Eliana Willis

How does the MacOS 26 public beta differ from the final release?When Apple releases the beta to the public, it’s a sign that it believes the operating system to be stable enough to try out. But there are certainly still bugs, and the software may not be fully optimized. This means it could be a little slower and unpolished than the final version this fall. Which Macs are compatible with MacOS 26?You’ll need a Mac with Apple Silicon (not Intel) running MacOS 15, which is generally from after 2020. Here’s the complete list of compatible models: MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)iMac (2020 and later)Mac mini (2020 and later)Mac Studio (2022 and later)Mac Pro (2019 and later)My Mac isn’t on that list, but I’m running Sequoia. Is it compatible?Unfortunately, some Macs from 2020 or before that are compatible with Sequoia won’t work with MacOS 26. The following models fall into that category: MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)iMac Pro (2017)Mac mini (2018)When will MacOS 26 release?The final general release will launch in September 2025.What should I do before installing the MacOS 26 beta?Before you download a beta version of an operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind:Also: MacOS 26 envy? 4 best features that Windows PC users can already useBack up your device and personal information.Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday Mac. Beta versions are released so you can test new features and share feedback to improve MacOS.How to submit feedback to AppleThe MacOS public beta comes with its own built-in Feedback Assistant app, which you can open from the dock. If you encounter something that doesn’t work, or you have feedback on any part of the OS, you can communicate directly with Apple via that app. Also: Your Mac is about to get a huge Spotlight upgrade – finallyEditor’s note: This article was originally published in June 2025. It was fact-checked and thoroughly updated on July 8, 2025.Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

Jian Fan/Getty Images Wireless charging is about to get a lot faster. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), an open standards development group of more than 300 members who work together to ensure compatibility between wireless chargers and power sources, announced a new, faster standard for wireless charging today: Qi2 25W. Also: The best wireless chargers: Expert […] More

What is cache?Cache — or browser cache — is the temporary storage of website files. So, things like images, scripts, and cookies that your browser saves on your phone to make pages load faster the next time you visit. Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to iOS 26 (and which ones don’t support it)Over time, though, those files can add up, taking a large bite out of your device storage and slowing things down. That’s why it’s smart to clear your browser cache regularly. In this article, I focused on clearing Safari and Chrome’s cache on an iPhone, but keep in mind that apps and even your phone’s processor have their own caches, too.How to clear your app cache on iPhoneYou can clear an app’s cache by deleting and reinstalling it — or, when available, using an in-app “Clear Cache” option. Since iOS doesn’t offer a universal cache-clearing tool, each app handles it differently. TikTok and CapCut include a built-in cache-clear button, Amazon lets you erase your browsing history, and Reddit offers a way to wipe local history. It depends on an app’s features.Is ‘clear cache’ the same as offloading? Not quite. Offloading an app via your iPhone’s settings can boost performance when your storage is tight by uninstalling the app and keeping its documents and data intact. Just go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app you want, and choose Offload App. This removes the app and its cache but leaves your data in place, so when you reinstall it, you’ll pick up right where you left off.Are cookies and cache the same thing?Cache and cookies are not the same. Cache stores copies of images, scripts, and other page elements so sites load faster on your next visit, while cookies are small data files that remember specific information about you — like login credentials, site preferences, or items in your shopping cart. Also: Cookie pop-ups don’t have to be a fact of life online – how I block them and whyClearing your cache removes those saved page files but won’t log you out of sites, whereas deleting cookies will wipe your saved logins and settings, forcing you to sign in again and reset any preferences.Can you block cookies on an iPhone?You can block cookies in Safari. Turning them off stops sites from tracking you, but it can also break some websites or limit features. So, you’ll need to weigh privacy against usability. If you’d like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:Go to Settings and select Safari.Tap on the toggle next to Block All Cookies.There are also third-party extensions — such as Ghostery More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETGood news: You don’t have to put up with an old phone just because you don’t want to pay up-front for a new device, or deal with a monthly fee. Right now, T-Mobile is offering a free iPhone 16 Pro More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Twelve South’s PlugBug is a wall charger optimized for iOS, offering native Find My support. It’s especially convenient for frequent flyers who are prone to misplacing their vital charging cables. The device is pricey but worth it for its bulk, versatility, and convenience. –> The PlugBug Travel 120W<!–> is currently on […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETLast month, Apple announced its latest update for MacOS 26, codenamed “Tahoe.” It’s full of new visual design elements like Apple’s Liquid Glass design theme, better integration with the iPhone, and a more robust Spotlight feature that’s better integrated with Shortcuts. In fact, the theme of all of Apple’s updates this year is streamlining both the visual UI and feature sets across Apple devices, while making more apps and features available on them, punctuated by Apple Intelligence. Also: The best MacBooks of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedAlthough the official release of MacOS Tahoe won’t be until this fall, if you’re keen on trying them out early, the public beta is finally here. This means Apple has determined the operating system is stable enough to be opened up to the public at large, but keep in mind that there could still be bugs.  Let’s take a look at the biggest announcements Apple made for MacOS. 1. The Phone app on Mac More

Apple/ZDNETThe public beta for the Apple Watch’s latest software just arrived. Apple launched the public beta for iOS 26, WatchOS 26, and more, on Thursday. The software updates don’t skimp on new WatchOS features, like an AI-powered fitness coach, Live Translation for Messages, and many more. Also: Everything announced at WWDC 2025: iOS 26, AI, MacOS, iPad OSThe new features subtly infuse AI into regularly used apps and functionalities, improve peskier features, like the Call Screener, which monitors unknown numbers for spam, or notification volume adjustments that take your ambient environment into account before sending a blaring Apple Watch ping.  If you’re interested in trying out the new software ahead of its official rollout in the fall and want to test-run the beta today, you will have to own one of the compatible Apple Watches. Plus, to update your Apple Watch to the latest software, you’ll also need to update your iPhone as well. Also: Your Apple Watch is getting an upgrade. Here are the best features coming to Watch OS 26 WatchOS 26 requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE in tandem with one of the following Apple Watches. Certain Apple Intelligence-powered features, like Live Translation and Workout Buddy, require one of the following iPhone models: all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Max with Apple Intelligence enabled. Every Apple Watch model that supports WatchOS 26Apple Watch Series 6Apple Watch Series 7Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Ultra 2Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) More

ZDNETMicrosoft has been touting its Recall feature to certain Windows users, but the screen snooper is already persona non grata with one popular browser. Starting with version 1.81, Brave for Windows will block Recall from automatically taking screenshots of your browsing activity, according to an article posted on Brave’s website.”Given Brave’s focus on privacy-maximizing defaults and what is at stake here (your entire browsing history), we have proactively disabled Recall for all Brave tabs,” Brave said in the article. “We think it’s vital that your browsing activity on Brave does not accidentally end up in a persistent database, which is especially ripe for abuse in highly highly-privacy-sensitive cases such as intimate partner violence.”Also: Microsoft’s new AI agent can change Windows settings for you – here’s howTo pull off this trick, Brave is using Microsoft’s own technology against it. In this case, Microsoft has stated that private browsing windows would not be included in Recall’s snapshots. Extending that definition, Brave will tell the operating system that every tab is private, which will automatically prevent Recall from snooping on it. Brave provided further details on this sneaky workaround via a GitHub page.Though Recall will be disabled by default, Brave users will be able to turn it on should they wish. To do that, simply head to Settings in the browser, go to the section for “Privacy and security,” and then turn off the switch to block Microsoft Recall. More