macOS 26.4 released with new emoji, Safari updates, and Freeform improvements

Apple has released macOS 26.4, introducing new emoji, updates to Safari, and improvements across apps including Freeform, Reminders, and Family Sharing.

The update adds eight new emoji to the system keyboard, including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and a distorted face, expanding the range of expressions available across macOS.

Safari gains a new compact tab bar option designed to give users more screen space while browsing. The updated layout also allows users to search directly from the active tab, streamlining navigation and reducing clutter in the browser interface.

Freeform has been updated with advanced image creation and editing tools, along with access to a premium content library through Apple Creator Studio. The changes are aimed at improving creative workflows for users working on visual projects.

Reminders also sees an update in macOS 26.4, with users now able to mark tasks as urgent using a keyboard shortcut. Urgent reminders can also be filtered within Smart Lists, making it easier to prioritize tasks.

Apple has introduced improvements to Purchase Sharing, allowing adult members of Family Sharing groups to use their own payment methods when making purchases instead of relying on the family organizer.

The update also makes subtitle and caption settings easier to access when viewing media, with real-time previews now available directly from the captions icon, allowing users to quickly adjust how captions appear.