macOS 27: new Siri takes on AI productivity apps
Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate with a revamped Siri that brings iOS 27's AI capabilities to the Mac alongside new Visual Intelligence tools, and a series of visual updates that make window and icon styling more consistent. The update also delivers Spotlight improvements, Safari AI page tracking, and multiple smaller productivity and safety enhancements.
Why It Matters
By giving Siri access to window and selection-level context on the desktop, Apple aims to fold AI assistance more directly into Mac workflows—helping with searches, document editing and task automation—while the design changes standardize the look and feel of apps and windows across the system.
Key Facts
- Release name: macOS 27 Golden Gate
- Headline features: Updated Siri AI with Visual Intelligence; system-wide design changes (Liquid Glass icons, consistent corner radius, edge-to-edge sidebars)
- Visual Intelligence shortcuts: Command + Shift + Space to add focused window to AI context; Command + Shift + 6 to open crosshair selection tool
- Spotlight changes: Ask Siri within Spotlight; search within Applications, Files, Actions, Clipboard; run Shortcuts; view recent search history
- Safari updates: AI-powered page tracking and automatic tab organization by topic (
Apple's macOS 27 Golden Gate centers on two visible shifts: a more capable Siri that uses desktop context and a visual refresh that unifies window and icon styling across the system. The Siri update brings the same underlying features introduced on iOS 27 to the Mac, but expands what the assistant can reference by letting it see or be given the current window or a selected region of the screen.
The release introduces new Visual Intelligence controls so Siri can work from targeted context. Users can press Command + Shift + Space to add the currently focused window to the AI’s context or press Command + Shift + 6 to draw a crosshair selection and ask questions about that specific area. After making a selection, the system surfaces relevant shortcuts such as “Select,” “Add to Contact,” and “Look up Location.” Apple also expanded Siri’s reach into Spotlight, allowing direct questions there, scoped searches within Applications, Files, Actions or Clipboard, running Shortcuts, and checking recent search history.
Because Siri on macOS can access files, email and messages, the assistant can pull up information without opening documents. In testing, the reviewer retrieved membership IDs, trip details and an embargo date without manually opening files. Siri can also assist with writing tasks on the desktop—proofreading, improving, rewriting selected text blocks or drafting content directly into text boxes—features Apple positions as particularly useful on larger screens.
Beyond Siri, Golden Gate adds practical refinements: Safari gained AI-driven page tracking and can auto-organize tabs by topic; Finder will suggest file names when downloading or renaming based on context; and the UI received Liquid Glass icons with an adjustable slider, more consistent corner radii, edge-to-edge sidebars and stronger highlighting of active windows. Additional features include enhanced child-safety controls, shared cross-platform photo albums, an updated eraser, improved email search, app resizing for iPhone mirroring and quick suggestions for adding events to Calendar. The update is available now for a range of Apple Silicon Macs via System Settings > General > Software Update.
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