Thinking About Upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26? Read This First!

Apple has just rolled out its latest operating system, macOS 26, also known as “Tahoe.” It’s always exciting to see the new capabilities and features that come with a major OS release. However, before you click that “Upgrade Now” button, we have some important guidance to share.

Hold Off on the Upgrade for Now

To ensure a smooth and secure transition for everyone, CELS IT is asking all users to delay the upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26. We are putting a temporary 90-day deferment in place for this new release.

Why the Wait?

Your Mac isn’t just running macOS; it’s also running several critical applications in the background to keep it secure, compliant, and connected to the lab’s network. These include our Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tool, vulnerability scanners, and asset inventory software. These tools are our first line of defense and are required to protect your work and the laboratory from cyber threats.

After a major OS release, software vendors need time to test and update their applications to ensure they work correctly. Our cautious approach, which is a standard practice in the industry, is to wait for vendors to release compatible versions of their software before we approve a new OS for widespread use. This prevents potential conflicts that could leave your machine unprotected or unstable.

Our Plan

We are already in contact with our vendors and our Cyber Security Program Office to begin the validation process. We will be testing to confirm that all essential security tools run smoothly on macOS Tahoe 26.

The 90-day deferment period is a conservative estimate, ending around December 13, 2025. We are hopeful that we can complete our testing and give the “all-clear” much sooner. We will notify everyone as soon as the upgrade is approved.

What If You Absolutely Need to Upgrade?

We understand that some projects may require the latest OS. If you have a compelling business or research need to upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26 before it is officially approved, you can request an exemption by emailing us at [email protected].

Please be advised that upgrading early comes with risks. Your computer will be out of compliance with our security policies, which could raise alerts with our cybersecurity team and may create issues for you when taking your computer on travel.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure our systems remain secure and reliable. Stay tuned for more updates.

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CELS IT