Customizable folders, a way more powerful Spotlight search, and handy new apps. These have become some of my favorite macOS Tahoe features after using it on my MacBook Pro since its launch earlier this month. It’s a significant update both visually and in terms of functionality. Keep reading below for my take on the features that particularly stand out.
Color-Coded Folders
It might seem like a small tweak on the surface, but the new customizations you can give to folders in macOS Tahoe are pretty powerful for getting organized.
The ability to assign different colors and icons to folders has added a layer of visual clarity. This makes navigating my desktop and Finder feel more intuitive and even quite fun. I appreciate how I can now sort out folders visually to separate work and personal projects. It definitely makes macOS more personal and productive!
The New Spotlight
My second favorite feature is the updated Spotlight experience on macOS Tahoe. I love how I can now do a lot more from within Spotlight, such as filter results to quickly find exactly what I’m looking for or use the browse view to scan across all my content in one place.
I especially appreciate that macOS now has a native clipboard manager within Spotlight. So, any text I copy can easily be found here and pasted wherever I need it. This eliminates the need for third-party clipboard managers.
Most impressively, there are several actions you can perform directly within Spotlight, such as sending an email or adding a new note without having to switch between different apps. Pretty neat!
Journal App
Apple’s Journal app has been one of my favorites since it launched on iOS, so naturally, I love that it’s now available on macOS too. It’s much more convenient to type out long entries on my Mac than on my iPhone.
Moreover, I can keep separate journals for different aspects of my life, such as travel, relationships, and work. This offers a focused space to write free of distraction, which makes it a personal favorite.
Phone App
I wasn’t expecting to love this feature as much as I do. Being able to make and receive calls directly on my Mac has made it easier to stay connected during intense work sessions.
Earlier, reaching for my phone to take a call used to break my flow, but now I can seamlessly keep working because I don’t switch devices. I appreciate how the interface is clean and familiar, with call history, contacts, and voicemail all neatly integrated.
Magnifier
As a person with visual impairment, the Magnifier app is a godsend feature of macOS Tahoe. It allows me to use Continuity Camera on my iPhone to zoom into my surroundings from my Mac.
For instance, when attending a presentation, even if I’m sitting at the back of the room, I can zoom in on what’s being showcased on stage. Moreover, the most useful feature is being able to apply image filters with just a click, so that slides become easier to read. I’ve been waiting for an accessibility feature like this for years and am so glad it’s finally here.
macOS Tahoe is currently in Developer beta, but the public beta is expected soon. You can sign up for Apple’s beta testing program to be among the first to experience these new features and more!