Hidden Gems in macOS 26 Tahoe Public Beta
▼ Summary
– Dark Mode in macOS allowed for more colorful themes, moving away from the traditional Aqua and Graphite designs.
– Tahoe updates app icons to match the OS’s color scheme, treating three types of icons differently.
– Apple’s built-in apps feature fully updated Liquid Glass icons with rounded, glassy designs.
– Icons conforming to the Big Sur rounded-square style get a subtle glassy edge, while non-conforming icons are placed in a gray box.
– The Recovery Assistant tool helps users boot or reinstall macOS when the main volume fails.
Apple’s latest macOS Tahoe public beta introduces subtle yet powerful visual refinements and practical tools that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. The update builds upon previous design languages while introducing fresh elements like Liquid Glass styling for icons, creating a more cohesive visual experience across the system.
One standout feature is how Tahoe handles app icons that haven’t received recent updates. The system automatically applies visual treatments to maintain consistency, though the approach varies depending on the icon type. Apple’s native apps receive full Liquid Glass treatment, featuring rounded glassy squares with matching interior designs that create depth and dimension. Developers can experiment with these effects using Apple’s Icon Composer tool to achieve similar results for third-party applications.
For apps that follow the Big Sur-era rounded-square design but lack Liquid Glass elements, Tahoe adds a subtle glassy border. This automatic enhancement helps these icons blend seamlessly with the updated system aesthetic without requiring developer intervention. However, non-conforming icons face stricter treatment, those with irregular shapes get placed inside dull gray squares before receiving the same glassy edge treatment, resulting in a more uniform but less distinctive appearance.
Beyond visual updates, Tahoe introduces practical improvements like the enhanced Recovery Assistant. This tool proves invaluable when troubleshooting startup issues or performing clean installations. On Apple Silicon Macs, accessing the recovery environment remains straightforward, holding the power button during startup and selecting Options directs the system to boot from the recovery volume rather than the main operating system.
The update demonstrates Apple’s continued focus on both form and function, balancing aesthetic refinements with tools that improve system reliability. While the visual changes create a more polished interface, the underlying utilities address real-world usability concerns, making Tahoe a noteworthy step in macOS evolution. The automatic icon treatments particularly stand out as they maintain visual harmony while gently encouraging developers to update their app designs.
(Source: Ars Technica)
