4 Must-Try Features in macOS Sequoia 15.1

Although macOS Sequoia 15.1 is a point release, it brings some handy features that Mac users have been waiting for since WWDC 2024. So, after you update your Mac to this build, make sure you check out these new additions.

1. Writing Tools

Writing Tools is one of the Apple Intelligence features that enhances the user writing experience in macOS Sequoia 15.1. You can use Writing Tools to quickly proofread text or rewrite highlighted text to change the tone of the text. You can also use this tool to quickly summarize and organize selected text.

If you frequently send emails or work on documents, Writing Tools can significantly speed up your workflow, allowing you to edit drafts with just a few clicks. The best part is that you can access and use Writing Tools in any app — not limited to Apple apps.

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To use Writing Tools, highlight the text you want to proofread or edit, hold down the Control key , click the selected text, and select Writing Tools . From the menu that appears, choose whether you want to adjust the tone, summarize the text, or proofread.

Please note that, like other Apple Intelligence features announced at WWDC 2024, you can only access Writing Tools on Apple silicon Macs with the system language set to English (US).

2. Redesigned Siri

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macOS Sequoia 15.1 improves Siri, giving it a fresh new look. You can move the Siri window around on your Mac screen and place it wherever you like. You can also use 'Type to Siri' instead of speaking to it. This is handy when you're using your MacBook in public and don't want to attract unwanted attention by talking to your computer.

Thanks to Apple Intelligence, Siri is also smarter than ever. Siri can understand natural language and handle your commands better even if you're stumped on certain words. Siri's contextual awareness has also been greatly improved; Siri can now understand follow-up questions without any trouble.

Apple's voice assistant can now also help you solve problems you might encounter on your iPhone, Mac, or other Apple products. These simple but important changes make Siri much more useful than before.

3. Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode

Like iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 introduces a new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode powered by Apple Intelligence. As the name suggests, this mode reduces unwanted notifications, prioritizing only important notifications to reduce distraction.

Reduce Interruptions Focus mode is fully customizable, so you can choose which apps and people notifications will always reach. Otherwise, Focus mode uses Apple Intelligence to analyze notification content and only notify you if it's important.

To turn on Reduce Interruptions Focus mode, click the Apple logo in the menu bar, go to System Settings > Focus , and select Reduce Interruptions .

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In addition to Reduce Interruptions Focus, you should also use the notification summary feature in macOS Sequoia 15.1. This feature summarizes stacked notifications so you can quickly see them at a glance.

4. Drag and drop files when using iPhone Mirroring

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iPhone Mirroring is one of the best features of macOS Sequoia. It lets you wirelessly mirror your iPhone screen to your Mac. Even better, you can use your iPhone from your Mac, including running all your apps and games.

With macOS Sequoia 15.1, iPhone Mirroring gets even better. You can now wirelessly transfer files between your Mac and iPhone (and vice versa) with a simple drag-and-drop gesture. This is much more convenient than using AirDrop on your Mac, especially if you use iPhone Mirroring a lot.

You don't need to enable any additional settings to take advantage of this new feature. Open the relevant app on your iPhone and drag the file from your Mac into the projected window. So to transfer photos, open the Photos app on your iPhone through the projected window, then drag the image file from your Mac into it. For PDFs and other documents, you can open the Files app on your iPhone and perform the same gesture.

macOS Sequoia 15.1 has a few other small additions worth considering, like a new Low Power Mode toggle and Apple Intelligence features like the Clean Up tool in the Photos app and Smart Reply in the Mail app.

David Pac

Update 09 December 2024