Apple’s latest operating system update, macOS 15.4 Sequoia, introduces a host of new features and enhancements designed to elevate the Mac user experience. This comprehensive update focuses on refining system applications, expanding Apple Intelligence capabilities, and integrating advanced functionalities to meet the diverse needs of users. Below is an in-depth exploration of the key features and improvements in macOS 15.4.
Redesigned Mail Application
One of the most significant updates in macOS 15.4 is the complete overhaul of the Mail app. The new interface introduces on-device categorization, automatically sorting incoming emails into distinct tabs:
• Primary: Personal and time-sensitive emails.
• Transactions: Confirmations, receipts, and financial communications.
• Updates: Newsletters, social notifications, and general updates.
• Promotions: Marketing emails, advertisements, and promotional content.
This categorization streamlines inbox management, allowing users to focus on essential communications without being overwhelmed by less critical messages. Additionally, the Mail app now features a ‘Digest View,’ which consolidates all relevant emails from a single sender into a cohesive summary. This enhancement enables users to quickly scan through communications from businesses or contacts, identifying pertinent information at a glance.
Apple Intelligence Enhancements
macOS 15.4 brings substantial improvements to Apple Intelligence, enhancing the system’s responsiveness and versatility. Key advancements include:
• Expanded Language Support: Apple Intelligence now supports additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), and localized English variants for Singapore and India. This expansion makes Apple Intelligence more accessible to a broader user base.
• Enhanced Siri Performance: Siri operates with improved speed, delivering faster responses and smoother animations, resulting in a more intuitive and efficient user interaction. These refinements make Siri a more reliable assistant for daily tasks.
• Image Playground ‘Sketch’ Style: A new ‘Sketch’ style has been added to the Image Playground app, allowing users to create images with a hand-drawn aesthetic. This feature caters to both creative professionals and casual users seeking unique visual expressions.
User Interface and System Refinements
macOS 15.4 introduces several updates aimed at enhancing the overall user interface and system experience:
• Redesigned Welcome Screen: The “Welcome to Mac” screen now features updated animations and modernized fonts, providing a fresh and engaging introduction for new users.
• Notification Enhancements: Notification banners have been revamped for improved clarity, and users can now customize critical alert settings, allowing for a more tailored notification experience.
• Passwords App Update: The Passwords app now includes a visual countdown timer for verification codes, represented by a grey ring that gradually fills with green to indicate the remaining time before code expiration. This feature simplifies the management of time-sensitive codes across multiple accounts.
Quick Start for Mac
The Quick Start feature, familiar to iPhone and iPad users, is now available on Mac with macOS 15.4. This functionality simplifies the setup process for new devices by allowing users to transfer settings seamlessly. During setup, an animation appears on the Mac screen, which can be scanned with another device to initiate the transfer of various settings, including Apple Account login information. This addition streamlines the onboarding process for new Mac users.
Safari 18 Updates
Safari 18 introduces several new features aimed at enhancing the browsing experience:
• Highlights Feature: This tool assists users in discovering information more efficiently by providing summaries and key points directly within the browser.
• Redesigned Reader: The Reader feature has been revamped to minimize distractions, offering a more streamlined view of articles. For longer articles, it now includes a summary and a table of contents, facilitating easier navigation.
• Video Playback Enhancements: Videos on web pages are now more prominently displayed, with playback controls and picture-in-picture options readily accessible, improving the overall media consumption experience within Safari.
New Passwords Application
Apple has introduced a standalone Passwords app in macOS 15.4, evolving the functionality previously found within iCloud Keychain. This application provides users with a centralized location to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials, and other login information. It seamlessly syncs across Apple devices and is compatible with Windows through the iCloud for Windows app, ensuring users have access to their credentials across different platforms.
Calculator App Enhancements
The Calculator app has undergone a redesign to align more closely with its iOS counterpart. Notable new features include a history tape, allowing users to view previous calculations, and revamped conversion functions. The app’s window is now resizable, offering greater flexibility for users who require a customizable workspace for their calculations.
Calendar and Reminders Integration
macOS 15.4 enhances the integration between the Calendar and Reminders apps. Users can now manage reminders directly within the Calendar app, viewing events and tasks in a unified interface. An updated Month View provides a clearer overview of scheduled activities, and both applications have received user interface improvements to enhance usability and aesthetic appeal.