Apple has officially released macOS 27 Golden Gate for compatible Mac computers, bringing a major expansion of Apple Intelligence, a refreshed Liquid Glass interface, and updates to several built-in apps.
The new operating system introduces an upgraded Siri AI, Visual Intelligence for analysing content on the screen, and new AI-powered tools in apps including Photos, Safari, Calendar and Finder. The update also marks the end of support for Macs equipped with Intel processors.
Siri AI is initially available in English, with Apple confirming that Portuguese support is scheduled to arrive in October.
Siri AI Gets a Major Upgrade
The headline feature in macOS 27 is Apple’s redesigned Siri.
Built around the latest generation of Apple Intelligence, Siri can provide more detailed responses, handle natural-language conversations and use information already stored on the Mac to answer questions.
With the appropriate permissions, Siri can search through messages, emails, photos and other personal information. It can also perform actions within supported applications.
Siri is now closely integrated with Spotlight as well. Pressing Command + Space allows users to search for files as usual or ask Siri a question directly.
Apple has also introduced a dedicated Siri application with conversation history synchronised through iCloud. The assistant can generate or rewrite text in apps such as Messages and Mail, with Apple’s tools attempting to preserve the user’s writing style, punctuation and tone.
Visual Intelligence Comes to Mac
Another major addition is Visual Intelligence, which allows users to analyse content displayed on their screen.
After activating the feature with a keyboard shortcut, users can select a specific section of the display and ask Siri questions about what is shown.
For example, Visual Intelligence can analyse images or PDFs, identify objects, perform visual searches and extract useful information. Apple also highlights its ability to recognise event details and potentially use that information to create a Calendar entry.
The feature brings capabilities already associated with Apple’s AI tools on other devices directly into the Mac experience.
Photos, Safari and Other Apps Get New AI Features
Apple Intelligence is also expanding into more of macOS 27’s built-in applications.
The Photos app receives several AI-powered editing features. Cleanup can remove unwanted objects or people, while Expand generates additional content around an existing image. Spatial Reframing allows users to adjust the composition and perspective of a photo after it has been taken.
Safari is gaining smarter tab organisation, automatically grouping tabs based on related topics. A new Notify Me feature can monitor changes on webpages and alert users when something important happens, such as a product coming back in stock or being discounted.
Calendar can create or modify events based on natural-language descriptions, while Finder can suggest names for files and folders by analysing their contents.
Apple’s Image Playground has also been expanded with additional image-generation styles, including more photorealistic results.
Liquid Glass Gets More Control
Apple is also making changes to the Liquid Glass design introduced with the previous macOS release.
macOS 27 adds a setting that lets users adjust the transparency of interface elements. They can keep the glass effect more translucent or increase opacity for better readability.
Apple has also refined shadows, borders, sidebars and icons to create greater visual consistency throughout the operating system.
The changes appear aimed at addressing readability concerns associated with the first implementation of Liquid Glass.
More macOS 27 Features
Beyond the headline additions, macOS 27 includes several smaller improvements across the system.
VoiceOver now provides more detailed image descriptions, while a new feature can automatically generate and translate captions for videos.
Compatible Macs connected to ultrawide displays can now support up to 5K resolution at 120Hz. macOS can also remember the arrangement of external displays, making it easier to restore a preferred workspace.
iCloud Shared Albums are gaining collaboration support through Android and Windows browsers, including the ability to share photos at their original maximum resolution.
Apple has also made improvements to Spotlight and Mail search, AirDrop transfer speeds, overall performance and system stability.
With Siri AI, Visual Intelligence and a broader range of Apple Intelligence features now built into macOS, Golden Gate represents one of Apple’s biggest steps toward making AI a central part of the Mac experience.
