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A Game-Changing Upgrade for Your Mac
With the arrival of macOS Sequoia, Apple has once again redefined the Mac experience. This update introduces a plethora of powerful features designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and improve connectivity across Apple devices. From full iPhone mirroring to smarter window management, macOS Sequoia is packed with tools that you should start using right after updating.
Let’s dive into the most exciting new features!
1. Full iPhone Mirroring: Control Your iPhone from Your Mac
One of the standout features of macOS Sequoia is iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to fully control their iPhone from their Mac. Whether you need to chat in a messenger, check social media, or even make payments via mobile banking, you can now do all this directly from your Mac screen, while your iPhone remains locked and untouched.
How to Activate iPhone Mirroring:
- Ensure both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have Wi-Fi & Bluetooth enabled.
- Open the mirroring application on your Mac.
- Enter your iPhone’s password and choose either “Ask Always” or “Log in Automatically.”
With iPhone Mirroring, you can:
- Check your bank account
- Type texts using your Mac keyboard
- Play mobile games
- Open and use iPhone apps directly on your Mac
Apple has promised further enhancements, including drag-and-drop file sharing between iPhone and Mac, which is expected in upcoming updates. Here is a complete guide on how you can set this up here.
2. Seamless Message Syncing Across Devices
No more switching between devices—all your messages and notifications will now sync perfectly between your Mac and iPhone. Whether it’s texts, banking alerts, or social media notifications, everything will appear on your Mac instantly, even if your iPhone is on silent mode.
How to Enable Message Syncing on Mac:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps.
- Select the apps you want notifications from.
- Enable “Display on Mac” to receive notifications across both devices.
This integration ensures you never miss an important message, no matter where your phone is. You can also read: How to Summarize Notifications and Reduce Interruptions on Mac: Apple Intelligence.
3. Smarter Window Management for Multitasking
macOS Sequoia introduces a more intuitive way to organize your workspace. You can now arrange, resize, and snap windows more efficiently, allowing up to four windows at once for maximum productivity.
New Ways to Manage Windows:
- Drag a window to the edge of the screen (except the bottom) to snap it into place.
- Hold Option and drag to quickly place windows in corners.
- Hover over the maximize button to choose from various window arrangements.
Apple has also included AI-powered suggestions, which analyze your usage habits and recommend the best layout for your open windows.
4. A Smarter Way to Store Passwords and Access Codes
The updated Passwords app in macOS Sequoia offers a more user-friendly way to store and manage sensitive information, including Wi-Fi passwords, verification codes, and logins.
Key Benefits:
- Quick access to saved passwords with one click.
- Secure syncing across all Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Windows PCs.
- AirDrop support for sharing credentials securely.
This new feature eliminates the need for third-party password managers, making digital security simpler and more accessible. Here is a complete guide you can use.
5. Take Smarter Notes with Voice and Color Highlights
The Notes app has received several major upgrades, including voice note recording, color highlights, and even a built-in calculator for solving equations.
New Features in Notes:
- Collapse/expand sections for better organization.
- Highlight important text with color.
- Attach audio recordings for quick references.
- Automatic equation solving—just type an equation and press
=.
Even better, these features integrate with Messages and Safari, making it easier to save and organize information on the go. You can also read: How to Summarize Audio Recordings on Mac with Apple Intelligence
6. A More Personalized Safari Experience
Surfing the web with Safari is now smoother and more efficient, thanks to several new enhancements:
- Distraction Control: Hides annoying ads with a single click.
- Video Viewer: Plays content in picture-in-picture mode, even when switching tabs.
- Safari Highlights: Automatically detects addresses, dates, and booking details to help you remember important information.
- Customizable Reading Mode: Adjust fonts, colors, and even view article summaries for a better reading experience.
These features make browsing, reading, and watching content far more seamless and enjoyable.
7. Express Yourself with Emojis and Tapbacks
macOS Sequoia introduces more expressive ways to communicate:
- Expanded emoji reactions in messages.
- Animated stickers and GIFs for richer conversations.
- Scheduled messages, so you never forget a birthday or work reminder.
Now, you can also schedule messages up to two weeks in advance, making it easier to plan ahead.
8. More Hidden Features to Explore
The new macOS Sequoia brings countless small but impactful changes across the system, including:
- Calendar Reminders: Set and edit reminders directly within the Calendar app.
- Sign Language Support for Siri: Making Apple’s virtual assistant more accessible.
- Better Photo Organization: Group images by date, event, or even pets automatically. Here is a guide: How to Create Original Images with Image Playground on Mac: A Comprehensive Guide and How to Enhance Your Photos on Mac with Apple Intelligence.
- Offline Maps: Save navigation routes for use without an internet connection.
- FaceTime Backgrounds: Choose from static or dynamic backgrounds during video calls.
- Advanced Calculator Modes: Including scientific, programming, and equation-solving tools.
- Use ChatGPT: How to Use ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence on Mac: A Complete Guide
Another major update to look forward to is Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI-powered system, set to launch with macOS 15.1 Sequoia this fall. However, it will be exclusive to M-series chip devices.
How to Install macOS Sequoia on Your Mac
Before updating, back up your data using Time Machine or another backup tool.
Steps to Update:
- Open System Settings on your Mac.
- Navigate to General > Software Update.
- If macOS Sequoia is available, click Download and Install.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
For older Macs that don’t show the update, you may need to download macOS Sequoia DMG.
Final Thoughts
macOS Sequoia is packed with features that make the Mac more powerful, efficient, and user-friendly. Whether you’re excited about iPhone Mirroring, enhanced multitasking, or AI-driven improvements, this update is definitely worth installing.
Which feature are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!