneous translations from text or audio. Another new Apple Intelligence feature is Reminders, which reviews emails, websites, notes and other content on the Mac to find the most relevant action.
Updates are included for Safari, Messages, Journal, Photos, FaceTime, Notes and Passwords as well.
macOS Tahoe 26 is available today for testing through the Apple Developer Program and through the Apple Beta Software Program next month. It will be free for general availability this fall.