All the ways iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac

With every new iOS and macOS release, Apple deepens the integration between its mobile and desktop operating systems. iOS 26 is no different, building on the iPhone Mirroring feature introduced in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.

Check out all the new cross-device features and integrations that iOS 26 and macOS 26 (aka Tahoe) bring.

How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac

The seamless integration between iPhone and Mac is one of the biggest strengths of Apple’s ecosystem. And this integration is not just about cross-device Continuity features. It is also about consistency — offering the same set of features across platforms and devices.

iOS 26 and macOS 26 excel here, bringing several iPhone features and improvements to the Mac.

Table of contents: How iOS 26 tightens integration between iPhone and Mac

• Unified design language and naming scheme
• Phone app comes to the Mac
• Live Activities
• Live Translation
• Journal app
• More powerful Shortcuts app
• AI-powered Reminders app
• Polls and backgrounds in Messages
• Vehicle Motion Cues
• Using the iPhone camera as a Magnifier on Mac

Unified design language and naming scheme

Apple finally unified the naming scheme and, more importantly, the design language of its operating systems this year. So, instead of iOS 19 and macOS 16, we got iOS 26 and macOS 26. While this might seem like a small change, it will simplify things in the future.

The bigger change is that Apple adopted the same shimmery, translucent Liquid Glass design across iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26. The unified design will provide a more consistent experience across all Apple devices. In addition to the similar appearance, you’ll know how buttons behave, where to find them, etc.

Phone app comes to the Mac

iOS 26 introduces a revamped Phone app, complete with new features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. The former will pick up calls on your behalf and ask the caller their name and why they are calling you. This will then help you decide if it’s worth answering the call.

Likewise, Hold Assist takes the pain out of staying on long holds. Your iPhone will automatically notify you when a live agent comes on the call, enabling you to continue doing your work in the meantime.

Building on Apple’s convenient Continuity features, macOS Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Phone app to the Mac for the first time. You can access all features of the app, like the call log and voicemails, directly on your Mac. Even better, you can route calls from your iPhone to your Mac — and yes, you’ll get incoming call notifications right on your Mac, too.

Live Activities

macOS Tahoe also will bring one of the iPhone’s best features in recent times — Live Activities — to the Mac.

If your iPhone is nearby, any Live Activity will automatically appear on your Mac’s menu bar. This will make tracking your food delivery status, sports scores and other real-time notifications easier. And clicking on a Live Activity instantly opens the relevant app, so you can directly take action from your Mac.

Live Translation

Like the iPhone’s Messages app in iOS 26, certain apps in macOS Tahoe also will gain support for Live Translation. Your Mac will translate texts in a language you understand, breaking down the language barrier.

Even better, on FaceTime calls, you’ll get translated live captions when the other party is talking. Likewise, the Phone app will translate what the caller is saying in a language you understand.

These improvements are coming to the Messages and Phone apps on both iOS 26 and macOS 26 to ensure a consistent experience.

Journal app

Introduced with iOS 17.2 on the iPhone in 2023, macOS 26 Tahoe brings the iPhone’s Journal app to the Mac. You can now write down your thoughts and notes in the Journal app on your Mac. All content will also automatically sync to other devices linked to your Apple Account.

More powerful Shortcuts app

Just as on the iPhone, Apple’s Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe gains Apple Intelligence support. This will allow you to use AI-powered actions, like summarizing text using Writing Tools and creating images using Image Playground. You can directly feed this data into a shortcut to create complex automations.

More importantly, the Shortcuts app in macOS 26 Tahoe can execute actions automatically, such as during a specific time of the day. Apple previously limited this capability to the iPhone.

AI-powered Reminders app

Like many other system apps, Apple’s Reminders app also receives an AI boost in iOS 26 and macOS 26.

Besides a Liquid Glass design revamp, the Reminders app can auto-categorize your lists using Apple Intelligence. More importantly, it can automatically create reminders based on your emails and text messages. Imagine the Reminders app creating a task and adding relevant grocery items to it based on a conversation with your spouse.

Polls and backgrounds in Messages

The Messages app in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe will gain support for Polls and Backgrounds. You’ll even get AI-powered suggestions to help you quickly and easily create relevant polls.

As for the Backgrounds feature in Messages, you can pick from one of many preloaded dynamic options. Alternatively, you can use a picture from your Photos library or create something new using Image Playground.

Vehicle Motion Cues

The nausea-busting Vehicle Motion Cues feature introduced to the iPhone in iOS 18 will come to MacBooks in macOS 26 Tahoe. This accessibility feature helps reduce motion sickness while using an Apple device in a moving vehicle. It should make it more comfortable to use your MacBook on the go.

Using the iPhone camera as a Magnifier on Mac

macOS Tahoe brings a new Magnifier accessibility feature to the Mac. It enables users with low vision to use USB cameras to zoom in on their surroundings and even apply filters to improve readability.

Taking advantage of Continuity Camera, you can use your iPhone’s camera when using this accessibility feature on your Mac.

iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe land this fall

You won’t have to wait long to try out the deeper cross-device integration that iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe bring. The updates a few months from now. And if you can’t wait that long, go ahead and install the iOS 26 beta and macOS 26 Tahoe beta on your iPhone and Mac to try them today.