Apple recently released iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, watchOS 11.5, and macOS Sequoia 15.5 software updates for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac, respectively. But the major updates are still a while away. iOS 19, iPadOS 19, watchOS 12, and macOS 16 are slated for June and will be officially released in September.
However, ahead of its unveiling at WWDC25 in June, some details about what’s new in iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 have been revealed.
While iOS 19 will feature a visionOS-inspired redesign, Apple’s other operating systems will be more cohesive and uniform. In other words, they’ll look more similar to each other. Plus, we’ve now learned more about macOS 16.
macOS 16 will add new controls, iOS alerts, and privacy improvements.
Apple has updated its AppKit documentation to inform developers about changes to the data transfer system for copying content between apps.
Currently, macOS apps can read the clipboard without requesting permission from the user. This is in stark contrast to iOS, whose system warns users about attempts to access it through pop-up windows indicating that one app wants to copy content from another.
Apple has provided more details about this system in its developer documentation:
Prepare your app for a new macOS feature that alerts a person using a device when your app reads the system-wide clipboard. The system displays the alert only if the clipboard access wasn’t the result of someone interacting with a UI element that the system considers related.
Apple plans to introduce a new system for detecting copy and paste in NSPasteboard and NSPasteboardItem. This will allow apps to review what type of data is being copied. Additionally, users will be able to control access for each app individually, with options to allow once, always allow, or block.
Additionally, macOS 16 is rumored to have a macOS Big Sur feel . Aside from receiving changes inspired by the Apple Vision Pro operating system’s user interface with translucent menus and gray tones, it will also have larger buttons and a lot more space overall.
