6 Reasons You Need to Upgrade to macOS Sequoia

Because macOS is such a mature operating system, there’s no need to rush to update to the latest version as soon as it’s released. But Apple includes features that you’ll want to use regularly once you discover them, and macOS Sequoia is no exception.

Here are the top six features of the latest Mac operating system, macOS Sequoia. Sequoia has many more features, but these are the ones that will convince you to hit the download button.

For more information about macOS Sequoia, see the following articles:

iPhone Copy

Mac users often use iPhones as well, and iCloud helps keep the two platforms in sync, but there’s still a clear line between the two. With iPhone Mirroring, that line is much more blurred, allowing users to access their iPhones directly from their Macs—literally. The feature lets you mirror your iPhone’s screen on your Mac to check notifications, launch apps, and do everything else you’d do if you had your phone in your hand.

To use this feature, you must meet certain requirements:

Your Mac must be an M series model or an Intel-based Mac with a T2 processor
Your iPhone must have iOS 18 installed
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on

With iPhone Mirroring, your iPhone appears on your Mac and you can use it as if it were in your hands – well, almost, because using a mouse/trackpad on your Mac is different from using the iPhone touchscreen. Get all the details about iPhone Mirroring.

Tiling windows

See that mess of windows you have open on your Mac right now? It’s going to be a lot better with window tiling in macOS Sequoia. When you drag a window to the edge of the screen, you’ll find a spot on the desktop where you can place that window. You can sort your windows and make it easier to find the one you need.

Window tiling in Sequoia has some limitations, but it’ll be good enough for most people. If not, there are a number of third-party window tiling tools that extend this capability. Whatever the case, Sequoia’s new feature will put you on the path to window sanity. Learn all about window tiling in Sequoia on macOS.

Safari Distraction Control

Want to get rid of annoying ads, images, videos, and just about anything else you come across on the web? (Yes, this site, too.) Now you can make them disappear with a single click in Safari on macOS Sequoia (and iOS 18). Once Distraction Control is turned on, all you have to do is point and click on an item, and poof! It’s gone. The web feels safe again. Learn all about Safari Distraction Control.

New Passwords app

Admit it: Your passwords are written on notes scattered across your desk, or maybe even on Post-It notes taped to your screen. Or you use the same password for all your accounts because it’s too hard to remember all those complicated letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t do that anymore! Start building good security habits with the new Password app in macOS Sequoia.

Passwords connects to Safari and is also available on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, so your passwords are available no matter what platform you use. Extensions are available if you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you already use a third-party password manager, bravo! You probably won’t be ditching it. Check out our hands-on experience with the Passwords app on iOS 18 — but Sequoia’s version is nearly identical.

Better Notes App

The Notes app has become my favorite for both small things and long notes — and that’s probably true for you, too. With the Notes app in macOS Sequoia, Apple has added a few new features to make it even more useful:

Now you can record audio clips in notes.
Notes can create searchable transcripts synchronized with audio.
Sections can be collapsed to make the note easier to view.
Mathematical expressions are calculated in the note.
Support for colored highlights that make text more visible.

Retro Wallpaper ‘Macintosh’

I saved the best new feature for last. (I’m exaggerating, but this is pretty cool.) Apple always adds a new wallpaper with major macOS updates, but this one in Sequoia is a new surprise. The new “Macintosh” wallpaper artistically reimagines the old UI elements of the original Mac operating system in a range of colors. It looks fantastic and is a great ode to the early days of the Mac. The “Macintosh” wallpaper can also be used as a screen saver.

What about Apple Intelligence?

Why aren’t any of the AI-powered features called Apple Intelligence on this list? They’re not ready yet — Apple announced that Apple Intelligence will begin rolling out AI features in macOS 15.1 next month, with more to come in 2025.

Several Apple Intelligence features are in the Sequoia 15.1 beta, which is currently in beta testing. The features it includes are summaries, writing tools, photo search, and more. There are no ChatGPT-based features coming next year.