macOS 27 to end Intel Mac support while bringing smarter Siri and AI-powered upgrades

macOS 27: The 5 biggest WWDC 2026 announcements we expect

With WWDC 2026 kicking off on June 8, we'll soon learn about all the latest updates coming to macOS 27. According to rumors, the Mac-based operating system should receive iterative updates rather than substantial ones. That doesn't mean there isn't anything to look forward to, however. The biggest thing happening for operating systems like iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 is an upgrade for Apple Intelligence and Siri. Apple launched its AI back in 2024, but it's lagged behind competitors. Ironically enough, Apple Intelligence should now be more useful since Google Gemini will power it. The other big thing is the end of support for Intel-based Macs. We knew this was coming since last year, but it's now happening. Other than that, we expect fixes for Liquid Glass so it works better on Macs, built-in app updates, and perhaps a glimpse (or full reveal) of the first touch-screen MacBook. Here are some of the macOS announcements we expect to see at WWDC 2026. End of the Intel era Apple already announced that macOS 26 would be the last macOS for Intel Macs, so this one doesn't come as a big surprise. Still, if you're rocking an older Intel Mac, you won't be able to run the new operating system. That said, you won't be completely left adrift. Apple has confirmed that macOS 26 will continue receiving critical security updates for about the next three years. If you're not ready to upgrade yet, this is certainly good news. Just keep in mind that while you are getting security updates, you won't get the fancy new features coming to macOS 27. Here are the Intel-based Macs that can run macOS 26 but won't support macOS 27: * MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) * MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) * iMac 27-inch (2020) * Mac Pro (2019) A smarter Siri (for real this time) Powered by Google Gemini, the new AI-infused Siri will reportedly be a proper AI chatbot. That means it should include features such as contextual awareness, conversational capabilities, improved natural-language support, and more. Expect Google's multimodal capabilities and agentic AI to come to Siri as well. In short, Siri should behave much more like ChatGPT or Claude. Apple will reportedly let you integrate third-party models (such as Claude or ChatGPT) into Siri via a new "Extensions" marketplace in the App Store. You might be able to choose distinct voices for these third-party AI responses so you know which one is answering. Agentic AI is the latest buzz term, and Siri may have deeper system-level context to execute multi-step tasks across apps. For example, you can ask it to find a PDF invoice in one of your emails and add its contents to your Numbers budget spreadsheet. This would make Siri a true assistant. Liquid Glass fixes Liquid Glass was the major design overhaul introduced last year, but some users weren't exactly happy with it, as it drew criticism for its lack of contrast, harsh transparency, and poor sidebar readability. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, macOS 27 will have a visual tune-up to address these complaints. If true, we could see the sleek, polished look that Apple's design team originally intended. There are also reports of a Mac-adapted version of the iPhone's Dynamic Island coming to the menu bar. Built-in app upgrades A feature that's also expected for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will bring three AI-powered tools to Photos. This includes Extend, Enhance, and Reframe. The first two are self-explanatory, while Reframe is designed to change the perspective in spatial photos seen in 3D. For fans of the Safari browser, a new AI feature is rumored to automatically categorize and organize browser tabs into clean, contextual groups. If you frequently have dozens of tabs open, this should be a major win. Since macOS 27 isn't a huge overhaul from last year, the team has reportedly focused on fixing bugs and improving performance. As with OS X Snow Leopard, a chunk of code is being optimized for raw efficiency, stability, and better battery life. The latter would be especially interesting given that MacBooks with M-series chips already have epic battery life. Preparing for touchscreen Macs WWDC usually focuses on software, but we have seen hardware announcements, such as the M2 MacBook Air at WWDC 2022. Rumors suggest that Apple is working on the first touchscreen MacBook, so it's possible it could debut at WWDC 2026 -- or at least be teased. To take advantage of a touchscreen, macOS 27 will reportedly have a dynamic user interface that adjusts on the fly. For instance, if you click on an item with the mouse cursor, the UI remains compact. If you tap the screen, menus and controls will automatically expand to be touch-friendly. It should also incorporate iPad-style gestures like fast scrolling and pinch-to-zoom. Of all the rumors we've heard, this one is arguably the most exciting and would bring something substantially new to Macs. I'm curious to see if these touch features will be exclusive to the rumored MacBook Ultra. macOS 27: Outlook If rumors are correct, then we shouldn't see a massive overhaul of macOS 27. That said, an improved Siri could actually be a game-changer if it's as helpful as intended. The same is true if MacBooks with touchscreens get announced. Nothing is set in stone, so let's look forward to WWDC giving us some concrete answers. June 8 is almost here, so it won't be long. We'll be live on the ground covering the event as it happens, so keep it locked here for the latest! 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MacOS 27 could finally end Intel Mac support and bring smarter Siri upgrades

MacOS 27 rumors suggest Apple is ready to emotionally damage Intel Mac owners This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage Updated less than 8 minutes ago Apple's next major Mac software update may mark the beginning of the end for Intel-powered Macs while also pushing deeper into AI-powered experiences. New rumors surrounding macOS 27 suggest Apple is preparing significant changes ranging from smarter Siri capabilities to refinements for its controversial "Liquid Glass" design language. According to reports, macOS 27 could become the first version of macOS to substantially reduce or fully end support for Intel-based Macs, completing a transition Apple began in 2020 with the launch of its first Apple Silicon chips. While Apple has steadily shifted focus toward M-series processors over the past several years, macOS 27 may represent the clearest sign yet that the company is ready to leave Intel hardware behind. Although this is not new news - Apple was already looking to phase out Intel-powered Macs when it rolled out macOS Tahoe last year. Recommended Videos The timing would align with Apple's typical software support cycle. Intel Macs have already started missing out on some Apple Intelligence features introduced during the AI push across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Ending support entirely would allow Apple to focus more aggressively on AI, machine learning, and hardware-specific optimizations designed around Apple Silicon. Apple appears ready to fully embrace its AI-first Mac future One of the biggest rumored changes involves Siri. Reports suggest Apple is continuing work on a significantly smarter version of the assistant capable of handling more natural conversations, contextual awareness, and deeper app integration. While Apple's AI rollout has faced criticism for moving more slowly than rivals like Google and OpenAI, macOS 27 could become an important part of the company's broader Apple Intelligence strategy. The update may also refine Apple's newer "Liquid Glass" visual style, which reportedly focuses on translucent layers, reflective interface elements, and smoother animations across macOS. Early reactions to the design direction have been mixed, with some users praising the futuristic appearance while others argue it prioritizes aesthetics over clarity and usability. Apple is also expected to continue integrating AI-powered productivity tools throughout macOS. Features involving summarization, writing assistance, smarter search, and proactive recommendations could become more deeply embedded into the operating system as Apple tries to make AI feel native to the Mac experience instead of functioning as a separate tool. For users still relying on Intel Macs, however, the rumored support changes may become the biggest story. Millions of Intel-based MacBooks and desktops remain in active use, especially in businesses, schools, and creative industries. If Apple significantly cuts compatibility, many users could face difficult upgrade decisions sooner than expected. macOS 27 may reveal Apple's long-term strategy for the Mac The rumored update reflects a broader shift happening across Apple's ecosystem. The company increasingly designs software around its own custom chips, allowing tighter integration between hardware and software features. Apple Silicon Macs already deliver major advantages in battery life, performance efficiency, and AI processing compared to older Intel systems. Ending Intel support would also simplify development for Apple and third-party app makers by reducing the number of architectures they need to support. However, it risks frustrating long-time Mac users whose devices may still feel perfectly functional despite losing future software support. Apple is expected to officially unveil macOS 27 during WWDC 2026, where the company will likely detail its next-generation AI strategy across Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Until then, many of the reported features remain speculative, but the rumors strongly suggest Apple is preparing one of the most significant transitions in Mac history since the move away from Intel first began.