Apple releases macOS 27 Golden Gate: 7 new features to try

The official release of macOS 27 Golden Gate brings powerful upgrade features to Mac users, including a standalone Siri AI assistant, enhanced photo editing tools, and improved system performance. Here is a full breakdown of the top new capabilities available in this major Apple software update for supported devices.

Apple officially released macOS 27 Golden Gate on Sept. 14, bringing a revamped desktop operating system experience to everyday users. The new release finally introduces the highly anticipated new Siri AI experience across Mac devices.

First announced macOS 27 Golden Gate at WWDC in June, the operating system spent months in developer beta testing. While the final build comes without unexpected surprises, it delivers essential enhancements that elevate productivity and daily device usage.

If you own a compatible desktop or laptop, installing this update unlocks a variety of helpful utilities. Here are the top features you should explore immediately after updating your device.

How Does the New Siri AI Work on macOS 27 Golden Gate?

Credit: Apple

The primary highlight of this update is the all-new Siri AI assistant, which is powered by Google Gemini. Apple emphasized that its cloud-based private cloud compute platform will safeguard user privacy while executing complex intelligence requests.

Siri now exists as a dedicated standalone application on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. Beyond its main app interface, the assistant is seamlessly integrated across the broader Mac operating system.

The key capabilities of the upgraded Siri AI features include:

• Generating text, offering writing and editing suggestions, and drafting or sending emails automatically.

• Analyzing physical imagery captured by your camera to identify objects and offer context through visual intelligence.

• Answering questions and performing specific actions by using real-time on-screen awareness.

• Accessing multiple applications to gather context, take requested actions, and solve queries.

• Storing and remembering prior chat conversations and prompts inside the dedicated Siri application.

Users also gain greater control over voice personalization within the assistant settings. You can adjust the pitch, tone, pacing, and overall expressiveness of the voice output to match your preferences.

Change the Siri voice pitch, speed, tone, and accent. Credit: Apple

Siri can now take actions across a wide range of apps. Credit: Apple

What Photo Editing Tools Are Included in macOS 27?

Spatial Reframing stands out as one of the most innovative photo editing tools introduced for the system. This feature empowers you to adjust the original perspective angle of a photograph long after the shot was taken.

Alongside Spatial Reframing, the native Photos app receives broader editing capabilities. Users can now easily clean up distracting elements and extend missing background areas in photos.

Credit: Apple

What Parental Controls and Safety Features Are Added?

Managing device usage for children and teenagers on a family Mac or MacBook Neo is significantly easier under macOS 27 Golden Gate. Apple has expanded parental controls within system settings to give parents deeper visibility and oversight.

Credit: Apple

By navigating to the Family section in Settings, parents can configure customized screen-time schedules. A quick-view summary provides metrics detailing average daily usage alongside top used applications.

Additionally, a tool called Ask to Browse sends automated notifications to parents whenever children request access to new websites online.

Learn more at Apple's parent safety website.

How Do Safari Tab Groups Work?

Credit: Apple

For users who struggle with clutter from keeping dozens of browser tabs open simultaneously, Safari introduces flexible tab organization. You can group related web pages into clear categories like Vacation planning or Work stuff to streamline web browsing.

What Is the Describe a Shortcut Feature?

Shortcuts remain one of the most effective ways to automate repetitive tasks on a Mac, such as resizing incoming images in a specific folder. However, complex setup steps historically prevented less technical users from taking full advantage of them.

The new Describe a Shortcut feature solves this problem through automated creation. You simply describe the automation you want to build using plain natural language, and Siri AI generates the complete workflow for you.

What Maps and System Optimizations Are Included?

Visual Intelligence with Siri AI in macOS 27 Golden Gate. Credit: Apple

Apple Maps now displays richer environmental details thanks to updated visual rendering models. Flyover mode combines high-resolution aerial photography with Visual Intelligence to render items from fine architectural details down to individual tree shapes with high clarity.

Under the hood, overall system performance receives core stability upgrades. The release provides faster file browsing, quicker application loading, improved website rendering, and accelerated AirDrop transfers across local network connections.

Refinements applied to Liquid Glass also address display visibility issues that previously affected user interface elements in iOS 26 and macOS 26.

Which Future Updates Are Scheduled for macOS 27?

Apple confirmed that additional software updates arriving later in the operating system cycle will deliver further features, including:

• Suggestions: Messages and Mail will present context-aware quick actions, such as automatically attaching relevant photos or pulling in upcoming flight updates.

• Fix passwords with a click: The standalone Passwords app will detect weak or exposed passwords and update them automatically without manual intervention.

What Devices Support macOS 27 Golden Gate?

Before updating, verify that your computer hardware model is included on the official support list. Apple confirms compatibility for the following hardware models:

• MacBook Neo (2026)

• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

• iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)

• Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

• Mac Studio (2022 and later)

• Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023)

Preorder New Apple Products

Alongside the rollout of macOS 27 and iOS 27, Apple introduced refreshed hardware lines, including updated AirPods, Apple Watches, and flagship iPhone models. Apart from the iPhone Duo, these products are currently open for preorder.

Apple AirPods 5 earbuds - $124.99 at Amazon

See It at Amazon | See It at Apple.com | See It at Walmart

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) - $399 at Amazon

See It at Amazon | See It at Best Buy | See It at Walmart

Apple iPhone 18 Pro, 256GB - Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile

See It at T-Mobile | See It at AT&T Wireless | See It at Walmart

iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256GB - Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile

See It at T-Mobile | See It at Apple.com | See It at Walmart

Upgrading your device to macOS 27 Golden Gate provides immediate access to intelligent automated tools, refined photo editing capabilities, and helpful parental safeguards. Experience the full power of macOS 27 Golden Gate today to make your everyday desktop productivity faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever before.

from Mashable
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