Janet Ingber
This fall, Apple released its new operating system for the Mac. Staying true to its California-inspired naming convention, the system is called macOS 15.0, Sequoia. Since then, two updates have been released, with the latest version being macOS 15.2. An M1 chip or higher is required to utilize the new Apple AI features. For this article, an M1 Mac running macOS 15.2 Sequoia was used.
Here are some of the new features:
iPhone Mirroring
iPhone Mirroring allows users to access their iPhone directly from their Mac’s screen. The iPhone can be locked or unlocked but must remain near the Mac. Before starting Mirroring, ensure that both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and are signed into the same Apple account.
The first time you use iPhone Mirroring, open the iPhone Mirroring app to link your iPhone and Mac. By default, the app is already in the dock but can also be found in the Applications folder. The setup instructions are clear and straightforward.
While iPhone Mirroring is active, your iPhone cannot be used directly, which VoiceOver will notify you about. However, you can still adjust privacy and login permissions. To access settings during Mirroring, press Command-Comma or use the iPhone Mirroring option in the menu bar.
Navigate the virtual iPhone screen using VoiceOver and arrow keys. Use Command-1, Command-2, or Command-3 to switch to the Home Screen, App Switcher, or Spotlight, respectively. Alternatively, you can use the View menu to accomplish the same. To access the Actions menu, press VO-Command-M.
Notifications that typically appear on your iPhone can also be displayed on your Mac while using Mirroring. On your Mac, navigate to the iPhone screen, open Settings, select Apps, and then choose Notifications. Enable the "Show on Mac" option for the desired apps.
Siri and ChatGPT
ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, is now integrated into macOS Sequoia.
To get started, go to System Settings and select Apple Intelligence & Siri. Here, you can configure Siri and enable ChatGPT, which is turned off by default. A ChatGPT account is not required, but having one—especially a paid account—can provide enhanced access to the latest versions of ChatGPT. Even with a free account, you'll still have limited access to the latest version. If Siri cannot answer a question, it will prompt you to use ChatGPT.
Siri and Search
Thanks to Apple Intelligence, Siri is now more intuitive and capable of handling complex requests. You no longer need to invoke Siri multiple times to issue commands related to a previous one, as its contextual awareness has significantly improved. Additionally, Siri can now retrieve information from apps and files on your Mac.
Writing Tools
Apple has introduced new Writing Tools integrated with ChatGPT, available in Apple apps that support text input, such as Mail, Messages, TextEdit, and Notes.
In supported apps, Writing Tools can be accessed via the Edit menu. The first option, Show Writing Tools, includes the "Describe Your Change" feature. Here, you can specify a desired style for your text. For example, after typing a few lines of text, I selected "Describe Your Change," entered "Make it funny," and ChatGPT applied the requested changes.
Other options under Writing Tools include:
- Proofread: This feature highlights potential improvements with buttons like Replace and Copy. While effective, it is not flawless.
- Tone Adjustments: Options such as "Make Friendly," "Make Professional," and "Rewrite" are available. Additional choices include "Summarize" and "Make Key Points."
- Compose: This feature allows ChatGPT to generate text based on your input. For example, I asked ChatGPT to write a story about a dog, and it delivered.
Messages
Messages can now be scheduled to send at a later date and time, up to two weeks in advance. The Tapback feature, which includes emojis and stickers, is now available on Mac. Long group texts can also be summarized.
Passwords
The Passwords app from the iPhone is now available on Mac and syncs seamlessly with iPhones and iPads. However, unlike on the iPhone, there is currently no way to lock apps directly on the Mac. Third-party apps are available for this functionality.
VoiceOver
- The Languages rotor has been renamed to the Voice rotor, enabling easy switching between voices and languages.
- New voices have been added for Arabic, Chinese, English, Hebrew, Japanese, and Korean.
- In the VoiceOver Utility, the Commanders category is now called Commands.
- VoiceOver can now be used in Recovery mode, reverting to default settings as needed.
- If your Mac has a trackpad, you can disable it while VoiceOver is active to prevent accidental non-VoiceOver gestures.
- A new interactive tutorial is available. Access it with VO-Command-FN-8.
Natural Language Search
You can now search Apple Music and Apple TV+ using natural language. For instance:
- In Apple TV+, I dictated, "I want a really scary movie," which returned results like Alien, Scream, and Get Out.
- In Apple Music, I said, "I want some upbeat country music," and was presented with playlists like Country Jukebox Essentials and Happy Hour, as well as individual songs.
Conclusion
If you have a supported device, macOS 15.2 Sequoia offers a variety of useful new features. Even more AI-driven updates are expected in 2025.
