Apple’s upcoming macOS Sequoia operating system is set to launch alongside iOS 18 in mid-September, according to a report from MacRumors. While Apple traditionally launches iOS updates in September, macOS launches have not been so consistent as we have over the years seen macOS releases in September, October, and November.
A mid-September release for macOS Sequoia is likely due to the cross-platform features announced in June at WWDC24. Releasing the iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia updates simultaneously will ensure that the cross-platform features are functional and working properly.
iPhone Mirroring allows users to fully control their iPhones via their Mac, providing access to apps, interacting with notifications, and more. A user’s custom wallpaper and icons appear just like on their iPhone, and they can swipe between pages on their Home Screen, or launch and browse any of their favorite apps. The keyboard, trackpad, and mouse on Mac also let a user interact with their iPhone, and audio even comes through.
Users can seamlessly drag and drop between iPhone and Mac, and a user’s iPhone remains locked, so nobody else can access or see what the user is doing. It also works great with StandBy, which stays visible, so users can get information at a glance. Additionally, users can review and respond to iPhone notifications directly from their Mac.
Both operating systems will receive Apple Intelligence features, although they will not be available at launch. The functionality will debut in subsequent iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates, which are expected to be released in October.
If Apple sticks with the timing it has used for the last several years, the most likely iPhone event date is September 10, with an iPhone launch a week later on September 20. Since new iOS updates are usually released on the Wednesday before the release of the new iPhones, we could see releases of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia on September 18.
Of course, this could all shift if Apple holds the iPhone event later in the month. We won’t know for sure what the release timeline will look like until Apple announces the data for its iPhone event, which could happen as soon as next week. as soon as next week.