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Tag: Spotlight

  • Apple releases iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, focuses on security fixes

    Apple releases iOS 18.7.2, iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, focuses on security fixes

    If you’re holding off on updating to iOS 26.1 or iPadOS 26.1 for a while, or your devices are managed by an IT department that hasn’t approved the update yet, this is going to come in handy.

    Apple has recently released its iOS 18.7.2 and iPadOS 18.7.2 updates, complete with more than two dozen security updates for core components within the operating systems, including App Store, Mail, and Spotlight vulnerabilities.

    The fixes are as follows:

    • App Store
      Impact: An app may be able to fingerprint the user
      Description: A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.
      CVE-2025-43444: Zhongcheng Li from IES Red Team of ByteDance
    • Mail
      Impact: Remote content may be loaded even when the ‘Load Remote Images’ setting is turned off
      Description: The issue was addressed by adding additional logic.
      CVE-2025-43496: Romain Lebesle, Himanshu Bharti @Xpl0itme From Khatima
    • Spotlight
      Impact: An attacker with physical access to a locked device may be able to view sensitive user information
      Description: This issue was addressed by restricting options offered on a locked device.
      CVE-2025-43418: Dalibor Milanovic

    As always, the updates can be located, downloaded, and installed on your iPhone or iPad by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen instructions.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the updates, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via Macworld and support.apple.com

  • Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26 operating system

    Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26 operating system

    Rounding things out for the update-o-rama on Monday, Apple released its long-awaited macOS Tahoe 26 operating system.

    The new operating system sports a ton of new features, including the much-hyped Liquid Glass user interface, and focuses on the following major new features and changes:

    Liquid Glass:

    These changes can be seen with the Dock, app icons, the new Control Center, the App Switcher, and Desktop widgets while the rest of the system adopted a more muted, frostier look.

    Desktop widgets:

    Users can finally add widgets to the desktop without having to rely on the Notification Center. Desktop widgets have a Liquid Glass look, and like with Notification Center widgets, you can add them from both native and third-party apps.

    Spotlight:

    This has undergone some of the most significant changes, including the addition of a clipboard history tab (which you can quickly access by pressing Cmd + 4 after invoking Spotlight), as well as Applications (Cmd + 1), Files (Cmd + 2), and Actions (Cmd + 3) tabs.

    Actions:

    The Actions feature has introduced Quick Keys, which function as shortcut snippets for commonly used commands and features. Quick Keys can execute tasks such as sending text messages and emails, running shortcuts, and more in both native and third-party apps.

    Automation:

    Automation can now perform functions such as setting shortcuts to run automatically based on the time of day, or based on triggers such as saving a new file to a folder, turning Do Not Disturb on or off, and even connecting to external accessories.

    Control Center:

    The Control Center feature can now be accessed from the menu bar, and you can customize which controls you’d like to see there, as well as the layout and how much space each control should take.

    Continuity:

    Live Activities from your iPhone can now be seen on the macOS menu bar, including functions such as iPhone mirroring.

    Phone:

    Users can now start and better manage calls as opposed to simply answering them. The new Phone app features functions from iOS 26, such as Call Screening and Hold Assist.

    Journal:

    This allows users to create journals that can include text, graphics, a map view, and multiple journal management.

    Apple Games:

    Coming to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS at once, this new app is basically Apple’s gaming hub, with its own editorial content and centralized cloud saves so gamers can pick up where they left off in their favorite titles.

    macOS Tahoe 26 is compatible with the following Macs:

    • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
    • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
    • MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
    • MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • iMac (2020 and later)
    • Mac mini (2020 and later)
    • Mac Studio (2022 and later)
    • Mac Pro (2019 and later)

    If you’ve had a chance to try macOS Tahoe 26, please let us know about your experience in the comments, and the full feature list can be found below.

    Via 9to5Mac and Apple (macOS Tahoe 26 feature list)

  • Apple announces release dates for macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 26

    Apple announces release dates for macOS Tahoe 26, iOS 26

    If you’ve been hankering for a release date for Apple’s iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 operating systems, they’re here.

    Over at Tuesday’s “Awe Dropping” media event, Apple confirmed that macOS Tahoe 26 will be released on the same day as iOS 26 and its other operating systems: September 15.

    Alongside the Liquid Glass UI overhaul that’s en route to all Apple operating systems, macOS Tahoe 26 will see improvements in the Finder, Spotlight, and Continuity features, as well as Apple Intelligence features focused on accessibility and automation. Many users have been excited that the Spotlight will finally be getting a clipboard manager, while other new bells and whistles include an automation features that let users compose and send emails and text messages, and even convert files via Shortcuts without ever leaving the classic macOS search bar.

    The Finder itself will receive a facelist, complete with support for tinted icons and folders, and the system now also supports desktop widgets, as well as multiple control center shortcuts, which can be added to the menu bar for even more convenience.

    Apple Intelligence will also receive new features, which are largely centered around communication and include Live Translation support for Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls. With the advent of macOS Taho 26, the OS will include a native Phone app, alongside Journal and the new Games apps.

    macOS Tahoe 26 will run on the following systems:

    • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
    • MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
    • MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
    • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
    • iMac (2020 and later)
    • Mac mini (2020 and later)
    • Mac Studio (2022 and later)
    • Mac Pro (2019 and later)

    If you’ve had a chance to try the macOS Tahoe 26 betas, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Microsoft researchers located, highlighted potential “Sploitlight” vulnerability within macOS’ Spotlight feature

    Microsoft researchers located, highlighted potential “Sploitlight” vulnerability within macOS’ Spotlight feature

    You can call it ironic until the cows come home, but Microsoft appears to have identified a vulnerability in Apple’s macOS Spotlight feature.

    Per MacRumors and Microsoft’s blog, Microsoft Threat Intelligence found a Spotlight-related vulnerability that could allow attackers to steal private file data. The issue was outlined in a blog post on Monday, with Microsoft’s threat team calling the exploit “Sploitlight” because it uses Spotlight plugins.

    Microsoft identified the vulnerability as a Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) bypass that can leak sensitive info cached by Apple Intelligence. Were it to be exploited, attackers could have used it to get precise location data, photo and video metadata, face recognition data from the Photo Library, search history, AI email summaries, user preferences, and more.

    Although TCC is designed to prevent apps from accessing personal information without user consent, the current build of Spotlight plugins allow files to appear in search that have been sandboxed by Apple as well as restricted from accessing sensitive files. Microsoft’s researchers appear to have found a way around that and tweaked the app bundles that Spotlight pulls in, leaking file contents.

    Microsoft shared details of the bypass with Apple, which Apple addressed in the macOS Sequoia 15.4 and iOS 15.4 updates, which were released on March 31. The vulnerability was never actively exploited, because Apple was able to fix it before it was disclosed.

    Apple’s security support document for the update said that the problem was addressed through improved data redaction. Apple fixed two other vulnerabilities that were credited to Microsoft at the same time, with improved validation of symlinks and improved state management.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Microsoft

  • macOS Tahoe 26 features, list of compatible Macs, and other details published

    macOS Tahoe 26 features, list of compatible Macs, and other details published

    With all the hubbub about iOS 26 over at WWDC, macOS Tahoe 26 deserves some attention.

    Per the cool cats at TechRadar, you can expect the new version of the macOS to be publicly available in September or October, as usual. The updated operating system will run on the following Macs:

    • MacBook Air M1 or later
    • MacBook Pro M1 or later
    • MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019
    • MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports
    • iMac 2020 or later
    • Mac mini 2020 or later
    • Mac Pro 2019 or later
    • Mac Studio 2022 and later

    macOS Tahoe 26 will sport the following major features:

    Liquid Glass: This new interface will feature extensive transparency across the interface, complete with a refined dock and toolbars, and a transparent menu bar which allows for the desktop to feel a bit larger. Apple will also offer extensive ways to customize the interface in macOS 26, including adjusting the controls present in the menu bar and Control Center, tinker with the layout, and add controls for your favorite apps. In addition, users can also change the color of folders, and add a symbol (or emoji) to those folders to make them more readily identifiable.

      Improved Spotlight: Apple is powering up its Spotlight feature with Apple Intelligence so it surfaces results that are ranked more intelligently, based on relevance to the user. Spotlight also pops up filtering options to allow you to swiftly whittle down search results, too. The tool can be used to search within apps for features, and adjusts to the user’s search, workflow, and usage patterns to provide more relevant suggestions.

        Improve Continuity: Apple is adding its Continuity features to macOS Tahoe, the big change being its introduction of the Phone all to the Mac. From here, you’ll be able to make or take calls, access voicemail, and benefit from the new features on iPhone as well, such as Call Screening or Hold Assist. Tighter integration is also expected with the Live Activities from the user’s iPhone popping up in the macOS menu bar, and clicking a Live Activity will open the relevant app via iPhone Mirroring.

        Additional Apple Intelligence: Apple will be adding its AI features to its Shortcuts app, which incudes summarizing text using Writing Tools, and image generation via Image Playground. Furthermore, Mac users will be able to access Apple Intelligence models (on-device, or in the cloud) to use as part of their shortcuts. Users can queue up Shortcuts to run at a certain time of day, or when completing a specific action like connecting an external monitor. Apple is also said to be looking to bring its AI-powered Live Translation feature to its Messages app, translating text into another language as you type it (and vice versa for replies). FaceTime will benefit from translated live captions, and calls in the Phone app can be translated as well. Finally, AI will offer additional ways to create Genmoji as desired.

        Apple Games: Apple Games, a dedicated gaming app, will be introduced with macOS Tahoe, the application acting as a hub for your Mac gaming activities, allowing you to jump back into titles you’ve been recently playing. A Game Overlay allows users to quickly adjust settings such as volume and brightness, chat with friends, send invites to them and so forth. A new Low Power Mode is present for MacBooks to give them better battery life when gaming, too. Where developers are concerned, Metal 4 will be arriving with macOS 26, offering access to features such as MetalFX Frame Interpolation (for faster frame rates) and Denoising.

          Additional Accessibility Features: A number of new accessibility features are expected within macOS Tahoe, including Magnifier for Mac, which leverages your iPhone (or USB camera) to be able to zoom in on distant objects and present the content on the board to the user on their Mac’s screen. A new Accessibility Reader feature can take images of book pages and show them on the Mac display, allowing for zooming, or changing fonts or colors to make things clearer. A new Braille Access feature provides an interface for those using a connected braille display, and Vehicle Motion Cues, a feature to help combat motion sickness during a long trip.

            There’s nifty stuff in the works, and as always, stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

            Via TechRadar