macOS 27 Golden Gate: new features, Siri AI, compatible Macs and limits in Europe

macOS 27 Golden Gate is the Mac’s big annual update. Apple released it on 14 September 2026, alongside iOS 27. Visually it is more discreet than last year’s release, but it marks two turning points: the end of support for Intel-based Macs, and the arrival of Siri AI, Apple’s new assistant built on Google’s Gemini models.

Here is what changes, which Macs are affected, what actually works in France, and how macOS compares with Windows 11 and the new Googlebook OS.

Compatible Macs: the end of the Intel era

macOS 27 only installs on Macs with an Apple chip: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini from 2020, iMac from 2021, Mac Studio from 2022, Mac Pro from 2023, and the MacBook Neo launched this year.

The last four Intel Macs still supported by macOS 26 (16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019, 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2020, iMac from 2020 and Mac Pro from 2019) stay on Tahoe. They will get security fixes until 2029, but no new features. If you own one, it still works, but it will no longer grow with the system.

Liquid Glass, more legible

The translucent interface introduced last year has been fixed where it was weakest. Sidebars now reach the edge of windows, corners are consistent from one app to the next, and text contrast on transparent backgrounds is better. You can also pull down to refresh in Safari, Mail, Calendar and Podcasts, as on an iPhone.

The other changes are practical rather than spectacular: more relevant search in Mail, support for ultra-wide displays at high resolution (up to 5K at 120 Hz), simpler parental controls with a redesigned Screen Time, and many smoothness and stability optimisations.

Siri AI and Apple Intelligence

Siri AI is the real novelty. The assistant becomes a genuine conversational agent, with its own app. It understands the context of what is on screen, can combine the web with your personal data, and above all act inside apps: send a document, retouch an image, find a message. It is integrated into Spotlight, the right-click menu and dictation, which becomes more accurate and works in almost every app.

There are two important limits in France. First, Siri AI only speaks English at launch: Apple has announced French for October. Second, it is available on Mac in the European Union, but not on iPhone and iPad, because of a disagreement between Apple and the European Commission over the Digital Markets Act.

Finally, the advanced features require an M3 chip or newer and 12GB of memory. M1 and M2 Macs and the MacBook Neo do not get them. Unlike Gemini on Googlebooks, much of the processing happens on the machine, with the rest going through Apple’s servers.

Continuity with the iPhone

This is the Mac’s long-standing strength: AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, Handoff to pick up a task started on the iPhone, calls and texts from the computer, instant hotspot. All of it works without setup with an iPhone.

However, iPhone Mirroring, which displays and controls the phone from the Mac, is still not offered in the EU. And with an Android phone, the Mac offers almost no integration: this is where Googlebooks are a step ahead.

Apps and games

The Mac runs the big creative and office programs in their full versions: Microsoft Office with its macros, the Adobe suite, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and most development tools. On Apple chips, some iPhone and iPad apps are available too.

Windows software does not run directly. You need a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop or CrossOver, with mixed results. Gaming is improving, but the catalogue is still much smaller than on PC, and games with anti-cheat are often missing.

What it costs

macOS 27 is free for every compatible Mac. The entry ticket is the Mac itself: the MacBook Neo starts at €799 (about 524,000 FCFA), but without Siri AI, and the MacBook Air M5 is the first laptop to get every Apple Intelligence feature.

Apple publishes no official update period. In practice, a Mac receives new macOS versions for six to eight years, followed by a few years of security fixes.

Who is macOS 27 for?

macOS 27 is first and foremost for iPhone owners, who get the most polished continuity on the market. It also suits creatives, students and anyone who wants a quiet, long-lasting laptop without spending time in the settings.

It suits gamers, Android users and people who depend on Windows software less well. For them, Windows 11 26H2 or a Googlebook may be a better fit. Torn between a Mac and a Googlebook? Our comparison Googlebook OS vs macOS 27 will help you choose.

Frequently asked questions about macOS 27 Golden Gate

Is my Mac compatible with macOS 27?

Yes if it has an Apple chip (M series or MacBook Neo). Intel-based Macs no longer are.

Is Siri AI available in French?

Not at launch. Siri AI has worked in English on Mac since 14 September 2026, and Apple has announced French for October.

Why doesn’t Siri AI work on my M2 MacBook Air?

The advanced features require an M3 chip or newer and 12GB of memory.

What happens to Intel Macs?

They stay on macOS 26 Tahoe and receive security updates until 2029, with no new features.

Should I install macOS 27 right away?

If your important apps are compatible, yes. Otherwise, wait for the first bug-fix update, after checking the professional apps you depend on.