macOS Tahoe 26.4 is coming soon as the next software update for your Mac. Here are four new features included in macOS 26.4.
#1: Battery Charge Limit
iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have built-in features that let you limit their max charge level. And now with macOS 26.4, the Mac joins that list.
‘Charge Limit’ is a new macOS 26.4 feature that lets you set your MacBook’s maximum charge limit to less than 100%.
You can choose anywhere from 80-100% as your preferred limit. Setting a lower limit, per Apple, can “help prolong your battery’s lifespan.”
The new setting is available inside System Settings’ Battery menu. Just click the ‘i’ next to ‘Charging.’
#2: Safari’s Compact Tab Bar
If you enjoyed Safari’s ‘Compact Tab Bar’ setting that used to be available in macOS, Apple is bringing it back in macOS 26.4.
Apparently in response to more outcry than expected over the removal, Apple has restored ‘Compact Tab Bar’ as an option in Safari’s settings.
Compact Tab Bar lets you see more of a webpage on-screen at a time. It’s therefore especially useful on smaller laptop displays.
But whether you’re on a 13-inch MacBook Neo or using a 27-inch Studio Display XDR, with macOS 26.4 you’ll have the option of a clean, condensed tab bar at the top of your browser.
#3: Freeform gets Creator Studio-exclusive features
When Apple Creator Studio launched earlier this year, it provided access to pro apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro, and also unlocked exclusive new features in apps like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
At the time, Apple said that later in the year, Freeform would gain Creator Studio-exclusive features too.
Now, those new features are officially coming in macOS 26.4.
Freeform users can access premium images in the Content Hub, upscale low-resolution images, generate crop suggestions, and create new images using OpenAI’s models.
#4: New emoji
Eight brand new emoji are coming to the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and more via Apple’s 26.4 updates.
In macOS 26.4 you’ll find the following additions to the built-in emoji:
- Ballet Dancer
- Distorted Face
- Fight Cloud
- Hairy Creature
- Landslide
- Orca
- Trombone
- Treasure Chest
You might recognize ‘Distorted Face’ as looking a lot like an emoji featured in the controversial iPad Pro ad ‘Crush’ from 2024.
Which new macOS 26.4 features are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
Best Mac accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (limited-time $224 price)
- 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging
- tomtoc protective MacBook sleeve bag
- Twelve South aluminum laptop stand for MacBooks
- Anker Docking Station USB-C with Ethernet, HDMI, SD, more
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