Take Control of Sequoia

Version 1.2, updated April 29, 2025

macOS 15 Sequoia is one of Apple's most ambitious updates in years. Along with the usual range of new features, it introduces Apple Intelligence, which permeates many parts of the system and fundamentally changes the sorts of things you can do with your Mac and how you do them. This book is your complete guide to what's new in Sequoia.

Sequoia adds a great many features to macOS, although some of them didn't appear until later releases. This book, now up to date through version 15.4.1, covers all the changes so far. You'll learn about Apple Intelligence capabilities, new window tiling features, iPhone mirroring, videoconferencing tools, the much-discussed Passwords app, how Siri is becoming more powerful, new ways of formatting messages in the Messages app, additional features in Notes, among other changes. Joe also walks you carefully through the upgrade process from earlier versions of macOS.

This book teaches you things like:

• How to tell whether your Mac is compatible with Sequoia

• Steps you should take before upgrading

• How to perform an in-place upgrade—or do a clean install and migrate your old data from a backup

• What's new in the System Settings app

• Using new Safari 18 features, such as page highlights, a redesigned Reader view, a tool to remove distracting page elements, and a new video viewer

• What Apple Intelligence can do so far (including Siri changes, ChatGPT integration, writing tools, and image generation)

• The many ways you can now tile your windows, and how to turn off the annoying bits

• What the new Passwords app can and can't do (and why it probably won't replace your current password manager)

• Using the new iPhone Mirroring app to interact with your iPhone right on your Mac's screen

• How to enhance video calls (using apps like FaceTime, Zoom, or Slack) with background replacement and better screen sharing controls

• Ways to format text and add animations in Messages, plus smart replies, scheduled replies, and emoji or sticker tapbacks

• New ways to use Notes, including new text formatting options, transcription of live audio, collapsible sections, and text highlighting

• How to use Math Notes for calculations without a calculator or spreadsheet (and not just in the Notes app)

• Small but interesting changes throughout macOS, such as accessibility improvements and new capabilities for AirPods

• Improvements to bundled apps, including Calculator, Calendar, Finder, Freeform, Home, Mail, Maps, Music, Photos, Podcasts, Reminders, TV, and Weather