Being a gamer on a Mac isn't easy at the best of times -- and that's despite Apple recently releasing some of the best gaming Macs to date. The company struggles to get game developers to bring their wares to the Mac, and until that happens Apple can't hope people will consider MacOS a viable gaming platform. It's the classic chicken and egg situation. And things are about to get worse.

If you're a gamer who happens to have macOS High Sierra or macOS Mojave installed, you might find that your games stop working soon. That's following the news that Valve intends to drop support for those two (admittedly older) operating systems.

Valve won't come around and uninstall Steam from your Mac any time soon, meaning there's a rub to this story. Because while the obvious thing for people to do might be to update to something newer, that isn't always easy. What's more, it might be downright impossible, too.

The problem

This situation all started when Steam posted a new page noting that it intends to stop supporting macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave. The game maker says the change is required because "core features in Steam rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which no longer functions on older versions of macOS." Ever wondered why Steam is so unresponsive? It's a glorified webpage masquerading as a real app. It does that by running a build of Chrome, it seems, and with Google dropping support for macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave, Steam has to follow suit.

And that's a problem. In the announcement, Valve said it wanted to "strongly encourage all macOS 10.13/10.14 users to update sooner rather than later." Because those who don't won't get any more updates, including security updates, nor will they get technical support if they ask for it. Should anything break, you're on your own -- and that sucks.

This all happens on February 15, 2024, so gamers have some time to decide what they want to do. And as previously mentioned, simply updating to macOS Sonoma isn't always the answer.

The bigger problem

See, as Valve notes, "macOS 10.14 was the last version to support running 32-bit games on macOS." That means anyone running a newer version of macOS can't play 32-bit games. Portal and Portal 2 are two of the best Mac games and they don't have 32-bit support, for example, meaning they're a no-go on any Mac running newer versions of Apple's operating system. As a result, updating to macOS Mojave would break those games, which means updating isn't as simple as some might have thought.

There's another wrinkle to consider, too. Not everyone can upgrade to newer versions of macOS. Those with older Macs might not have the option to, leaving them with few choices but to hope that Steam doesn't break. Again, that sucks.

But Valve does have one point that's worth remembering: These older versions of macOS are insecure, and security updates are no longer offered for them. With that in mind, updating to macOS Sonoma or the latest version available to you is always a good idea notwithstanding the 32-bit situation. Because a safe and secure Mac is the best Mac. It's just a shame that gamers are now stuck between a rock and a hard place and there's no easy fix, unfortunately.

More from iMore

• The current state of Mac gaming
• The macOS Sonoma review
• How to use iPhone widgets in macOS Sonoma

If you've used a Mac with macOS Mojave or later installed you've probably also used a Mac with the Bitcoin whitepaper on it as well.

That doesn't mean that you or the Mac's owner is a Bitcoin truther, though. It seems that Macs have had the whitepaper hidden on their SSD since 2018 and nobody seems to really know why that might be.

But it's definitely there. We've checked. And now you can as well.

Taking your Mac to the moon

The whole strange situation was reported by Andy Baio over at waxy.org where the developer reports trying to fix a printer issue before finding a PDF copy of Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper infamous whitepaper.

Nobody knows who Nakamoto is, nor do we know who put the whitepaper there. But it seems to have been used as a test document for a device called Virtual Scanner II in the Image Capture app.

Want to take a look for yourself? Because you can.

To test the theory for yourself, open a Terminal window and enter the following without the scare quotes — "open /System/Library/Image\ Capture/Devices/VirtualScanner.app/Contents/Resources/simpledoc.pdf" and press Return.

When you do, Preview should open the PDF ready for your perusal.

Now, you don't need to be rocking any of Apple's latest and best Macs for this to work. Baioi says they found the file on Macs going back to 2018's macOS Mojave, so this isn't a macOS Ventura thing. Not by a long shot.

As for what's going on, nobody knows. But this isn't the first time the whitepaper has been spotted — it was also reported in an Apple Community post two years ago.

Amazingly, Baio says that "a little bird tells me that someone internally filed it as an issue nearly a year ago, assigned to the same engineer who put the PDF there in the first place, and that person hasn’t taken action or commented on the issue since."

Amazing.

What you need to know

• Apple has released security updates to both macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina.
• The updates come on the same day that the company released macOS Big Sur 11.5.

Earlier today, Apple released macOS Big Sur 11.5 to the public. In addition, the company has released some important security updates for users on macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina.

Apple has released the full list of security updates that were released today to both macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina. The updates include fixes to audio, Bluetooth, and WebKit.

You can check out the full list of security fixes below:

AMD Kernel

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30805: ABC Research s.r.o

AppKit

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Opening a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

Description: An information disclosure issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

CVE-2021-30790: hjy79425575 working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

Audio

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A local attacker may be able to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30781: tr3e

Bluetooth

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2021-30672: say2 of ENKI

CoreAudio

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted audio file may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2021-30775: JunDong Xie of Ant Security Light-Year Lab

CoreAudio

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Playing a malicious audio file may lead to an unexpected application termination

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-30776: JunDong Xie of Ant Security Light-Year Lab

CoreStorage

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges

Description: An injection issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-30777: Tim Michaud(@TimGMichaud) of Zoom Video Communications and Gary Nield of ECSC Group plc

CoreText

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted font file may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30789: Sunglin of Knownsec 404 team, Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro

CoreText

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted font may result in the disclosure of process memory

Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30733: Sunglin from the Knownsec 404

CVMS

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

CVE-2021-30780: Tim Michaud(@TimGMichaud) of Zoom Video Communications

dyld

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-30768: Linus Henze (pinauten.de)

FontParser

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted font file may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: An integer overflow was addressed through improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30760: Sunglin of Knownsec 404 team

FontParser

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted font file may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A stack overflow was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30759: hjy79425575 working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

FontParser

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted tiff file may lead to a denial-of-service or potentially disclose memory contents

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30788: tr3e working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

ImageIO

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking.

CVE-2021-30785: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro, CFF of Topsec Alpha Team

Intel Graphics Driver

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An application may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30787: Anonymous working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

Intel Graphics Driver

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: An out-of-bounds write was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2021-30765: Liu Long of Ant Security Light-Year Lab

CVE-2021-30766: Liu Long of Ant Security Light-Year Lab

IOUSBHostFamily

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An unprivileged application may be able to capture USB devices

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30731: UTM (@UTMapp)

Kernel

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A double free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

CVE-2021-30703: an anonymous researcher

Kernel

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2021-30793: Zuozhi Fan (@pattern_F_) of Ant Security TianQiong Lab

LaunchServices

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A malicious application may be able to break out of its sandbox

Description: This issue was addressed with improved environment sanitization.

CVE-2021-30677: Ron Waisberg (@epsilan)

LaunchServices

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions

Description: An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions.

CVE-2021-30783: Ron Waisberg (@epsilan)

Model I/O

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to a denial of service

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.

CVE-2021-30796: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro

Sandbox

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: A malicious application may be able to access restricted files

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

CVE-2021-30782: Csaba Fitzl (@theevilbit) of Offensive Security

WebKit

Available for: macOS Catalina

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2021-30799: Sergei Glazunov of Google Project Zero

What you need to know

• Apple has released a supplemental update to macOS Mojave.
• macOS Mojave 10.14.6 fixes issues caused by an earlier update Apple released a couple of weeks ago.
• Users who downloaded the original update can download the supplemental update now.

Reported by 9to5Mac, Apple has released a supplemental updated for macOS Mojave that fixes all of the issues caused by its earlier update to the operating system. The new update, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, fixes the problems caused by the macOS Mojave 2020-005 Security Update as well as the bugs that users reported when upgrading to Safari 14.

Apple had originally released Safari 14 and the macOS Mojave Security Update to users of macOS Mojave back on September 16th. The update, besides patching some security vulnerabilities, allowed users to try out Safari 14 with its customizable home page, privacy reports, and new design before it rolls out with macOS Big Sur later this fall.

If you want to learn more about macOS Big Sur, check out our preview for Apple's biggest change to macOS in years.

However, many users reported issues after installing the upgrade, so Apple pulled the update on Thursday, October 1. The company promised that it would be releasing a fix for those who had already installed the update, and thankfully that fix has come only a day after pulling the update.

If you are running macOS Mojave and had installed the original update, you can find the new supplemental update under System Preferences > Software Update.

What you need to know

• Apple has pulled Safari 14 and a security update for macOS Mojave.
• The company pulled the updates after issues being reported by users.
• Apple plans to release a fix for the issues caused by the updates.

A couple of weeks ago, Apple rolled out Safari 14 and a number of security updates to users of macOS Catalina and Mojave. The update, which came before Safari 14 rolls out with macOS Big Sur later this fall, allowed users to experience Safari's new design, privacy reports, and support for 4K HDR video from sites like YouTube.

However, as reported by MacRumors, Apple appears to have pulled both the macOS Mojave and Catalina security updates, as well as Safari 14 for macOS Mojave.

According to a report by Mr. Macintosh, both of the updates were causing issues for users running macOS Mojave.

For those running macOS Mojave that have already installed the update, Apple will be releasing another update to patch the issues. As noted by MacRumors, restoring from a Time Machine backup or upgrading to macOS Catalina would also fix the problems.

If you want to learn more about what is coming with macOS Big Sur besides Safari 14, check out our preview on the upcoming release.

macOS Catalina is coming soon! Are you ready to upgrade? Apple has made it easier than ever to update to the latest operating system, even if you are running an older operating system on your Mac.

Step 1: Check your compatibility

First and foremost, make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Catalina. In general, most Macs from 2012 or newer are compatible. Here's a list of Macs that can run macOS Catalina:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU)

Just because your Mac supports Catalina, doesn't necessarily mean you should update, at least right away. There are a few things to consider.

Should you upgrade your Mac to macOS Catalina?

Step 2: Back up your Mac!

Before downloading any major update to your Mac operating system, it is very important to back up your data. The best way to ensure a smooth transition from an older operating system to Catalina is with Time Machine. If you don't already have a backup plan in place, there are a few options you can check out.

Best backup plan for your Mac

Step 3: Download and install macOS Catalina

Apple has made it easy to download and install macOS Catalina right from your system settings.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on Software Updates.
4. Click on Update Now.

• How to install macOS Catalina over the Catalina beta seed
• Should you carry over your current Mac settings or do a clean install of macOS Catalina
• How to install a fresh copy of macOS Catalina on your Mac
• How to remove a hard drive partition on your Mac
• How to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Questions?

If you run into trouble during the upgrade process, give us a shout!

What you need to know

• Apple has released Supplemental Update 2 for macOS Mojave.
• Addresses purported vulnerability against a "remote attacker".
• Comes in wake of rumors that macOS Catalina could be launched on October 4.

Apple has released Supplemental Update 2 for macOS Mojave. The update, for version 10.14.6 was made available yesterday, and provides a security update to Apple's latest macOS operating system. The security update is also available for macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.

Security notes for the update state:

• Available for: macOS Sierra 10.12.6, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, and macOS Mojave 10.14.6
• Impact: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
• Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation.

The security update comes admidst speculation that Apple's next macOS instalment, Catalina, will be released on Friday October 4 following an update to the company's Danish website. Apple has not given an official release date for macOS Catalina. You can find out everything you need to know about macOS Catalina here

To download the latest supplemental security update, just head to Software Update inside System Preferences on your Mac and selected "update now".

Apple continues to add new features to Safari on a regular basis to try to make our web browsing experience faster, easier, and—above all—more secure.

You can open up a private browser window anytime you want in Safari's file menu and Safari won't save your browsing history and will ask websites you visit not to track you. But there are a few more steps you might want to consider taking.

The place to go for most of these things is in Safari's preferences window, accessed from the Safari menu.

• How to guard against unsafe files
• How to identify fraudulent websites
• How to disable JavaScript
• How to prevent cross-site tracking
• How to block all cookies in Safari
• How to remove website data
• How to clear your browsing history
• How to check for Apple Pay on websites
• How to allow or deny camera, microphone, and location access
• How to block pop-up windows

How to guard against unsafe files

As with all things related to security, there's a balancing act between convenience and safety. Safari will automatically open certain types of "safe" files you download from the web as a matter of convenience. But because a malicious file could be disguised as a "safe" file, it's a good idea to guard against unsafe files—and it's as easy as checking a box.

1. Launch Safari. If it's not in the Dock, you can find it in the Applications folder.
2. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....

3. Click the General button.
4. Uncheck the box to Open "safe" files after downloading.

Downloads will occur as they usually do, and to the location you have chosen, but the files won't automatically open.

How to identify fraudulent websites

Safari already identifies websites that use encryption (indicated by a padlock icon in the address bar) and an EV certificate which indicates a more extensive identity verification of the website operator (indicated in green). Safari also uses Google Safe Browsing technology--which is simply a list of websites that may contain malware, unwanted software, or phishing scams.

If it's not already on, here's how to do so:

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Security button.
3. Check the box to Warn when visiting a fraudulent website.

If you happen to run across one of these sites, Safari will put up a full-screen warning about the site before you can proceed.

How to disable JavaScript

Many—if not all—webpages contain JavaScript, which enables certain functionality for web pages, such as displaying the time and date or displaying an image from a set of options.

You can disable JavaScript if you like, but it may impact the functioning of the web page.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Security button.
3. Uncheck the box to disable JavaScript.

How to prevent cross-site tracking

If you've been using Safari and suddenly seen a plethora of lawnmower ads not long after doing some web research about lawnmowers, then congratulations: you've discovered crop-site tracking. It's a way of keeping track of your behavior on one part of the internet to show you ads while using a different part of the internet. If you prefer, you can turn it off.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Privacy button.
3. Check the box to Prevent cross-site tracking and check the box to Ask websites not to track me.

Keep in mind that while you can ask websites not to track you, it's up to the website creator to honor your request.

How to block all cookies in Safari

Cookies are small text files a website may store on your Mac to help identify you or your Mac when you visit the website in the future. Examples of content stored in a cookie are your name, site browsing history, and preferences. If you don't want Safari to use cookies, you can shut it off.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Privacy button.
3. Uncheck the box to Block all cookies.

How to remove website data

If you ever decide to remove website data from your Mac, you can do it selectively for certain websites or remove all the data.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Privacy button.

3. Click the Manage Website Data... button.
4. Select a website and click the Remove button to remove the site's cache, cookies, or local storage or click the Remove All button to delete data for all websites.

How to clear your browsing history

Rather than root around through a set of checkboxes and pop-up menus, you can clear your browsing history, cookies, and website data with a menu command.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Clear History....
2. From the Clear pop-up menu, choose how far back you want to go.
3. Click Clear History.

In addition to the history of the website pages you've visited, you'll also give the heave-ho to recent searches, a list of items you have downloaded, the frequently visited site list, and other information.

If your Mac and other devices have Safari turned on in iCloud preferences, the clear history command will remove the browsing history from Safari on those other devices.

How to check for Apple Pay on websites

You can enable Safari on your Mac to show you websites that can accept payments via Apple Pay. You can then make the payments from your Apple Watch or iPhone, or using Touch ID if it's built into your Mac.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Privacy button.
3. Check the box to Allow websites to check if Apple Pay is set up.

How to allow or deny camera, microphone, and location access

Safari includes the ability to determine whether or not websites ask can use your Mac's camera and microphone. Here's how to set it up.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Websites button.

3. From the General section of the sidebar, click Camera.
4. Click the pop-up menu for "When visiting other websites" and choose Ask, Deny, or Allow, depending on your preference.

The settings work in exactly the same way for your Mac's microphone and your location. Simply click Microphone or Location in the sidebar. Similarly, you can change the setting for currently open websites to suit your preference.

How to block pop-up windows

Some web pages that you visit will automatically display a pop-up window that will block content—often with an ad—that you're trying to view. While this can be annoying, there are some sites that require pop-up windows to work properly. Fortunately, Safari provides fine-grained control of these pop-up windows.

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences....
2. Click the Websites button.

3. From the General section of the sidebar, click Pop-up Windows.
4. Click the pop-up menu for "When visiting other websites" and choose Block and Notify, Block, or Allow, depending on your preference.

Similarly, you can change the setting for currently open websites to suit your preference.

If you choose Block and Notify, a small icon will appear on the right side of the Smart Search field. Click it to display the pop-up windows for the web page.

Great Mac accessories

Apple AirPods 2 (From $159 at Apple)

The best Apple accessory has gotten betting with AirPods 2. Now offering a wireless charger case, the popular earbuds feature the new Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers a faster wireless connection to your devices, as well as support for "Hey Siri."

Samsung T5 SSD (From $88 at Amazon)

This solid-state drive from Samsung is speedy, tiny, and portable. It also connects using USB-C, making it a perfect companion for your new Mac.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below.

Updated August 2019: Updated through macOS Mojave and the macOS Catalina beta.

Continuity Camera is a feature in macOS and iOS that allows you to open your iOS device's camera from your Mac, then immediately transfer a photo that you take over to a document that you're working with on your Mac. So, for instance, if you're working on a Pages document on your Mac, and you need a photo of something that's nearby, you can activate Continuity Camera, take the photo with your iPhone, then immediately see that photo pop up in the document on your Mac.

Here's how you'll use Continuity Camera on your Mac and iOS devices.

• How to add a photo with Continuity Camera
• How to scan a document with Continuity Camera

How to add a photo with Continuity Camera

In order to use Continuity Camera, you need to be working with an editable document.

1. Open your document or project in an app like Pages, Keynote, or TextEdit.
2. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on a space within the document (Note: your photo will end up wherever you end up clicking).

3. Hover over Import from iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Take Photo under the name of the iOS device you'll use to take that photo.

5. Take a photo using your chosen iPhone or iPad.
6. Tap Use Photo. Your photo will now appear in your document where you clicked.

How to scan a document with Continuity Camera

1. Open your document or project in an app like Pages, Keynote, or TextEdit.
2. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on a space within the document (Note: your photo will end up wherever you end up clicking).

3. Hover over Import from iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Scan Documents under the name of the iOS device you'll use to scan that document.

5. Scan the document using your iPhone or iPad. You decide which one by picking the device up and using it. Repeat to scan multiple documents.
6. Tap Save. Your documents will be inserted into the document on your Mac.

For more on scanning documents on iOS, check out our guide.

How to scan a document to a note in Notes

Great accessories for your Mac

Apple AirPods 2 (From $159 at Apple)

The best Apple accessory has gotten betting with AirPods 2. Now offering a wireless charger case, the popular earbuds feature the new Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers a faster wireless connection to your devices, as well as support for "Hey Siri."

Bose Companion 20 ($250 at Amazon)

These beautiful speakers offer a balanced sound in a stylish package. With no knobs on the front, a small pod attached to the right speaker controls volume, which also holds the ports for your headphones or other audio devices.

Questions?

If you have any further questions about Continuity Camera, let us know in the comments.

Updated August 2019: Up to date through macOS Catalina and iOS 13.

macOS Mojave 10.14.6 will be arriving soon with new features that need testing before they're launched to the public. As usual, Apple is providing an early version of this macOS release to developers so that they can test their apps against it and prepare for its release to Mac owners.

What's new in the macOS Mojave beta?

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.6 beta 5 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.6 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.6 beta 4 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.6 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.6 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.6 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.6 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.6 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.6 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.6 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 beta 5 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 beta 4 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 6 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 5 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 4 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 beta 4 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.2 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.2 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.2 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 5 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 4 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 3 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 2 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 1 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 11 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 10 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 9 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 8 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 7 for developers. If you already have the macOS developer beta installed, head to Mac App Store > Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14 to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

• How to make an archived backup of your Mac
• How to download the macOS Mojave developer beta
• How to install the macOS Mojave developer beta
• How to install the macOS Mojave beta on a partition or external drive
• How to get started with the macOS Mojave developer beta

How to make an archived backup of your Mac with Time Machine

Before you begin, make sure you back up your Mac. The download and installation process is fairly easy, but any time you make significant changes to your computer, you risk problems. When it comes to securing your data, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Even if you just backed everything up the night before, make sure your Mac is completely up-to-date.

1. Connect an external hard disk or Time Capsule with a USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt cable.
2. Click on the Apple icon () in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Select System Preferences... from the dropdown menu.
4. Select Time Machine in the System Preferences window.

5. Turn the Time Machine slider On.
6. Click Select Backup Disk and choose the disk you'd like to use. Time Machine will format the hard drive for backups and start within two minutes.

How to download the macOS Mojave developer beta

Downloading the latest beta on your Mac is as simple as visiting Apple's developer portal.

1. Visit developer.apple.com on your Mac.
2. Click on the Develop tab.
3. Click on the Downloads tab.

4. Log in with your developer account.
5. Scroll down and click on the Download button for macOS 10.14. The file will automatically download to your Mac.

6. Open your Downloads window and select macOS Mojave Developer Beta Access Utility.
7. Double-click macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.pkg to run the installer. When the installer is finished downloading, the Mac App Store will automatically open to the Updates section. Click Update to download and install the developer beta software. After the software has been downloaded, your Mac will automatically restart.

If the latest developer beta does not appear on the Updates list, restart your Mac. Then, open the Mac App Store and click the Updates tab.

The developer beta update can take a long time to finish downloading, depending on the size. You can check the status in the Updates tab of the Mac App Store.

How to install the macOS Mojave developer beta

After macOS Mojave is finished downloading, you will be prompted to install the software automatically.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Agree to Apple's Terms and Conditions.
3. Click on Install.
4. Follow the instructions to install macOS Mojave.

Your Mac will reboot to install macOS Mojave. You'll see a black screen with the Apple Logo and a progress bar. Grab a cup of coffee while you wait for the software to finish installing.

How to install the macOS Mojave beta on a partition

To keep your Mac's data from getting corrupted by a beta operating system, you can partition your Mac's hard drive to run macOS Mojave in tandem with your current operating system.

1. Create a partition on your Mac if you haven't already done so.
2. Select Continue when the download is finished and ready to install.
3. Agree to the terms.
4. Click Agree to confirm that you have read the terms.
5. Select Show All Disks to switch from your main partition.
6. Select the partition you wish to install the software on.
7. Click Install.

The installation helper will allow you to transfer information from your current operating system, or you could choose to do a clean installation to start your Mac from scratch.

How to get started with the macOS Mojave developer beta

Once your Mac reboots, you'll be set up with macOS Mojave. You'll have to follow a couple of steps to get started.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. iCloud will sync your desktop and other files.
3. Click on Get Started.

You'll be directed to your Home screen where you can start digging around to find all of the fun new features.

Apple has been offering public betas for macOS for a couple of years now as a way for those interested in testing out the upcoming software on their Macs, and providing feedback. If that's you, you'll need to sign up, enroll your Mac, download the macOS Mojave beta (version 10.14.5), and install it. It's not an overly complicated process, but we're here to walk you through it and, if you need it, a place to get extra help.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Note: This guide is being updated in real time. If you are seeing old content, refresh the page or come back later.

What's new in the macOS Mojave public beta?

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.5 public beta 4 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta 3 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.5 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta 4 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta 3 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.4 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 public beta 4 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.3 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.3 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.2 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.1 public beta 4 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS 10.14.1 to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14 public beta 7 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for beta 3 to get started with macOS 10.14 testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14 public beta 6 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS Mojave public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for beta 3 to get started with macOS 10.14 testing, now's the time to grab it!

• How to make a backup of your Mac
• How to register your account for the macOS 10.14.4 public beta
• How to enroll your Mac in the macOS 10.14.4 public beta
• How to install the macOS 10.14.4 public beta
• How to update to a new version of the macOS 10.14.4 public beta

How to make a back up of your Mac

Before joining the public beta, you need to make a backup of your Mac. That way, if something goes wrong, or if you're simply not happy and want to revert to macOS 10.14.3, you can go right back to where you started.

Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make double, triple sure you're covered. So make a manual backup now. Here's how to do it with Time Machine. Even if you use something different or additional, like SuperDuper!, make sure you manually start a backup now.

1. Click on the Time Machine icon in your Mac Menubar.
2. Click on Backup now.

Let the backup finish before proceeding.

Note: If you're not adverse to the Terminal, you can also make a bootable Mojave installer as a way to jumpstart reversion, if needed.

How to register your account for the macOS 10.14.4 public beta

If you've already joined a public beta for macOS in the past, you don't need to register again for macOS 10.14.4. Simply sign in with the same Apple ID. If you've never joined a public beta before, you'll need to start by signing up with your Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com in Safari on your Mac.
2. Click on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a previous public beta, Click on Sign in and skip to "How to enroll your Mac", below.)
3. Enter you Apple ID email address and password.
4. Click Sign in.

Once you're signed up and signed in, it's time to start downloading.

How to enroll your Mac in the macOS 10.14.4 public beta

Downloading the macOS 10.14.4 public beta is done through the Mac App Store but requires a special code (like a promo or gift code). The code is provided for you on the website but is also automatically entered for you when you click to begin the process.

1. Go to beta.apple.com, if you're not there already.
2. Click on the macOS tab, if it's not highlighted already.
3. Click the Download macOS Public Beta Access Utility button.
4. Open the file from your Downloads window.
5. Double-click the package to run the installer.

When the installer is finished downloading, the Mac App Store will automatically open to the Updates section. Click Update to download and install the public beta software. After the software has been downloaded, your Mac will automatically restart.

If the latest public beta does not appear on the Updates list, restart your Mac. Then, open the Mac App Store and click the Updates tab.

The public beta update can take a long time to finish downloading, depending on the size. You can check the status in the Updates tab of the Mac App Store.

How to install the macOS 10.14.4 public beta

The macOS public beta installer will automatically open when it's downloaded. If it doesn't, or if you prefer to do it later, you open Install macOS Mojave Public Beta at any time via Spotlight or Launchpad, or from the Application folder in the Finder.

1. Launch Install macOS Mojave Public Beta app, if it's not launched already.
2. Click Continue at the bottom.

3. If prompted to make a backup, and you didn't before, click Continue in the drop-down. If you just made a backup, click Cancel.
4. Click Continue at the bottom once your backup completes, or if you skipped it.
5. Click Agree to accept the licensing terms.
6. Click Agree again to confirm.

7. Click on the drive you want to install onto (if you have multiple options; most people won't.)
8. Click Install.
9. Enter you administrator password and click OK.
10. Click Restart (if your Mac doesn't restart automatically, or you don't want to wait).

Once your Mac reboots, it'll be running the macOS public beta. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.

Once that's done, you'll be ready to rock macOS 10.14.4.

How to update to a new version of the macOS 10.14.4 public beta

Downloading software updates has changed since macOS Mojave, and updating your Mac is no longer done through the Mac App Store.

1. Open System Preferences from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click Software Update.

3. Click Update Now if there is an update available for your Mac.
4. Click the checkbox next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date if you want your Mac to automatically download and install software updates in the future.

What's new, and what if you don't like it?

If you ultimately decide macOS Mojave 10.14.4 isn't for you, you can still revert back to macOS 10.14.3.

Apple's macOS 10.14.4 Developer Beta 1, which was released earlier this week, includes a new tool for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air owners who have Touch ID. The update allows you to add Autofills in Safari with your finger for the first time.

Currently, in the Safari app on Mac, you can use AutoFill to automatically fill in forms, usernames, and passwords on web pages, including information from contacts, credit cards, and other forms. You can setup AutoFill web forms in Preferences in the Safari app.

Once macOS 10.14.4 is released to the public and if the feature remains (it's a beta after all), Mac owners with supported devices will be able to use Safari AutoFill just by putting their finger on the Touch ID reader. The new Touch ID setting is located in System Preferences under Touch ID.

Currently, you can use Touch ID on macOS to unlock your Mac, using Apple Pay, and making purchases in iTunes and the Mac App Store.

In addition to adding the ability to use Safari Autofill with Touch ID, the macOS 10.14.4 Developer Beta 1 also includes Apple News for Canadian users. The same feature is coming for iOS users in the upcoming iOS 12.2 update.

When macOS Mojave was released in September, it brought with it scores of interesting new features: a Dark Mode, a redesigned App Store, and the ability to stack items on your desktop, to name a few. However, the most whimsical addition — as is often the case — is not a practical element, but a visual one. Mojave's new Dynamic Wallpapers are exactly the kind of eye candy that makes me realize that we're truly living in the future. Sure, they're no Bladerunner vending machine, but they are gorgeous, and easily the most fun you can have while staring at your desktop for hours. Here's how to enable them.

1. Launch the System Preferences app on your Mac (the icon that looks like a silver gear).
2. Click on Desktop & Screensaver.
3. Select the Desktop tab at the top.

4. Click on Desktop Pictures in the sidebar if it isn't already selected.
5. Select the Dynamic Wallpaper you'd like to use. These are located underneath the Dynamic Wallpapers header. There are two to choose from: Mojave and Solar Gradients.

6. Select Dynamic from the drop-down menu under the wallpaper's name.
7. Close the System Preferences menu, and you're done!

Though there are only two Dynamic Wallpapers offered at the moment, it's likely that more will be added in future updates. Many are also hoping that Apple will release the format of the wallpapers so that artists can begin making their own, but only time will tell if that will become a possibility or not. Until then, I'll be here in my computer chair, watching this beautiful sand dune change in the color of the friscalating dusklight.

Questions?

Did you have any trouble enabling Dynamic Wallpapers on your Mac? Let us know in the comments below and we'll do our best to help you out.

macOS Mojave doesn't introduce a lot of changes to the Mac user experience, dark mode aside. But one major difference between macOS Mojave and every version of the system released since 2011 is that, outside of the initial update from macOS High Sierra, updates for Mojave aren't handled by the Mac App Store. Instead, when you want to update past macOS 10.14, you'll do so through System Preferences.

So, if you want to download and install the recently-released macOS 10.14.1, you'll head to the new Software Updates pane in System Preference. Here's exactly what you need to do.

• How to check for software updates in macOS Mojave
• How to have macOS Mojave automatically download and install software updates

How to check for software updates in macOS Mojave

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Click Software Updates.

3. Click Update Now if an update is available and you want to update your Mac at that moment.

How to have macOS Mojave automatically download and install software updates

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Click Software Updates.

3. Click Advanced.
4. Click the checkboxes to enable or disable automatic update checks and downloading, automatic macOS update installation, automatic app update installation, and automatic installation of system data files and security updates.

5. Click OK.

Questions?

If you've got any additional questions about checking for software updates on macOS Mojave, let us know in the comments.

With the release of macOS Mojave, some apps that were previously confined to iOS have made their way to the Mac, including Voice Memos. While it's a fairly basic voice recorder, Voice Memos is still an excellent tool if you just need to make quick voice recordings that you want to sync between all of your devices.

Here's how you use Voice Memos on the Mac.

• How to record a voice memo
• How to listen to an existing voice memo
• How to share voice memos
• How to trim voice memos
• How to rename voice memos
• How to delete voice memos
• How to manage Voice Memo preferences

How to record a voice memo

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click the record button on the bottom-left side of the window.

3. Click the pause button to pause the recording.
4. Click Resume to keep recording.

5. Click Done to finish recording.

How to listen to an existing voice memo

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click on the voice memo to which you want to listen.

3. Click the play button.

How to share voice memos

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click on the voice memo you want to share.

3. Click the share button in the top-right corner of the window.
4. Click the sharing method you want to use and proceed as you normally would with your chosen method.

How to trim voice memos

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click on the voice memo that you want to trim.

3. Click Edit in the top-right corner of the window.
4. Click the trim button in the top-right corner of the window (looks like a square with lines and circles sticking out).

5. Click, hold, and drag on one of the trim sliders to take time off of the beginning or end of the recording.
6. Click Trim to trim the recording down to that selection, or Delete to delete the section highlighted within the trim sliders.

7. Click Save.
8. Click Done.

How to rename voice memos

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Double-click (or triple-click if the name is more than one word) on the name of the voice memo you want to rename.

3. Type the voice memo's new name.
4. Hit the Return/Enter key on your Mac's keyboard.

How to delete voice memos

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click on the voice memo that you want to delete.

3. Hit the Delete key on your keyboard.
4. Alternatively, perform a two-finger swipe to the left on the voice memo you want to delete.
5. Click Delete.

How to manage Voice Memo preferences

1. Open Voice Memos from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click Voice Memos in the Menu bar.

3. Click Preferences…
4. Click on the drop-down menu to select how long after it's been deleted that a voice memo should be cleared.

5. Click on the drop-down menu to select between lossless and compressed audio quality for your recordings.
6. Click the checkbox to allow or prevent Voice Memos from automatically naming your recordings after your location.

Questions?

If you have any questions about using Voice Memos on your Mac, let us know in the comments.

With the release of macOS Mojave comes the Stocks app for Mac. Like on iPhone, you'll be able to search for all of the stocks you're invested or interested in, checking out updates in real time, as well as business news as it comes down the pipe.

Here's how to do all the things in Stocks for Mac!

• How to add stocks to your Watchlist
• How to view stock trends over time
• How to view price changes and company worth
• How to view business news in the Stocks app
• How to rearrange stocks in your Watchlist
• How to remove stocks from your Watchlist

How to add stocks to your Watchlist

If you want to open the Stocks app and immediately view all of the stocks that are most important to you, you can add them to your stocks Watchlist.

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder.
2. Click the Search bar on the top left of the window.
3. Type in the name of a company or stock.
4. Click the stock you'd like to add.
5. Click the green add button next to the name of the stock.

How to view stock trends over time

The Stocks app lets you change the time period for which you can view every stock. You can view trends from the last day to the last 10 years to the stock's entire history.

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder.
2. Click a Stock in your Watchlist or find a stock.
3. Click a time period above the line graph on the right:
   • 1 day
   • 1 week
   • 1 month
   • 3 months
   • 6 months
   • 1 year
   • 2 years
   • 5 years
   • 10 years
   • All: The stock's entire lifespan

How to view price changes and company worth

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder.
2. Click the green or red value to the right of the stock name in your Watchlist.

You can view the company's worth, price-per-share increase or decrease, and percentage increase or decrease.

How to view business news in the Stocks app

You can check out all the latest on the stocks in your Watchlist with business news pulled straight from Yahoo.

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder. Business News will be the first window you see upon launch.
2. Click a story to read more on yahoo's site.

How to rearrange stocks in your Watchlist

Want your most important stocks at the top of your Watchlist? Here's how to move them there:

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder.
2. Click the list button on the bottom right of the Watchlist.
3. Click and hold the reorder button next to the stock you want to move. It's three horizontal lines.
4. Drag the stock up or down to where you'd like it and release.
5. Click Done.

How to remove stocks from your Watchlist

1. Launch the Stocks app from the Finder.
2. Click the list button on the bottom right of your Watchlist.
3. Click the delete button next to the stock you want to remove. It's a red circle with a white line in it.
4. Click Remove.

Updated September 2018: Updated for the official launch of macOS Mojave.

One of the most prominent features of macOS Mojave is the inclusion of a true Dark Mode. While the previous "dark mode" on macOS changed the Dock and Menu bar from light to dark, in macOS Mojave, it changes app windows and toolbars, text, and more.

Several apps have already been updated with support for the new Dark Mode, and will automatically switch over to using it when you turn it on for the system, so you don't even have to turn it on in each individual app. Here are some of the best apps that already support Dark Mode in macOS Mojave.

• Spark
• Fantastical 2
• Bear
• Ulysses
• iA Writer
• Things
• Day One
• Agenda
• Timing
• iMazing
• Pages

Spark

Spark is an excellent email app from Readdle that started out on iOS. In addition to email, Spark can also keep track of reminders and serve as your calendar app if you so choose, thanks to the full-fledged calendar that sits just under your inboxes. Along with support for the system Dark Mode in macOS Mojave, Spark has also added integration with several conference call services, including GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts, and Zoom, letting you add conference call links to any calendar event

Free - Download Now

Fantastical 2

Fantastical is an alternative to the standard macOS calendar. This app features power natural language parsing capabilities, letting you create events on any of your calendars by typing the way you normally would, then letting Fantastical parse out the information relevant to the event. Keep track of your iCloud, Google, and other calendars, manage your reminders, and more.

Free - Download Now

Bear

Bear is a text editing app that has always had support for its own great themes, and the app has now moved beyond itself to support the Mac's new Dark Mode. It's true that Bear is good for both notes and to-do checklists, but its support for Markdown, a variety of themes, and simple organization make it a great tool for many different kinds of writing. Add images, files, code blocks, and more to spice up your work and give it more context.

Free - Download Now

Ulysses

Ulysses is my text editor of choice. It has a powerful set of features for all sorts of text from short news articles or blog entries to highly-researched papers with footnotes. It supports Markdown and a wide variety of themes. With its latest update, Ulysses adds support for Dark Mode on macOS Mojave, along with D14, an editor theme optimized for Dark Mode on Mojave.

Free - Download Now

iA Writer

iA Writer is another great text editor for macOS. Like Ulysses and Bear, this app syncs with its counterparts on iOS, and the Mac app supports the new Mojave Dark Mode. With iA Writer, you get a clean and clear writing experience, with syntax highlighting for nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs to help you become a more attentive writer. In addition to Dark Mode, with iA Writer's most recent update it now lets you group folders with hashtags, create smart folders, and more.

Free - Download Now

Things

Things is a task manager that I've always approached as a 'Reminders+' kind of app. It's simple enough to use just for everyday tasks and as a general to-do list, but it is so much more expansive than that. Create projects with their own sub-lists, or areas specifically to separate work and personal tasks that don't belong in projects. Things' Dark Mode support, like the other apps on this list, entails turning the mode on automatically when macOS Mojave is in Dark Mode. But, you can also turn it on manually when Mojave is in Light Mode if that's how you choose to work.

$50 - Download Now

Day One

If you like to keep track of your life, travels, or other activities, you might want to consider journaling with Day One. All you have to do is open the app and start writing or uploading a photo in a clean, full-featured text editor. Use the available buttons to add ancillary details like weather, the music you were listening to, or your location. View your entries in a timeline, on a map, on a calendar, or in a photo view. The photo view, in particular, stands out with macOS Mojave's Dark Mode, and your photos will really pop, standing out against the dark background that the app uses.

Free - Download Now

Agenda

Agenda is a new take on the note-taking app, combining your notes with your calendar for a data-focused approach so everything gets put into a timeline for easy planning and documenting. Agenda makes it easy to search for your notes, and notes that you put "On the Agenda" now are even easier to find, showing up first in search and getting their own special section on the app's sidebar.

Free - Download Now

Timing

Timing is a powerful time tracking app that comes to us from outside the Mac App Store. It keeps track of what you do on your Mac, marking the time you spend on specific apps and on the web. You can get detailed breakdowns of how you spend your time, from how much time you're on your Mac to how much time you've spent in, say Tweetbot. Timing also supports automation for tasks like marking the time you spend on particular projects.

$29 - Download Now

iMazing

iMazing gives you more control over the contents of your iOS devices, letting you transfer and save your media, messages, files, and other data using your Mac and without having to use iTunes. You can also back up your device, create backup archives, and easily move data over to a new iPhone or iPad when the time comes. With Dark Mode support, iMazing looks right at home on macOS Mojave, and it's latest updates bring compatibility with iOS 12 and the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

$44.99 - Download Now

Pages

Of course, Apple got in on the Dark Mode fun with some of its own apps, including Pages. Create rich text documents, fliers, reports, and more with Apple's answer to Microsoft Word. In addition to Dark Mode, Pages for macOS now lets you record, edit, and play audio in a document as you're working on it. Also present if you have macOS Mojave and iOS 12 on your iPhone or iPad is Continuity Camera, which lets you activate a camera-based image and document scanner on your iOS device which then automatically sends the image it captures to the document on your Mac.

Free - Download Now

What have you found?

Do you have any favorite apps that support the new Dark Mode on macOS Mojave? Let us know in the comments.

Some of the more notable updates in macOS 10.14 Mojave came to the Finder. Users can now use Stacks to clean up their desktops, check out files in the new Gallery view in Finder windows, get a more detailed view of their files' metadata, take quick action on items, and even make edits to files without even opening them thanks to refinements in Quick Look.

Here's how all of the new stuff in Finder works on macOS Mojave.

• How to use Stacks in macOS Mojave
• How to use Gallery View in macOS Mojave
• How to view file metadata in macOS Mojave
• How to use Quick Actions in macOS Mojave
• How to use Quick Look in macOS Mojave

How to use Stacks in macOS Mojave

1. Click View in the Menu bar of your Mac when on your desktop with no apps in the foreground.
2. Click Use Stacks.

3. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on your desktop.
4. Hover your mouse cursor over Group Stacks By. Choose between Kind, Date Last Opened, Date Added, Date Modified, Date Created, and Tags.

How to use Gallery View in macOS Mojave

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock to open a new Finder window.
2. Navigate to the folder or section that you want to view.

3. Click the Gallery View button on the right-most side of the view selection buttons on the Finder window.

How to view file metadata in macOS Mojave

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock to open a new Finder window.
2. Choose the view you want to use.

3. Click on the file whose information you want to use.
4. Click View in the Menu bar.

5. Click Show Preview.
6. Click Show More in the Preview pane to view additional metadata.

How to use Quick Actions in macOS Mojave

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock to open a new Finder window.
2. Choose the view you want to use.

3. Click on the file or files on which you wish to perform a quick action.
4. Click View in the Menu bar if the Preview pane isn't already visible.

5. Click Show Preview.
6. Choose one of the actions available at the bottom of the Preview pane to perform it on the selected file or files.

7. Click More… to find any other actions that you might be able to take.

How to use Quick Look in macOS Mojave

Quick Look's updates in macOS Mojave make it more powerful than ever. Here's how you use it.

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock to open a new Finder window.
2. Choose the view you want to use.

3. Click on the file you want to use with Quick Look.
4. Tap the space bar on your keyboard to bring up Quick Look.
5. Click the action button to take an action on the file. What actions you can take and what the button looks like will depend on the file type.
   • Documents will have a Markup button. This allows you to draw, write, and highlight on images and documents, add text boxes to them, and even sign documents with a pre-saved signature. Images can be cropped and rotated as well.
   • In addition to Markup, images may also have a Rotate button. Press this to rotate your image to the left.
   • Audio and video files will have a Trim button. Press this, then grab the sliders on either end of the Quick Look preview to trim the length of an audio clip or video.

6. Tap the space bar again when you're done with Quick Look.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how the new Finder capabilities work in macOS Mojave, let us know in the comments.

We've been asking Apple for Dark Mode on macOS for years. Not just a dark Menu Bar and Dock, but dark everywhere. Finally, in macOS Mojave, we've got the full treatment with systemwide Dark Mode. Pretty. Here's how it works.

How to turn on Dark Mode in macOS Mojave

So everything goes dark?

Yes! Well... sort of. It's not like the screen dims or anything. The Menu Bar and Dock get a dark theme, but so does the Trash icon, all of the system panels, the Finder window, Notification Center, the Lock screen, the Mac App Store... you get what I mean.

App icons don't change (other than Dark Mode for the Trash icon).

All of Apple's built-in apps get the Dark Mode treatment. Safari, Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes (yes, even Notes), Maps, Photos (Photos looks so good in dark), Messages, FaceTime, iTunes, Apple Books, and even the newly added Apple News, Voice Memos, Stocks, and Home apps.

Even cooler, the new Mojave desktop image that's on by default will actually turn into a nighttime view of the desert when you switch to Dark Mode. It's a pretty cool little extra.

What about third-party apps?

Not by default. Developers have to design their app with its own dark theme. There are lots of really great apps that already support Dark Mode internally. It won't happen automatically, though. For those apps that have a dark theme, you'll have to enable it. For those that don't, you'll have to ask their creators to add it.

The good news is that there should be a lot more apps with Dark Mode coming to the Mac in our future. As noted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith, UIKit (that's the software that will let developers port iOS apps to the Mac in 2019) has support for Dark Mode. Which might also mean we'll see a systemwide Dark Mode for iOS next year.

How do I go dark?

When you first install macOS Mojave, you'll be asked if you want to use the Dark Light Mode, but if you can't make up your mind right then and there, you can do so in system settings whenever you like.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the Menu Bar.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on General.
4. Click on Dark Mode in the Appearances section.

What about accent colors?

What's your accent? Similar to the way you can change the highlight color systemwide on macOS, you can get a bunch of little colorful accents in Mojave. Accents replace the "Appearances" tool in your system settings, which lets you change the color of buttons, menu selections, and window accents.

With Mojave, you get to choose from blue, red, orange, yellow, green, purple, pink, and graphite. My favorite? Red. Looks so good against all the dark.

What about when I want to brighten things up again?

Don't worry, you're not stuck with Dark Mode forever. It's easy to switch back. Just follow the steps for switching appearances and you'll be back to Light Mode.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about how Dark Mode works in macOS Mojave? Put them in the comments and I'll help you out.

When Apple bought NeXT, it was in recognition that the Mac of that time was approaching the end of its technological relevancy. The operating system that had helped start a personal computing revolution had become old and outdated, and NeXTStep offered a new foundation and new beginning that Apple could build on for decades to come. And that became OS X, which became macOS.

But no stack reaches to infinity, and even though NeXStep powered everything from the Intel transition to the advent of the iPhone, it too has gotten old. So, what's Apple to do? Look around for a next NeXT? There isn't one. At least, nothing as practical and pragmatic that could power Apple for the next two decades.

So, instead of building an entirely new bridge as part of a multi-year transition, Apple is spending those same years replacing key components of its existing bridge. Pillar by pillar, cable by cable, section by section.

APFS, the Apple File System, is replacing HFS+. Metal, the Apple graphics layer, is replacing OpenGL and subsuming a host of other graphics and animation frameworks. The launch daemon. The windowing server. One after another, legacy code and technical debt is being rewritten and paid down. And with very few exceptions — cue discover daemon flashbacks — they're making everything that was old about the Mac new again.

Month by month, year by year, the changes are harder to see. But, in a few years, we're going to look up and back and notice that we're suddenly on a very new, very fast bridge, without ever having to go through a full rip-and-replace cycle. In the age of modern, mature operating systems, that's not just responsible — it's remarkable.

And it's continuing this year with macOS Mojave (10.14 if you're keeping track). It's got some crowd-pleasing new candy for us all to look at, and some features often considered to be pro but Apple is trying to make beneficial for everyone. Under the hood, though, Mojave is serving as a testbed for one the biggest evolutions ever to come to Apple's desktop operating system — support for what were originally mobile apps.

Yeah.

macOS Mojave Compatibility

macOS Mojave is a free update for:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or later)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or later)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or later)
• iMac (Late 2012 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics card)

macOS Mojave Automatic Updates

macOS Mojave includes a new Software Updates panel in System Preferences. If you use iOS, you'll immediately recognize the design language. It looks just like Software Update on iPhone and iPad.

Where, for the last little while, you've had to go to the Mac App Store to get your updates on, this now puts it in its own space, and in a far more intuitive and consistent space.

You can go there to check for updates or apply updates. You can also set it to update automatically, so you don't have to worry about checking or applying updates ever again.

If you're doing mission-critical work on your Mac, you probably want to leave it on manual so you can check feedback on updates before you apply your own. Otherwise, set it and forget it.

How to download and install the macOS Mojave

macOS Mojave Dark Mode

Sure, we act like it's all the nerdy, niche features that we love the most. But announce Dark Mode and we cheer like it's the second coming of emoji. Because we're human and we want to have fun and look good doing it. And that's what Dark Mode is really all about.

The goal of the new Dark Mode interface appearance is to let the cruft fade away and the content pop. Like, POP. Previously, this was the realm of pro apps and exclusive to creative pros. But, just as the definition of pro has widened over the years, so has the understanding of the value a proper Dark Mode brings.

It can reduce the type of glare that sometimes contributes towards eyestrain and the light pollution that can contribute to your being hit in the head by a pillow when working on the sofa or in bed. It can also help you focus, whether it's on content you're creating, editing, or consuming, or the tasks you're trying to get done.

It works because Dark Mode on Mojave is enveloping. Dark Menubar. Dark Dock. Dark apps and sidebars. Dark buttons and backgrounds. But it's also deliberately consistent with "Light Mode", so you can switch back and forth without it feeling disruptive.

Developers can even specify different colors and appearances for Dark vs. Light interfaces in asset catalogs. So, for example, a lighter sky blue banner for Light Mode but a navy blue banner for Dark Mode. That way, apps look cohesive no matter which mode you're in.

That the modes are so easy to switch between is especially great. While I love Dark Mode for some pro apps and late night use, I find it a tad overbearing and even gloomy if I sit in it all day. My eyes and my moon need light! This way, whenever I have the slightest urge to switch, I just switch and go on about my business.

I particularly like that aspect because, while I love Dark Mode for some pro apps and late night use, I find it a tad overbearing and even gloomy if I sit in it all day. I need my light! So, the ability to switch easily makes both modes better.

To coincide with Dark Mode, Apple has added new accent colors as well, and they work for both Dark and Light. Joining the venerable blue and graphite are red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and pink. It might seem like a small thing, but being able to highlight your interfaces with your favorite colors doesn't just make controls pop, it makes you pop.

Some of what Apple has done with Dark Mode is obvious: When you click a button, instead of it getting darker, it gets brighter. Some is not so obvious: The effect that indicates buttons are grouped together, instead of looking recessed, looks backlit.

Windows, on the other hand, to maintain a consistent depth effect, have drop shadows in Dark Mode just like they do in Light. (Though Dark Mode gets a rim stroke to go along with a stronger rim shader to keep it looking nice and crisp.)

Also, Dark Mode isn't just dark-as-in-desaturated. In order to prevent clashes, the system samples what's behind a window, including the system wallpaper. Then, it subtly tints the window — and controls because of their slight translucency — based on the average colors, and mixes that with a base gray, so that the color temperature of the window matches the rest of the environment and your wallpaper. It's a dynamic process that updates as you move windows around, so all the elements on your screen always feel part of a cohesive whole.

(If you hate the idea of tinting, you can pick the graphite accent "color", which forces no tinting at all.)

Vibrancy, which is what Apple calls the bright, saturation boosted, translucent effect applied to things like app sidebars, is also optimized in Dark Mode to maintain legibility. Basically, gray background elements take the place of white so that the contrast stays high, even in lower opacity levels.

Glyphs, or the monochrome icons used throughout interfaces, have also been adjusted so that they maintain weight legibility on dark backgrounds. Often, they've been redrawn to replace outlines with solid forms and details with knockouts.

It all results in a Dark Mode that's rich and polished — something that Smart Invert Colors on iOS, for example, doesn't really achieve.

For end users, the interface is the app. It's what we spend all our time staring at and/or interacting with. Change some plumbing deep in the foundations of an app, and maybe some of us will notice. Change the appearance, and most of us can't miss it.

That's why how interface looks is so incredibly important, especially when it's at the system level. Get it right and we'll love you. Get it wrong and we'll come for you.

macOS Mojave got Dark Mode right. It's simple but sophisticated, fresh and even a little futuristic.

macOS Mojave Desktop & Stacks

To showcase both the new Dark Mode and the established Light Mode, Apple has also added Dynamic Desktops to Mojave. Well, one Dynamic Desktop at least so far. It's an image of the Mojave Desert, of course, but it slowly changes from morning to afternoon to night as the sun rises and sets.

The effect works so well, I hope Apple adds more Dynamic Wallpapers to the mix. Actually, I hope Apple lets designers and developers make third-party dynamic wallpapers — for both macOS and iOS. If we can have sticker apps, why can't we have wallpaper apps, right?

It just makes the whole system feel so much more fluid and alive.

To make sure you can see that system, Apple is also adding Desktop Stacks.

Confession: I'm one of those people who dumps almost everything onto the desktop and then, when it feels too cluttered, drags it all into Downloads, and leaves it buried there until system cleaning or failure requires or ordains its removal. (I do snap them into an orderly grid — I'm not a chaos monster.)

So, for me, the idea of something that automagically creates some kind of balance between the desktop dump and folder-em-and-forget-em holds a lot of appeal.

Just hit Finder > View > Use Stacks and all your files race into neat little piles. By default, they're sorted by type. You can change that to date added, modified, created, or last opened, or have them stacked by tag instead.

Once you have stacks turned on, any new file you fling at the desktop will curve instead into a stack as though it's caught in a gravity well. Try as you might — and it's fun to try! — you just won't be able to mess up your desktop again.

When you want to see what's in a stack, place the mouse pointer over it and then scrub through with a two finger swipe or click to Expose the entire contents.

That it's broadly consistent with how stacks have worked in the Dock for years is a huge plus. There's nothing better than when expected behavior meets expectations.

When I first started using Stacks in the beta, I worried if having some order to the chaos just meant I'd escalate the chaos — dump even more stuff on my desktop. The answer turned out to be yes. But since I don't see it, I don't really care. And that's a win.

macOS Mojave Finder

Finder has a new Gallery View that feels like Cover Flow finally graduated college and got a job. It's big, it's bold, but it's also serious. You get to see the current document, image, or video center stage, while the rest of your files sit in the front row, waiting for their turn.

I often bounce between Finder modes trying to get the best combination of visibility, density, and performance — pick 2, I know! — but Gallery really does strike a good balance.

At first, I was frustrated that when I flipped from List view to Gallery, the on-deck wouldn't keep the same sorting order. For example, if I had List sorted by date added, and I flipped to Gallery, the on-deck would be sorted by name. I tried setting the Finder sort option, and it didn't help. Eventually, after clicking everything, I figured out I had to click on the on-deck itself and choose the specific sort order there. I'd prefer the sort order stay with last selected, universally, but I can see how others would want hard sorts per state. You may not be able to make everyone happy here, but making how it works more apparent would benefit everyone.

There's a new full metadata preview panel, built right in. It's most valuable with photos, where you can see all the EXIF data you want, any time you want.

The new quick actions panel is much the same. You can rotate, crop, or annotate an image, trim audio and video, build PDFs, and even create custom automations. It's contextual, so the exact options you get depend on the type of file(s) you've selected. But, it means you can do a bunch of common tasks, right from the Finder, without having to open a single app. And since you can multi-select, the same applies to simple batch jobs as well, like rotating a bunch of images all at once.

You can create your own custom actions in Automator and assign them to Quick Actions. That way, any routine task you perform like file conversion or watermarking is always available at a click.

(You can't create Siri Shortcuts — the brand new voice activated actions and automations debuting this year with iOS 12. When it comes to new features that aren't cross-platform dependent, the primacy of iOS means the Mac typically gets them a year or several later — see News, Voice Memos, Stocks, and Home, below.)

Quick Actions work in Quick Look as well. Introduced in OS X Leopard back in 2017, Quick Look lets you tap the space bar to preview a wide range of file types. Now, you can act on them at the same time.

It may not seem like a big difference, but there's something about freeing a file from the finder, especially an image, video, or PDF, and seeing it on its own, that makes it not just bigger but more graspable. And that makes quick actions in Quick Look even more useful.

macOS Mojave Screenshots

Instant Markup, especially for screenshots, was one of the biggest sleeper hits of iOS 11, released last year. This year, it comes to macOS Mojave, and in a very Mac-like way.

The original screenshot keyboard shortcuts are still there but they're joined now by a new one: Shift-Command-5. It brings up a toolbar with options to capture the entire screen, capture a window, capture a selection, record the entire window, and record a selection.

Previously, there were no universal keyboard shortcuts for screen recording. You had to launch QuickTime first (or your favorite third-party app) and then start a screen recording. So, having screen recording just a few keystrokes and clicks away is a terrific increase in convenience.

With a catch: Screen recording from the toolbar is video only. If you want to capture audio as well, you have to run back to QuickTime or another app.

Through the Options dropdown, you can choose to have your screenshots or screen recordings saved to the Desktop or to your Documents folder, sent to Messages or Mail, opened in Preview, or stored in the Clipboard for easy pasting into whichever app you like.

But this is like iOS 11, remember? So, by default, your screenshots and recordings will also float at the bottom right of your screen so you can immediately mark them up or share them. And, because the Mac is the Mac, you can also drag and drop the floating screenshot into any app you like.

You can also simply swipe it away to save it to your default location.

I sometimes find the floating screenshots, first on iOS, now on macOS as well, to be annoying. Like something stuck to my screen obscuring what's behind them until I swat them away. Other times, I find them indispensable to my sharing-based workflows.

Since macOS can't read minds — yet! — I'll settle for the screens being there when I need them.

macOS Mojave Continuity Camera

If you asked me what I most wanted to see in terms of Continuity in macOS Mojave, I would have told you … Handoff for media so I could get up, walk away, and have my music and movies seamlessly switch to my iPhone or iPad. But then, if you'd shown me Continuity Camera, I would have told you … cool, but where in the blue blazes is Handoff for media?

Continuity was introduced in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite back in 2014 and, along with the simultaneously released Extensibility, helped set the stage for the modern multi-device, cross-app ecosystem.

Basically, it let you transfer everything from activity state within apps to cellular networking and telephony between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, quickly and securely, based on your Apple ID and your proximity.

Handoff let you start typing out a message on your iPhone, for example, but immediately finish it up on your Mac, without you having to save, open, or scroll, at all. Continuity Clipboard, introduced later, let you copy something on one device and paste it on another in a way that still feels like magic.

Continuity Camera is the latest addition to the lineup and lets you take pictures with the better, more mobile camera on your iPhone but have them show up immediately on your Mac.

Sure, Continuity has let you AirDrop photos from iPhone to Mac for years, but this is different. This isn't initiating photos from your iPhone. It's initiating them from your Mac.

That may not sound like a big deal. You can take a photo with the FaceTime camera on your Mac, right? Ugh. That's not a great camera and, on the 12-inch MacBook, it's downright terrible.

Well, you can always just pick up your iPhone and take a photo, right? Sure, but not as conveniently and not with as few steps.

Humans aren't great at switching contexts. We're too prone to distraction. And even when we maintain focus, switching back and forth still takes time and introduces complexity.

With Continuity Camera, you're on your Mac, you select Continuity Camera from the contextual menu, your iPhone lights up, you take the shot, you tap to use it, it goes straight to your Mac, and you just keep on working. No AirDrop or Photo sync and fetch needed.

It's particularly useful for when you want to scan documents onto your Mac. Now, I'm just waiting for someone to figure out how I can use it to pull iOS screenshots directly into articles I'm working on in our CMS on the Mac.

That'd be so cool it would almost make me forget about the glaring lack of Handoff for media apps. But not really.

macOS Mojave News, Stocks, Voice Memos & Home

Stocks was part of iOS 1 (iPhone OS 1). Voice Memos was part of iOS 3 (iPhone OS 3). News and Home, iOS 10. With Mojave, all of them are finally coming to the Mac.

That they are coming is good. Amazing, actually. How they're coming, for now, is a hot mess. But, eventually, it could be one of the best things to ever happen to the Mac.

News on Mac is part of what's needed to make the service truly an OS-level service. For some reason, Apple is struggling with News in a way it never did with Music or Photos. Those all launched on both iOS and Mac at the same time (throw in tvOS and watchOS as well), and in hundreds of countries all at once.

News only launched on iOS and only in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. And it's stayed stuck that way ever since. Which is brutal for a service that feels every bit as deserving of true system-wide, cross-platform, international integration as News.

Mac is a small step forward. As UIKit apps go, it's the best done. You can even two-finger swipe between stories. (You can also space bar to page down, and use the up and down arrow to scroll — but the left and right arrows don't navigate between stories the way the gestures do.)

But Apple needs to do more to make News a proper, international service. Otherwise, none of this matters, not to most of the world at least. And that's a damn shame.

Stocks is... stocks with a sidebar and business news. While News opens stories in the News app Stocks, at least for me, pushes everything into Safari. That could be a result of me trying to use it in Canada, or it could be working as designed. Neither of those two possibilities are good.

Voice Memos is nice to have on Mac. You could always fire up QuickTime or an audio editing app and record but basic voice recording was never their focus and it showed. You could and can still get a third party voice recorder, often with better and more convenient features, but there's something to be said for having a built-in baseline that's ready and waiting even before you think you might need it.

The best part, though, is that Voice Memos syncs over iCloud now, so all your recordings are always available on all your Apple devices. While moving them from iOS to macOS has gotten considerably less painful over the years, nothing beats not having to manually move them at all. (Now we just need Continuity Microphone, right?)

Home is also on Mac now, and I'm as happy to have it as I am frustrated with how long it took and how it turned out. When we got Siri on Mac we didn't get HomeKit support to go with it. When we got Hey, Siri on the 2018 MacBook Pro, we still didn't have HomeKit on Mac except in beta.

That meant that, while I'm all-in on HomeKit, for the last few years, I've had to reach for an iPad or iPhone and hold down the Power button to control it — yes, like an animal.

Mojave fixes most of that. There's HomeKit support now and a Home app to go with it. But the app is kind of awkward. The main page works ok. You can't use the space bar or arrow keys to scroll, though.

The Rooms page is a little weird. You can two-finger swipe between rooms, if you persist long enough to get past the super-aggressive bounce-back physics and animation. It gets glitchy again all the time, though. (I thought it simply didn't work at first but after several attempts managed to get it "unstuck" like the rings of Nidavellir.) No arrow key support here either, alas.

There is a weird button you can also click to get a weird drop-down for the rooms. That makes switching much more discoverable. Groups and zones remain as undiscoverable as they do on iOS. You have to dig into the room and then the accessory settings to even begin to find that stuff. Which is a shame, because it's great.

I forgive most of those UI sins because the Automation Page is super clean and usable. It's basically the iPad page, but it's solid.

I know I sound like the parent yelling about the messy room just as the kids start cleaning it up, but Mac customers are people too and addressing longstanding gaps in functionality is one thing — addressing the issues that cause longstanding gaps in functionality is another, far more important thing.

Apple needs to do both and, starting with Mojave, it is. Sure, it's awkward and painful right now, but I'm hoping that's just growing pains.

All of these apps, News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home look like the iPad versions wrapped in Mac-specific interface elements and mouse and pointer support. And that's exactly what they are. Some for better. Some, so far, for worse.

When Apple first began planning the App Store for iPhone, there was some internal debate over whether the company should use the existing Mac frameworks of AppKit or the increasingly popular web frameworks of WebKit.

Apple ultimate decided it needed to do something new and created UIKit.

For the last decade, AppKit has advanced considerably. But, thanks to the popularity of iPhone and the iOS App Store, UIKit has exploded.

Because of everything Apple's done over the years with AutoLayout, size classes, and app bundles, making iPad versions of iPhone apps has been relatively easy. tvOS versions, even.

Not so with the Mac. If a developer of a popular iOS app wanted to bring it to the Mac, large parts of it had to be ported from UIKit to AppKit. Even if the developer was Apple.

That's why many developers of popular iOS apps didn't bother. Even Apple.

In many cases, it wasn't because they didn't want to. They simply lacked the resources necessary to move the apps over given how much work they felt they still had to do to maintain their success on iOS. Yes, still including Apple.

The good thing about problems Apple has to solve for itself is that it typically solves them for developers as well. And they have, even if the solution has been obvious to some and terrifying to others for years:

UIKit on the Mac.

Apple is positioning it as another option for developers, alongside AppKit, WebKit, and the graphics engines often used by games and some design apps. (And, yeah, the horrible Electron — localized Chrome tab — apps that are the new Adobe Air or Java apps.)

It's part of a multi-year project that's being worked on by many teams within Apple, and should result in pushing not just Mac Apps but all Apple apps forward.

Because iOS and macOS share common foundations, sliding UIKit apps in alongside AppKit apps, it's not like starting from scratch. But, because iOS and macOS share very different user interface paradigms, a lot of work still has to be done.

Apple is going to make that easier by moving key UIKit frameworks to the Mac, and adapting them for trackpad/mouse and pointer control, Mac interface conversions like the window-controlling traffic lights, scroll bars and resizing, and the Mac versions of copy and paste and drag and drop.

That where News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home fit back into this. Apple is using them to dog-food the first phase of this project.

They're all iPad apps that have been brought to the Mac with "very few code changes", according to Apple. To be clear. They need more changes but mostly in interface — in figuring out the new language and how to best translate into it.

But even now, in alpha form, they're way better and more resource efficient than Electron apps — hi, Slack! — and feel better than progressive web apps, which still feels like something being pushed on the market to serve program manager and not engineering or customer needs.

They're not great Mac apps yet. Maybe that'll change over the course of the year. Or maybe what we consider to be traditional Mac feel will change, just as it did when we transitioned from Classic to Carbon to Cocoa. And there'll be just as much grumbling and hot-taking along the way, I'm sure.

The Mac has to keep evolving, though, and Mac apps along with it. It's been doing it for going on two decades already and it'll keep on doing it, hopefully for many more.

Again, it's going to take a couple of years to get through it but the Mac app ecosystem should end up all the more vibrant because of it.

Phase II starts in 2018 when Developers are going to get a chance to start working with it.

macOS Mojave Mac App Store

I love the Mac App Store. It makes it incredibly easy to download and re-download apps to any Mac I'm using or reviewing, without having to worry about malware, adware, or bloatware.

Historically, though, it's had a few problems.

First, Apple essentially created it and then abandoned it. Unlike the iOS App Store, which saw steady iteration since launch, the Mac App Store was untouched going all the way back to the era of the Big Cats.

Second, Mac apps are different than iOS apps, and not all Mac apps are allowed into the Mac App Store, including and especially ones that don't fit into Apple's sandboxed security model. That meant you still had to go outside the MAS to get some of your apps, sabotaging the convenience.

With Mojave, Apple is addressing quite a bit of both of those problems.

It starts with a complete redesign. It's in the same spirit of last year's iOS App Store redesign but not the exact same style.

Instead of a few, generic tabs along the bottom, it has categories down the side. The first is Discover, which serves the same purpose as the Today tab on iOS.

For consistency's sake, I'd have preferred it be called Today, but there simply isn't enough content going through the Mac App Store as there is the iOS App Store, and so the pace will be weekly, not daily. (And calling it "This Week" would be … awkward.)

Discover is filled with the same great editorial curation, including spotlights, interviews, lists, and tips and tricks, and brilliant graphic design as Today, though. That's what matters. Also, top charts live here now, if those are still your jam.

The other tabs are Create, Work, Play, Develop, Categories (for everything else), and Updates.

Product pages are more like iOS now. There are previews now, which give a much better impression of an app than stills. You can see if apps have been chosen by the editorial team, and ratings and reviews are now easier to see and get to. (And Mac developers are getting the same Ratings & Reviews API that iOS enjoys, so they can respectfully ask for your feedback in their apps.)

As far as I can tell, there's still no way to gift apps from the Mac App Store, which is really frustrating since I've been waiting years to give away my favorite Mac apps. So there's still work here to be done. But, progress!

Speaking of which, there are also some changes going on under the hood with how sandboxing handles root requests, for example, which will allow apps like BBEdit and Transmit back into the Mac App Store. There's still more that needs to happen here, which is why Coda isn't returning yet, but hopefully, it's just the beginning of making sandboxing really work for most apps.

Still, it's a huge leap forward already and the new MAS looks great. Now, all Apple needs is a ton more Mac apps to fill it.

Oh, wait … see above!

macOS Mojave Security & Privacy

Apple believes your personal, private data should remain personal and private to you. Not because you're doing anything wrong or you have anything to hide, but because it's yours and no company has any right just to take it, even if the method of taking it is wrapped up in "free" services.

Some would argue it's easy for Apple to say because its business doesn't depend on data exploitation, or that services are a historical weakness of the company, which makes them a clever strategic target.

Whatever. As a customer, I'm happy to have the option not to have to pay for everything with invaluable personal data that I can never take back.

To help protect privacy in macOS Mojave, Apple is now requiring apps, including its own, to ask explicit permission to use the camera or microphone. (Apps have had to do this on iOS for a while, but Mac is doing some much-needed catch-up here now.)

Apple is also providing the same protection to the Mail database, Messages history, Safari data, Time Machine and iTunes device backups, frequent locations and routines, and system cookies.

Now, this has led to some concern that macOS Mojave is turning into Windows Vista, specifically, these new permission panels are Apple's equivalent to Microsoft's Universal Access Controls (UAC) nightmare of a generation past.

I'm sensitive to that because as much as you want to give users control you don't want to burden them. At best, it's annoying. At worst, it causes the kind of rush-to-click dialog fatigue that's antithetical to the very security it's meant to improve.

Personally, I haven't found the new requestors to be overwhelming. I may be used to most of them from iOS, or I may not do the same sorts of tasks that others are doing who hit into it more frequently, but they make sense to me.

I have found the Finder permission requester to be opaque and potentially confusing. And, at least during the beta, it popped up in some unusual and frustrating places.

Overall, I think the process is better and expect it'll be fine-tuned over time.

Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which debuted last year, used machine learning to try and prevent cross-site tracking. Now, it can also block the share, like, and comment buttons that social networks like Facebook and Twitter use to track you across the web.

Yes, Apple's "shutting them down."

ITP will also try to prevent "fingerprinting" — where companies try to track you based on the configuration of your device — by presenting a simplified, much harder to track configuration. It also removes support for legacy plugins that could be used for tracking.

Like with iOS, Apple is beefing up iCloud Keychain's ability to generate new, strong, unique passwords. Because the Mac is a far more open system than iOS, Apple is only offering this inside Safari on the Mac for now (and not inside apps as well, like on iOS.) But, it syncs with all your devices and still offers such good basic password management that there's no excuse not to start taking better care of your personal security.

To wit, the system will also flag re-used passwords and make it as easy as possible for you to replace them with a new, unique, strong password. To help make getting to them easier, Apple has also added "Hey Siri, show me my passwords" so you can go straight to your account list. You can even ask for specific passwords, for example, "Hey, Siri, show me my Amazon password".

If your Mac is setup with SMS relay, it can also offer to AutoFill any SMS security tokens sent your way (if you have a TouchBar, SMS codes will also show up right there for you to tap and enter.)

macOS Mojave Accessibility

Dark Mode is going to be great for anyone suffering from light sensitivity. (Though inverting colors on the Light Mode is still the best thing to do if you want everything, including content backgrounds, to be darkened.) It also supports reduced transparency and increased contrast for anyone who wants greater legibility.

The Accessibility Keyboard has been improved with support for adding custom toolbars, custom resizing for any aspect ratio, better typing suggestions, automatic spacing after punctuation marks, and automatic capitalization for the first word in a new sentence (think iOS keyboard).

You can configure accessibility options for the Login Window right in System Preferences > Users & Groups, and there's a new preference for Platform Switching using Switch Control.

Once again, kudos to Apple for not only making sure Accessibility is a consideration for every new product, but for every update to existing products.

macOS Mojave Miscellany

Mail now has a dedicated Emoji button, because emoji! Also, suggested mailboxes help prompt you to clean out new messages from your inbox based on how you sorted previous messages.

Safari finally has Favicon support, after choosing not to implement the old, low-res, .ico files of the past and them never getting back on track until now. This should have been in the lede. I know. Bad Rene.

In addition to HomeKit support for all your connected accessories, Siri in macOS Mojave can play Find my iPhone alerts, answer questions about celebrities, food, and motorsports, and search for your photo memories and even get your passwords for you. I've complained several times here about how long it sometimes takes new iOS features to come to the Mac, so it's great to see basic Siri functionality staying in parity here.

Core ML 2 is 20% faster for on-device processing, thanks to batch predictions. And model sizes can be reduced up to 75% thanks to quantization.

Core ML is getting Create ML, which makes building machine learning models easier and faster, even for non-experts. It supports VIsion and Computer Learning, and can work locally on your Mac so you don't need a dedicated server.

New system languages in Mojave include English (UK), English (Australia), French (Canada), and Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong). There are also new dictionaries for Arabic and English, Hindi and English, and Hebrew and English, and a new English thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms.

China-specific features include Traditional Chinese names for apps and features, restaurant names in Simplified Chinese, Chinese holidays for Siri, auto-punctuation for Simplified Chinese in Dictation, the word-of-the-day screen saver has been localized to both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Maps will now show the most popular dishes at restaurants for your Hak Jiu Gai Mein dining pleasure!

Japan-specific features include improved keyboard input. Specifically, Apple's made it easier to integrate English and Roman-character words into your typing, with spelling support.

India-features include the above-mentioned dictionary, local festivals in Calendar and Siri, high-quality Hindi dictation, and improved Hindi terminology.

macOS Mojave Conclusion

This year, as I watched the WWDC keynote and, as all the new iOS features flashed past, I found myself saying "finally… finally…. FINALLY!" a lot. iOS is over a decade old but it still feels like there's so many functionality gaps left to fill.

It's not that the Mac doesn't have those. As much as iOS is still catching up to some of the core computing functionality macOS has had since the very beginning, iOS is evolving so fast the Mac often gets left behind.

That's one of the things Apple is addressing with Mojave, including adding much-needed support for HomeKit.

The other thing Apple is doing is continuing the Mac's years-long march into the future. And that's non-trvial for an operating system fast approaching two decades, with NeXT-derived architecture beneath it that's older still, never mind the primordial UNIX foundations underlying all of it.

There's nothing wrong with being old, of course. Of being tried, tested, and proven true. But nothing of the past can ever truly anticipate all the needs of the future. So, it's the job of the present to keep evolving, maintaining the strength of what still works but replacing what'll carry us no further.

It's way smarter and less disruptive than waiting and hoping you can one day rip it all down and replace it with something new.

It still causes some pain: A lot of what people have been complaining about over the last few years hasn't been the result of Apple laying on new features but replacing core parts of the foundation.

Previously, it's been about the system itself. Now, for the next couple of years, it's going to be about the apps that run on it as well.

Yeah, we still need the new Mac Pro and an answer about the Mac mini and MacBook Air (perhaps we'll see those sooner rather than later). But when you look at the sheer scope of work Apple continues to pour into macOS year after year, occasional stumbles and all, it's impossible to doubt the company's commitment to and love for the Mac.

You need look no further than macOS Mojave.

Apple is giving its Mac operating system another boost this year. It may not be as major as last year's, but there are still a few features you don't want to go without. macOS mojave is compatible with Macs from late 2012 on. If you're using an older Mac, it may be time for an upgrade.

Will macOS Mojave work on my Mac?

The following devices support macOS Mojave:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer) Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer) iMac (Late 2012 or newer) iMac Pro (2017) Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid 2010 and mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU)

When can I get macOS Mojave?

The macOS Mojavepublic release is available September 24.

At WWDC 2018, Apple announced the next big update to macOS, which supports the Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. At its September iPhone event, the company revealed the launch date of macOS Mojave: September 24. There are plenty of new features coming our way and here's where you'll find out all about them.

What's new with macOS Mojave?

Here's where you find out updated news on macOS 10.14, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly.

At its September iPhone event, the company revealed the launch date of macOS Mojave: September 24. You'll be able to get your hands on all the fun new features as soon as it ships later this month!

Apple will soon be discontinuing Back to My Mac, a feature of macOS that allowed users to connect to from one Mac to another, letting them share screens or transfer files between the two machines. As of macOS Mojave, Back to My Mac will no longer be a part of the operating system.

This news comes from an Apple support document published earlier this month:

Apple recommends that users transition from using Back to My Mac to using iCloud Drive for moving and storing files, turning on screen sharing on their Macs, and getting Apple Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store.

Apple just announced macOS 10.14 with a new name, dozens of new features, and a whole lot more. Here's where you'll find out everything about it!

Jump to the new features in macOS Mojave

What, why, when, and how to get macOS Mojave

macOS Mojave is Apple's newest version of the desktop and laptop operating system for Mac computers. Every year, Apple comes up with a new name for its operating system and this year is no different. This year's update has lots of big features, including a systemwide dark mode, Mac App Store redesign, and better Privacy and Security options. Below are more details about everything new coming in macOS Mojave.

Well, it looks like the team that names macOS every year decided to come down from the mountain and head to the desert - hence, Mojave, which is a desert

macOS 10.14 is available as a beta for developers right now. If you're not a developer you'll be able to download it for free this fall.

If you plan on downloading the developer beta, be smart about it: If you only have a single Mac, make sure you create a partition to run beta software or install on a secondary Mac you don't rely on for everyday use.

The final version — the public version that is no longer in beta — will be available this fall as a free update in the Mac App Store.

Apple makes it really easy to upgrade to new versions of its operating system across all devices. If you're unsure how to get the latest software upgrade, we have you covered with a comprehensive guide.

How to upgrade your Mac software

My Mac is old, can I upgrade to macOS Mojave?

The latest Mac operating system will run on the following devices:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid 2010 and mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU)

What about my 32-bit apps? Will Mojave support them?

They will! But don't get too excited. Apple noted in its presentation about Mojave that it is the last macOS to support 32-bit apps and games. If you want your favorite app to continue to work on your Mac past 2019, you'd better ask them to update their apps to 64-bit.

Is this a free upgrade?

That's right! Apple stopped charging for software upgrades quite a few years back. macOS Mojave is a free update for all iMac, Mac mini, and Mac laptop computers that are compatible.

OK, so what are the new features coming to macOS Mojave?

There are dozens of new features coming to macOS 10.14. Some are under the hood and you might not even notice (except for the faster, smoother performance. Here's a list of the biggest features coming soon.

That's right! Apple finally gave us a full, system-wide Dark Mode for Mac, not just for the Menu bar, but for built-in apps, and the Mac App Store!

How Dark Mode works in macOS Mojave

Speaking of which, Apple also announced that the Mac App Store is getting a complete overhaul. It's going to get all the great content that the App Store on iPhone and iPad has, like a Discovery tab with editorials about great Mac apps, personal stories from industry professionals that use Mac apps, and a list of the most popular apps you can get right now.

There's also going to be a dedicated Rating and Reviews center where you can read reviews, write your own reviews, and see responses from developers.

The all-new Mac App Store: Everything you need to know!

You'll be able to control permissions for more apps, like the Camera and Microphone, in addition to things you already control, like locations, reminders, contacts, and more.

Cookie tracking - Safari will "shut down" likes and comment stuff so you can decide whether to allow websites to track you after you react.

Fingerprinting - Just like you can be identified by a fingerprint, your device can be identified by a unique set of configuration. Like fonts, plug-ins, and configurations. People can track you based on these assets. Mojave will only show built-in fonts, basic system configs, and hides plug-ins so websites can't track you.

What's new in Apple's Privacy Settings?

That's right, the Home app is finally coming to macOS. It's going to have all the same great features as the iOS app, but it's on the Mac!

Home app: What's changed in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave

You're correct! Once you've got the Home app on your Mac all set up and ready to go, you can ask Siri to turn on the lights, lock the doors, and a whole lot more.

Yup. The News app is coming to Mac with Mojave. It's all the same great features coming to the (also updated) News app in iOS 12, but dedicated on your Mac.

In addition, the Stocks app is coming to Mac. The Stocks app is also getting a major update with integration of the News app, customized with business and financial news.

What's new in the News app for iOS 12 and macOS?

Desktop Stacks lets you stack your desktop icons automatically into stacks by kind, date, or tab. You can click on the stack to see whats in it. Double-click on an icon to open it. Drag an item to your desktop and it'll automatically jump into the stack.

How to use Desktop Stacks in macOS Mojave

A new Gallery View has a big preview up top and thumbnails across the bottom. With images, you can get new details in the sidebar which supports full metadata.

New Quick Actions lets you rotate, markup, or access more things you can do in Preview. Quick Action area is contextual. You can create a new PDF by grabbing multiple single PDF files and images. Run custom Automator actions.

Quick Look integrated with Markup. - When you Quick Look at a PDF you can access markup without having to fully open the document in Preview. Rotate crop images, crop images all in Quick Look.

How Finder works in macOS Mojave

You can double-click on a screenshot to automatically jump into Markup and access different tools right in the screenshot.

There's going to be screen capture for video, which will allow you to grab a screenshot of a video. You'll also be able to drag screenshots (and videos) into a new document.

How to take screenshots and record your screen in macOS Mojave

You'll be able to select an object in an image editing app. Then, take a photo on your iPhone. The image will appear directly in the document you have open on your Mac.

The same works for scanning documents. Your Camera scans the document and the scan goes immediately into the program you're working in on your Mac.

How continuity camera works in macOS Mojave and iOS 12

Apple is bringing Voice Memos to Mac in Mojave. It's just like Voice Memos on iPhone and iPad, but on Mac! You can drag your voice memo files directly into apps like Garage Band.

Voice Memos in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave

Stocks on Mac

Apple is also porting the Stocks app to Mac in Mojave. In iOS 12, Stocks gets a really nice update with an integrated business and finance news feature. This same content will appear in the Mac version.

Stocks app in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave: Everything you need to know!

FaceTime gets group calls, Messages integration, filters, and more.

What's new in FaceTime for iOS 12 and macOS Mojave

Though it was casually mentioned at the very end of Apple's news about Mojave, it's true. APFS is going to support Fusion drives in Mojave.

Apple File System (APFS): What you need to know

Apple clarified to us at WWDC that there is not going to be a merger of iOS and macOS. However, the team is working on a framework that will make it much, much easier for developers to port their iOS apps to Mac. In fact, the "sneak peek" available in macOS Mojave is that the News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home apps are all coming to Mac using the framework.

This new features will be available to developers sometime in 2019.

What you need to know about Apple's universal framework API

And a whole lot more!

Apple mentioned a few more major features coming in macOS Mojave, like CoreML 2 and CreateML, plus some smaller features weren't mentioned, but we're going to see this fall. We'll be updating this post as we learn more.

If you have any questions, please put them in the comments section and we'll try to answer them as best we can, as we learn more about macOS 10.14.

If you're a baseball fan, you know that third base is known as the hot corner--because of how a sizzling ground ball can make a subpar third baseman look like he's playing dodgeball rather than baseball.

Not to be outdone, the Mac has four hot corners, one in--surprise!--each corner of the screen. You can use these hot corners to accomplish tasks with the flick of a finger that might otherwise require a more precise clicking of a dock icon or burrowing through a couple of levels of system preferences.

How to set up a hot corner to trigger the screen saver

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Click Desktop and Screen Saver.

3. Click the Screen Saver tab.
4. Click Hot Corners....

5. In the sheet that appears, click any of the pop-up menus and choose Start Screen Saver.

Now when you move the pointer to the corner you've chosen—it's quick and easy to do—your screen saver of choice will begin. This is pretty handy, because it can help prevent screen burn-in.

As you can tell from the hot corners pop-up menu, you can do more than just enable the screen saver with a hot corner. In fact, you can even set the same action in more than one hot corner. So if you want to enable the screen saver when you move the pointer to any of the four hot corners, go ahead and knock yourself out.

How to require a password to unlock your screen saver

If you set your security system preference to require a password to unlock the screen saver, you can turn on the screen saver when you leave your Mac knowing that its contents are protected from someone else's wandering eyes. Here's how:

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Click Security and Privacy.

3. Click the General tab.
4. Check the box to Require password and set a time from the pop-up menu.

A trick up its sleeve

Now picture this. You're trying to click a menu or hit an icon near the far reaches of one of the corners of the screen and your usual precision fails you. You accidentally touch a hot corner with the pointer. Suddenly, the screen saver starts and requires your attention to unlock it and get back to work.

Fortunately, there's a hidden feature of hot corners that solves this common problem.

While opening one of the hot corners pop-up menus, hold down the Command, Option, Control, or Shift key (or even more than one of these four keys) to require that key(s)—in addition to moving the pointer to that corner—to trigger the screen saver. The pop-up menu will change to reflect the additional key you've selected.

And now—rather than just a rapid mouse movement—it will take the more deliberate action of pressing a key on the keyboard to activate the screen saver.

We all like it hot

Which hot corner actions have you found most beneficial? Let us know in the comments below.

Stocks was part of iOS 1 (iPhone OS 1). Voice Memos was part of iOS 3 (iPhone OS 3). News and Home, iOS 10. With Mojave, all of them are finally coming to the Mac. That they're finally coming is good. That it took so long is terrible.

I know I sound like the parent yelling about the messy room just as the kids start cleaning it up, but Mac customers are people too and addressing longstanding gaps in functionality is one thing — addressing the issues that cause longstanding gaps in functionality is another, far more important thing.

Apple needs to do both and, starting with Mojave, it is.

Back (and forward) to the Mac

News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home all kinda look like the iPad versions wrapped in Mac-specific interface elements and mouse and pointer support. And that's exactly what they are.

When Apple first began planning the App Store for iPhone, there was some internal debate over whether the company should use the existing Mac frameworks of AppKit or the increasingly popular web frameworks of WebKit.

Apple ultimate decided it needed to do something new and created UIKit.

For the last decade, AppKit has advanced considerably. But, thanks to the popularity of iPhone and the iOS App Store, UIKit has exploded.

Because of everything Apple's done over the years with AutoLayout, size classes, and app bundles, making iPad versions of iPhone apps has been relatively easy. tvOS versions, even.

Not so with the Mac. If a developer of a popular iOS app wanted to bring it to the Mac, large parts of it had to be ported from UIKit to AppKit. Even if the developer was Apple.

That's why many developers of popular iOS apps didn't bother. Even Apple.

In many cases, it wasn't because they didn't want to. They simply lacked the resources necessary to move the apps over given how much work they felt they still had to do to maintain their success on iOS. Yes, still including Apple.

The good thing about problems Apple has to solve for itself is that it typically solves them for developers as well. And they have, even if the solution has been obvious to some and terrifying to others for years:

UIKit on the Mac.

From Classic to Carbon to Cocoa to... UIKit

Apple is positioning UIKit as another option for developers, alongside AppKit, WebKit, and the graphics engines often used by games and some design apps. (And, yeah, the horrible Electron — localized Chrome tab — apps that are the new Adobe Air or Java apps.)

It's part of a multi-year project that's being worked on by many teams within Apple, and should result in pushing not just Mac Apps but all Apple apps forward.

Because iOS and macOS share common foundations, sliding UIKit apps in alongside AppKit apps, it's not like starting from scratch. But, because iOS and macOS share very different user interface paradigms, a lot of work still has to be done.

Apple is going to make that easier by moving key UIKit frameworks to the Mac, and adapting them for trackpad/mouse and pointer control, Mac interface conversions like the window-controlling traffic lights, scroll bars and resizing, and the Mac versions of copy and paste and drag and drop.

That where News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home fit back into this. Apple is using them to dog-food the first phase of this project.

They're all iPad apps that have been brought to the Mac with "very few code changes", according to Apple.

Evolve or die

I've been using the "Marizpan" — or UIKit apps on Mac — for a while. They're way better and more resource efficient than Electron apps — hi, Slack! — and feel better than progressive web apps, which still feels like something being pushed on the market to serve program manager and not engineering or customer needs.

They don't feel like traditional Mac apps to me, though. At least not yet. They're so freshly ported their touch-centric interfaces still squeak of iPad every time they spin around too quickly.

Maybe that'll change over the course of the year. Or maybe what we consider to be traditional Mac feel will change, just as it did when we transitioned from Classic to Carbon to Cocoa. And there'll be just as much grumbling and hot-taking along the way, I'm sure.

The Mac has to keep evolving, though, and Mac apps along with it. It's been doing it for going on two decades already and it'll keep on doing it, hopefully for many more.

Again, it's going to take a couple of years to get through it but the Mac app ecosystem should end up all the more vibrant because of it.

Phase II starts in 2018 when Developers are going to get a chance to start working with it.

Read the full macOS Mojave deep dive

Dark Mode is here! No, not for iOS, but for macOS Mojave, Apple's next-generation operating system for the Mac. It's not just a coat of night-colored paint, though: Apple's implementation goes deep. That includes sampling the background colors to make sure the temperature is never so warm or so cold it clashes with the rest of your desktop, and some bright new accent colors that stand out like neon.

Mostly, though, it just looks cool. Sure, we act like it's all the nerdy, niche features that we love the most. But announce Dark Mode and we cheer like it's the second coming of emoji. Because we're human and we want to have fun and look good doing it. And that's what Dark Mode is really all about.

Going Dark

The goal of the new Dark Mode interface appearance is to let the cruft fade away and the content pop. Like, POP. Previously, this was the realm of pro apps and exclusive to creative pros. But, just as the definition of pro has widened over the years, so has the understanding of the value a proper Dark Mode brings.

It can reduce the type of glare that sometimes contributes towards eyestrain and the light pollution that can contribute to your being hit in the head by a pillow when working on the sofa or in bed. It can also help you focus, whether it's on content you're creating, editing, or consuming, or the tasks you're trying to get done.

It works because Dark Mode on Mojave is enveloping. Dark Menubar. Dark Dock. Dark apps and sidebars. Dark buttons and backgrounds. But it's also deliberately consistent with "Light Mode", so you can switch back and forth without it feeling disruptive.

Developers can even specify different colors and appearances for Dark vs. Light interfaces in asset catalogs. So, for example, a lighter sky blue banner for Light Mode but a navy blue banner for Dark Mode. That way, apps look cohesive no matter which mode you're in.

That the modes are so easy to switch between is especially great. While I love Dark Mode for some pro apps and late night use, I find it a tad overbearing and even gloomy if I sit in it all day. My eyes and my moon need light! This way, whenever I have the slightest urge to switch, I just switch and go on about my business.

Accents, Casts, and Glyphs — Oh, my!

To coincide with Dark Mark, Apple has added new accent colors as well, and they work for both Dark and Light. Joining the venerable blue and graphite are red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and pink. It might seem like a small thing, but being able to highlight your interfaces with your favorite colors doesn't just make controls pop, it makes you pop.

Some of what Apple has done with Dark Mode is obvious: When you click a button, instead of it getting darker, it gets brighter. Some is not so obvious: The effect that indicates buttons are grouped together, instead of looking recessed, looks backlit.

Windows, on the other hand, to maintain a consistent depth effect, have drop shadows in Dark Mode just like they do in Light. (Though Dark Mode gets a rim stroke to go along with a stronger rim shader to keep it looking nice and crisp.)

Also, Dark Mode isn't just dark-as-in-desaturated. In order to prevent clashes, the system samples what's behind a window, including the system wallpaper. Then, it subtly tints the window — and controls because of their slight translucency — based on the average colors, and mixes that with a base gray, so that the color temperature of the window matches the rest of the environment and your wallpaper. It's a dynamic process that updates as you move windows around, so all the elements on your screen always feel part of a cohesive whole.

(If you hate the idea of tinting, you can pick the graphite accent "color", which forces no tinting at all.)

Vibrancy, which is what Apple calls the bright, saturation boosted, translucent effect applied to things like app sidebars, is also optimized in Dark Mode to maintain legibility. Basically, gray background elements take the place of white so that the contrast stays high, even in lower opacity levels.

Glyphs, or the monochrome icons used throughout interfaces, have also been adjusted so that they maintain weight legibility on dark backgrounds. Often, they've been redrawn to replace outlines with solid forms and details with knockouts.

Cool like Dark

It all results in a Dark Mode that's rich and polished — something that Smart Invert Colors on iOS, for example, doesn't really achieve.

For end users, the interface is the app. It's what we spend all our time staring at and/or interacting with. Change some plumbing deep in the foundations of an app, and maybe some of us will notice. Change the appearance, and most of us can't miss it.

That's why how interface looks is so incredibly important, especially when it's at the system level. Get it right and we'll love you. Get it wrong and we'll come for you.

macOS Mojave got Dark Mode right. It's simple but sophisticated, fresh and even a little futuristic.

macOS Mojave is currently available as a public beta and will be coming as a free update this fall for everyone running compatible Macs.

Read the full macOS Mojave Preview

Betas are going to come with their fair share of problems, especially developer betas. Public betas are supposed to be significantly more stable, but still not perfect. If you're trying to download or install a developer or public beta of macOS Mojave and are experiencing issues, here are some things you can do to help fix the problem.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Back up your Mac

By the time you're reading this, it may be too late to remind you to back up your Mac before you start downloading a beta, but I'm going to anyway.

Back up your Mac.

Before you try downloading or installing any beta (or any standard update), you should always make a fresh backup. If everything freezes and crashes and your screen turns purple, that fresh backup will be your saving grace.

How to back up your Mac, iPhone, and iPad: The Ultimate Guide

I can't download the macOS Mojave beta

If you know that you already have a beta profile installed on your Mac, but when you try to download the macOS Mojave beta, you get the message, "You must enroll your Mac to download the beta," The first thing you should do is un-enroll and then re-enroll your Mac. It's a fairly simple process that shouldn't take too long.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the far left of your Menu Bar.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on App Store.
4. Click on Change next to Your computer is set to receive beta software updates.
5. Click on Do Not Show Beta Software Updates.
6. Restart your Mac.

This will remove the Developer Beta Access Utility from your Mac, so you can then start over from scratch.

• How to download and install the macOS Mojave developer beta
• How to download and install the macOS Mojave public beta

The macOS Mojave beta freezes during installation

So you've successfully downloaded the beta, but during the installation process, it just hangs, rainbow ball a-spinnin'. This is probably the most common problem when getting a beta onto your Mac. There are a couple of reasons the installation might not work and a couple of things you can try.

• Make sure you're connected to the internet. Though the software is already on your computer at this point (assuming the download was successful), you may need to boot your Mac in Recovery Mode, which does require internet access.
• If the download hangs, try a basic restart. Then, try installing again.
• If, after restarting and re-downloading, the download still hangs, delete the downloaded profile and re-download it from Apple's beta downloads page and try reinstalling again.
• If, after the attempts I've just mentioned don't work, check your hard drive for issues. Restart your Mac in Recovery Mode and use Disk Utility to run a diagnostic. Sometimes, just the act of running a diagnostic fixes the problem and the installation will work.

iCloud is not syncing properly

Once you've successfully downloaded and installed macOS Mojave, you may come across issues with the build itself. That's not abnormal. This is, after all, a beta. For glitches, borks, and things generally not working, the first thing you should do is file a Radar so Apple knows of its existence and can fix it in the next build.

A common problem that sometimes happens when installing a beta is that iCloud doesn't properly sync with either your devices running the current operating system or devices running betas.

If one or more of your programs that normally sync with iCloud isn't syncing, my first suggestion is to give it a little time. I've noticed that after a few days, things seem to catch up and my iCloud content eventually syncs up.

If, after a week, iCloud is still not syncing, try logging out of iCloud on your Mac and logging back in.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the far left of your Menu Bar.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on iCloud.
4. Click on Sign out.

After you've successfully signed out of iCloud, sign back in.

If, after waiting and then signing out and signing back into iCloud on your Mac, nothing iCloud-related seems to be syncing properly, you can trash the clouddocs file to trigger a redownload of iCloud Drive files.

Don't forget to back up your Mac before following the steps below!

1. Click on your desktop to select Finder.
2. Hold down Shift + Command + G on your keyboard to launch the Go To Folder window.
3. Select the folder CloudDocs.
4. Move CloudDocs to the trash.

You'll also want to quit the cloudd and bird processes from Activity Monitor.

1. Launch Activity Monitor on your Mac.
2. Search for cloudd.
3. Select the cloudd process.
4. Click on the X button in the upper left corner of Activity Monitor.
5. Click on Quit.
6. Search for bird.
7. Select the bird process.
8. Click on the X button in the upper left corner of Activity Monitor.
9. Click on Quit.

Note: This may eat up a lot of your internet download speeds and take a long time, so be patient.

Now that Apple has added iCloud syncing to iMessages, there's an additional worry to consider. You can disable and then re-enable, and finally sync your Messages in iCloud to try to reboot the syncing process.

How to sync Messages in iCloud on Mac

Apple-built apps are not working properly

Even though Apple did the work to build apps that support the beta version of macOS Mojave, there is still a chance that something won't work right. The most important thing to do is to file a Radar so Apple is aware of the issue and can fix it.

You can also try restarting your Mac. Sometimes a simple reboot will flush out glitches and get your system working properly again.

How to restart your Mac

Third-party apps are not working

If your favorite third-party app isn't supported in the beta of macOS Mojave, that doesn't mean it won't be supported when the final build launches publicly. To be sure your favorite apps will eventually work on macOS Mojave this fall, contact the developers and let them know how much you love it and hope to keep using it for years to come. They'll be glad to hear from you and it will encourage them to get the lead out and update as soon as possible.

What are your issues?

Are you experiencing a specific issue downloading, installing, or using macOS Mojave? Put your issue in the comments (along with what model/year Mac you own) and I'll do what I can to help you troubleshoot.

Machine learning. It's the big technology of the moment, and Apple's continuing with its device-driven approach. While Other companies focus on server-side machine learning, Apple is continuing to puts its focus on device-bound frameworks and techniques to train machine learning models. With its latest technologies, developers should see boosts in productivity and performance. And when it comes to Apple's machine learning frameworks and tools for macOS Mojave, we're really talking about two things.

Let's talk about what's new with machine learning in macOS Mojave, specifically Core ML 2 and Create ML.

Core ML 2

Core ML is Apple's framework for high-performance, on-device machine learning, and it's getting some improvements with Core ML 2. The latest version of the framework supports up to 30 layer types, as well as standard machine learning models like SVMs, tree ensembles, and generalized linear models. And apps built using Core ML models, on both macOS and iOS, will continue to offer excellent performance without having to contact a server or send data off of a device.

With an assist from the latest version of Metal, Core ML 2 model training can see boosts of up to 20x while training using third-party libraries like Turi, TensorFlow, and Watson Services when using your device's GPU. On-device processing has also received an upgrade, moving up to 30% faster because of Apple's implementation of batch predictions into the framework. Developers can also reduce the size of their models by up to 75% in some cases.

Create ML

Create ML is a tool meant to help developers who are not experts in machine learning generate and test machine learning models to bring them to their apps. Using Create ML, developers can train models to recognize images, parse meaning from text, or find a relationship between numerical values. You can use common data sets, or bring in your own. After developers have tested their Create ML models and are satisfied with their performance, the work done with Create ML can be integrated into their apps using Core ML.

Most importantly, outside of ease of use for non-expert developers, is Create ML's emphasis on creating custom models on your Mac. Utilizing the power of Metal and model testing using the GPU, developers can get some really impressive results while training models with Create ML. Models can even be trained using Xcode's Playgrounds. According to Apple's documentation, image classification and natural language models built with Create ML take less time to train and end up smaller in size.

On stage at WWDC 2018, Apple's Craig Federighi gave the example of Memrise, a developer who, among other things, uses device cameras to identify objects and speak their names in multiple languages. The company would previously need 24 hours to train one of their models using 20,000 images. Using Create ML, Memrise was able to reduce that time to 48 minutes on a MacBook Pro, and 18 minutes on an iMac Pro. Thanks to work done for Core ML 2 and Create ML, the developer was also able to reduce the size of its model from 90MB to 3MB.

The bottom line

Machine learning model training is getting a big leg up from Metal and GPU-based training in Apple's next big software updates. Core ML 2 focuses on even faster performance over its predecessor, with the same easy integration of different machine learning models. Create ML, meanwhile, allows any developer to incorporate machine learning into their apps on both macOS and iOS, training models on the Macs they use every day.

Questions?

If you want to know more about the changes coming to Apple's machine learning framework and tools, let us know in the comments.

These days, it seems like the most efficient way to get your point across is to send an emoji. Using hand claps, hearts, and cry faces are harder to do on a Mac because you don't have quick access to your list of emoji (unless you've got a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, of course). Sure, you could drop the Emoji picker into your Menu bar or simply use the keyboard shortcut Control+Command+Space Bar, but in macOS Mojave, you'll be able to just grab your favorite symbol right in the message creation of the Mail app.

When you respond to an email or create a new one, you can turn your communiqué into a millennial's shorthand simply by clicking on the emoji picker right in the create email window.

It's in the upper right corner of the message window, right between font options and photo insert.

Just start typing your message and when you want to add a little visual enhancement to your email, insert an emoji to really express your feelings.

What do you think of emoji in Mojave?

Do you think adding emoji to the Mail app on Mac in Mojave is 👍 or 🤮? Express yourself in the comments section. Extra points for anyone that uses emoji!

As soon as Craig Federighi took the stage at WWDC 2018, I was on the edge of my seat. Last year, macOS got a half-step of an upgrade with High Sierra. There were plenty of great features, but much of it was under the hood instead of right in my face. With the demo of macOS Mojave at WWDC, it's clear Apple is making up for lost time with some major visual changes that I'm excited about. I'm pretty much excited about everything coming to Mojave, but these are the ones I'm most excited about.

Dark Mode

Who wouldn't love a systemwide dark mode on their computer? I've been hoping for this feature for years. All of Apple's built-in apps, including iTunes, Mail, Calendar, Safari ... everything, gets the dark mode treatment. It's so easy on the eyes! It's more than just a dark Menu bar. It's everywhere.

Hopefully, more developers will jump on board with this trend and my favorite apps that don't already offer a dark mode option will add it.

Dark mode all the things!

Reimagined Mac App Store

I've mentioned this before. In 2011, when the Mac App Store launched, I was so excited! I wanted the same experience on my Mac as I did on my iPhone (and that was before the App Store for iOS was a good looking as it is now). Unfortunately, Apple's fist attempt at a dedicated app store for the Mac was ... just OK.

I didn't visit it weekly to see what new content was launching. I didn't browse through categories or see what was hitting the top charts.

Discovering something new to use in the Mac App Store left something to be desired, to say the least.

Now, with the Discovery tab in Mojave, every week, Apple will, not only spotlight great apps and games, but will write about what's cool about them and create curated lists of great apps for certain occasions, like note-taking apps or great utilities for your Mac.

Plus, the Mac App Store will be divided into sections: Create, Work, Play, and Develop. In these sections, you'll find a variety of handpicked apps or games. For example, the Create section lists apps for photographers, artists, and writers while the Develop section lists developer tools and apps for design.

I can see myself going back to the Mac App Store every week to see what's new, what's being talked about, and what can help my workflow.

Screenshot tools

I take dozens of screenshots every day on my Mac. Whether I'm creating a visual guide for a how-to, or just want to capture a funny moment in a game. I'm hitting Command+Shift+3 or 4 on a regular basis.

Mojave's new screenshot tools makes taking a screenshot on Mac very similar to how it works on iPhone post iOS 11.

When you take a screenshot on Mac in Mojave, it'll appear in the lower right corner of your screen for a few seconds. When you double-click on it, you'll see a bunch of tools for editing that screenshot.

You can mark it up, add custom lines, drop in your signature, add a call-out magnifying glass, rotate, crop, and more. No more digging around, trying to find where you put your screenshot. No more opening it in Preview before gaining access to editing tools. Just double-click right into it right after you take it.

Oh, and you can record your screen (or a portion of it) using the new screenshot HUD that pops up when you hit Command+Shift+4!

Quick Actions in Finder

The sidebar in Finder is a nearly forgotten feature that I'm happy to see get some love. As is, it's a great little way to get a quick look at a document without having to open it.

In Mojave, however, that little sidebar is going to populate a full list of metadata. Even more exciting for me, however, is the Quick Action tool that will let me perform certain actions without having to open the document.

Federighi showed a demonstration of using the Rotate tool while previewing a picture. He didn't open the photo. He was just checking it out in the new Gallery view in Finder. Then, with just the click of his mouse, he rotated the picture ... without opening the document!

The Quick Actions tool is contextual so a different tool will appear when you perform different actions in Finder. For example, clicking on multiple documents at the same time allows you to create a PDF out of the files you just selected ... without opening the document!

Oh, and the best part is that Quick Actions are customizable. You'll be able to create Automator actions that you can map to buttons in the Finder window to have practically anything you want.

Universal app framework (only Apple's built-in apps in Mojave)

For a while now, there have been murmurings about Apple merging iOS and macOS with some sort of universal operating system. Apple clarified some things at WWDC 2018 about whether this were ever going to happen.

NO.

Instead, Apple is working on a universal app framework that will let developers bring their iOS apps to the Mac with just a little bit of coding. It's not a Webkit thing. It's not an AppKit thing. It's something different entirely. Something that makes it possible to use all of the tools we are comfortable with on Mac while using apps that were originally built for iOS.

Apple launched a "Sneak Peek" of this upcoming framework (due in 2019) by bringing four of its built-in iOS apps to the Mac.

• News
• Home
• Voice Memos
• Stocks

Each one of these apps will be available in Mojave. They're basically a port of the iOS versions, but tweaked just a little so they make sense on Mac.

What are you most excited to see in Mojave?

There are dozens of tiny improvements and a few more huge changes coming in macOS Mojave. Which ones are you most excited about coming to your Mac this fall?

The Mac has been shipping with 64-bit processors since before the Intel transition and macOS, née OS X, has supported 64-bit for years. Modern technologies, like Metal, require 64-bit. One day, macOS will as well. Apple hasn't said what day that will be, at least not yet, but it's continuing its long, slow march in that general direction.

At WWDC 2018, Apple noted that macOS Mojave will be the last Mac operating system to support 32-bit apps. By fall of 2019, and possibly sooner, any 32-bit apps still on your Mac will no longer work.

Apple has been notifying Mac users since April 2018. If you open an app on your Mac and get an alert that an app isn't optimized, there are a few things you can do.

What notification will Mac users see?

If you're running macOS 10.13.4 or later, starting April 12 at midnight local time, if and when you launch a 32-bit notification, you'll get a notification that says:

You'll only ever get the notification once — the first time you launch the 32-bit app, and only to let you know the app will, eventually, be outdated.

Will you still be able to run 32-bit apps on macOS?

Absolutely. For now — and until Apple officially announces and implements an end-of-support date or the next Mac operating system launches, whichever comes first.

Is there a way to see any and all 32-bit apps you might have installed on your Mac?

There is, but it's tedious.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the Menubar.
2. Click on About this Mac.
3. Click on System Report.
4. Click on Applications (under Software.)
5. Click on an App.
6. If the 64-bit (Intel) field says No, the app is 32-bit.

What do you do if you have 32-bit apps?

Check the Mac App Store or developer's webpage for an updated, 64-bit version of the app. If one's available, upgrade.

If there's no 64-bit version available, you can send the developer feedback, or you can look for a similar app that does support 64-bit.

When will the 32- to 64-bit transition be complete?

Apple hasn't set that date yet. Hopefully, the company is watching how fast developers are moving and users are updating and, when it does set a date, it'll be one that works for as many people as possible. The only thing we know so far is that Apple has confirmed that macOS 10.14 Mojave wil be the last macOS to support 32-bit apps.

For more information, keep an eye on Apple's knowledge base.

This year, macOS hits lucky number 10.14. Apple's been working on it since last fall, when marketing weighed in on what it thought the next update needed, engineers pitched new ideas, and Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi sifted through the big pile on his desk. Since Apple doesn't tease future releases, until Federighi takes the stage on June 4 at WWDC 2018, it's impossible for anyone on the outside to know everything that made the cut but that doesn't stop the rumors from flying.

Here's what's made the news so far!

June 2, 2018: macOS 'Mojave' 10.14 dark mode, Xcode 10, App Store redesign, and News app

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith has shared screenshots of what he ways are the new Xcode 10, macOS 10.14 dark mode, redesigned Mac App Store with video previews, and the Apple News app for macOS.

Following along, developer Gui Rambo teased that the name will be macOS Mojave. (Though, there's still time for Apple to change all the slides to macOS Weed just to mess with the leaks.)

We'll see the whole thing on Monday when Apple kicks off the WWDC 2018 keynote at 10am PDT / 1pm EDT.

May 28, 2018: Mac App Store once again rumored to be getting a macOS 10.14 makeover

I thought this was pretty much common knowledge since WWDC 2017, following the launch of the iOS App Store redesign last year, but it's widely, deeply expected that the Mac App Store redesign, like the iBook Store redesign, will follow this year.

Stlll, Gruber dropped this on Daring Fireball and it's getting attention, so it's worth the reminder:

Something unexpected could always go wrong, but it'd be news if we don't get this stuff in June.

May 23, 2018: System-wide Dark Mode rumored — guessed? wished? — for macOS

Gui Rambo is a reverse-engineering whiz, so when he throws something up on Twitter, it's worth paying attention to. In this case, it's hard to tell if Gui is sharing a rumor, and educated guess, or just wishing like the rest of us. But, given that Apple has started down the Dark Mode path on macOS, forever should it control its destiny... or, rather, just finish implementing it already.

April 30, 2018: 'Marzipan' isn't 'Marzipan', but it's coming 2019... as part of a new UI

John Gruber, writing for Daring Fireball:

I just assumed Marzipan was the name for one of the candidates for this project, but that Apple was going ahead with a different candidate. Apple often weighs different approaches, like using AppKit or WebKit for iOS before coming up with UIKit, or other languages or storage technologies before going all-in on Swift or APFS.

It could be part of a bigger project that, to borrow John's HTML analogy, brings a little CSS to the table?

That's also when the new Home screen and interface design are currently scheduled to appear, which John doesn't think is a coincidence. And is probably not a coincidence.

Mark Gurman, on Twitter, claims this is part of separate projects being run by the Swift team.

February 12, 2018: Apple reportedly pulling a "Snow Leopard" on macOS 10.14

Snow Leopard, famously, was the version of OS X that focused less on new features and more on refining the existing features and core technologies. macOS High Sierra had much of the same focus as well. Still, given how many major achitectural changes Apple has rolled out (and in some cases, rolled back) over the last few years, it sounds like more refinements, not less, are in our future.

Mark Gurman writing for Bloomberg:

The same is, apparently, true for macOS where, for example, APFS still needs to roll out for Fusion drives, the new Windowing Server still needs to be fixed, etc.

December 20, 2017: Apple working on easier iOS to Mac app deployment, potentially for macOS 10.14

Right now, developers who make both iOS and macOS versions of their apps can't share much between them. And that makes developing and maintaining the Mac version more difficult than, say, the iPad version. Apple could be about to make that easier, though.

Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg:

I spoke to developers who've worked on previous, third party, shared framework attempts in the past. Here's what they thought:

When will we see macOS 10.14?

If Apple keeps to its recent schedule, it will show off macOS 10.14 for the first time during the keynote for it's annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 4, 2018. Tim Cook will introduce macOS 10.14, while Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, will go through its different tentpole features.

It's likely that the first developer beta of macOS 10.14 will be made available the same day as the presentation. As with the last few iterations of macOS, a public beta should follow later in the summer.

What new features will we see in macOS 10.14?

macOS 10.14 is rumored to be low on new features and high on stability and reliability fixes, much like macOS High Sierra and OS X Snow Leopard were. Apple has made many, huge changes under the hood over the last couple of years, including everything from a new file system to a new windowing server, and it has to keep paying down that technical debt.

What new features have been rumored include:

• New framework to make it easier for developers to bring iOS apps to the Mac.
• System-wide Dark Mode.
• Home app
• APFS for Fusion Drives

When will macOS 10.14 launch for the public?

For the last few years, new versions of macOS have gone into general release in the fall. While iOS has been tied to the release of new iPhones, always arriving a couple days before the new models launch, macOS has been more fluid. (Though, increasingly, Apple seems to be trying to coordinate the releases due to the amount of shared features between them.)

• 2017: September 25
• 2016: September 20
• 2015: Spetember 30
• 2014: October 16
• 2013: October 22

What will macOS 10.14 be called?

Update: macOS Mojave is currently being teased as the official name.

Is this the year Craig Federighi finally gets to use macOS Weed? Probably not. It's the crack marketing team, as he often points out, that gets to choose the names.

More likely is one of the following, part of a list of Apple trademarks unearthed in 2014:

• Big Sur
• California
• El Diablo
• Redwood
• Mammoth
• Miramar
• Mojave
• Monterey
• Pacific
• Sequoia
• Sonoma
• Tiburon
• Ventura

What do you want to see in macOS 10.14?

I'm still waiting for better Split View handling, the Home app, the News app, and proper drag-and-drop support for the Photos app, amoung other things.

What about you?