Apple has released the first public beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate, giving Mac users an early opportunity to experience the next major version of macOS before its official release later this year. The update brings Siri AI to the Mac, expands Apple Intelligence across the operating system, refines the Liquid Glass interface, and includes several performance improvements aimed at making everyday workflows faster and more responsive.
Available through the Apple Beta Software Program, the public beta is based on the latest developer beta and can now be installed by anyone with a compatible Mac. While Apple has refined the software through multiple developer releases, it still recommends backing up your Mac before installing since beta software may contain bugs, app compatibility issues, and other stability issues.
Siri AI Arrives on the Mac
The headline feature in macOS 27 Golden Gate is Siri AI, Apple’s next-generation assistant powered by Apple Intelligence.
Integrated directly with Spotlight, Siri AI can be accessed using the familiar Command + Space keyboard shortcut. It can hold natural conversations, understand follow-up questions, search the web, recognize what’s on your screen, access personal information across supported apps, and complete actions without requiring users to repeat themselves.
Apple has also introduced a dedicated Siri app that stores conversation history and synchronizes chats privately through iCloud, making it easy to continue conversations across your Apple devices.
Apple Intelligence Enhances Everyday Workflows
Apple Intelligence is integrated throughout macOS 27, bringing AI-powered tools to many of Apple’s built-in apps.
Write with Siri can generate text from scratch, rewrite existing content, proofread documents, and provide suggestions while preserving your writing style. These tools are available across supported apps where users write text.
Visual Intelligence also comes to the Mac, allowing Siri to understand what’s displayed on your screen and answer questions or perform contextual actions without switching between apps.
Several built-in apps also receive AI-powered upgrades. Safari can automatically organize tabs, monitor webpages for changes, and create browser extensions using natural language descriptions. Shortcuts can generate automations from plain English requests, while Photos gains new AI editing tools for improving and refining images.
Golden Gate Refines the Liquid Glass Design
Rather than introducing another major redesign, macOS 27 Golden Gate builds on the Liquid Glass interface introduced last year.
The public beta adds a new transparency slider that lets users adjust the intensity of the Liquid Glass effect across the system. Apple has also refined transparency to improve readability, added greater visual separation between active and inactive windows, and updated window styling for a cleaner desktop experience.
Apps now feature more consistent toolbars, easier-to-read controls, redesigned sidebars that extend edge to edge, and improved window positioning when using multiple displays.
Performance Gets a Welcome Boost
Apple has also focused heavily on improving performance throughout macOS. The update delivers faster app launches, smoother animations, quicker search results, and improved overall responsiveness across supported Macs. Spotlight, Mail, and Messages all benefit from faster and more relevant search, while general navigation feels more fluid throughout the operating system.
Apple says these optimizations extend to older supported Macs as well, helping everyday tasks feel faster regardless of which compatible Mac you use.
Compatible Macs
macOS 27 Golden Gate is available for compatible Mac models that support the latest version of macOS. However, Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI, require a supported Apple Silicon Mac capable of running Apple Intelligence.
How to Install the macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta
Before installing the beta, Apple recommends creating a complete backup using Time Machine or another backup solution.
To install the update:
- Sign in to the Apple Beta Software Program with your Apple Account.
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Click Beta Updates.
- Select macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta.
- Return to Software Update and install the available update.
Users already running the latest macOS 27 Golden Gate developer beta will not receive a new download since the first public beta is based on the same build.
Apple is expected to continue releasing additional beta updates throughout the summer before macOS 27 Golden Gate is released to all compatible Macs later this year. If you encounter issues while testing the software, you can use the built-in Feedback Assistant app to report bugs and help Apple improve the final release.
