We want to hear about which apps aren't working right with macOS Tahoe

So far, other than some Liquid Glass controversy, macOS Tahoe isn't causing as many operational problems as previous versions did. Are you having problems with apps?

Having problems with applications in a new macOS version has been evergreen. Perhaps not in fall 2025, though.

At this point in 2024, the then-new macOS Sequoia was causing problems for third-party apps. And the year before that, and the year before that.

Now in 2025, macOS Tahoe is said to be doing the same, but the volume and severity seem to be a lot less. So far, it doesn't appear to us that reports add up to anything significant.

There are some exceptions, of course. FireWire is dead in macOS Tahoe, so if you have something that relies on it, you're out of luck even with the proper cabling. AFS support is going away, sure, but that's not until whatever comes after Tahoe.

There are reports that Raycast and Apple's own Music app are having issues. In AppleInsider testing, they're both working fine. During the beta, Apple did break text apps like Drafts 5, but that's been fixed.

After all, there's a reason Apple runs beta periods.

Similarly, there are now reports of Apple Mail being either slow or failing to find emails during searches. This one is valid, but it's down to how Mail's whole database is being re-indexed by the new OS.

That happens with every major OS update. It's analogous to how battery life is also affected by such updates.

It isn't just that you install the new OS and that's it. There is still more to be done by the Mac for days after you've seen the "Welcome" screen.

From what AppleInsider staff are seeing, reported problems range from this normal settling-in, to ones that could be Tahoe-specific. The only one of those being reported more than once, though, is an issue with the Mac menu bar app Bartender.

Bartender 5 itself says on its splash screen that it isn't compatible with macOS Tahoe, and urges users to update to version 6. At present, while Bartender is in Setapp, version 6 is not so this may be where some people are having issues.

This latest version of the app is available direct from its new developers. Again, in AppleInsider testing, there have been no issues with it.

Tell us what's happening with your apps

The blessing and the curse of the Mac is that there are myriad apps for it, and therefore also myriad different combinations of apps on any one device. It is literally impossible to test for every conceivable issue, and this is why Apple has its beta program.

First, users within Apple will try something. Then third-party developers will, and then lastly there's a beta test for the public.

Each of those increases the number of users testing the software, and therefore the number of real-world issues that can arise.

Yet even that public beta test is nothing compared to the volume of users who won't use the new OS until its formal release.

So while it does not appear that there is anything major wrong with applications in macOS Tahoe, if there is anything outside of Liquid Glass, and it's affecting you, please email AppleInsider or let us know in the forums below.

That's whether you're a user or a developer, too.

It pays to be cautious

It's very easy to assume that an app crashing after you've updated to macOS Tahoe is because of that update. It can be, though, which first of all it's worth waiting at least a few days before updating.

Let other people find the problems and let both Apple and third-party developers fix them.

Plus if you are in the middle of a complex and time-sensitive job, don't ever update anything. Finish that project, and schedule a time to update.

And whether you can update now or have to wait, check every one of your most-used apps. Most apps have a Check for Updates option — although not all — and all of those will show you release notes that will say if the app is compatible with macOS Tahoe.

Otherwise, it's a case of checking the official site for every app that you depend on.

But macOS Tahoe is not beta test software anymore. During the betas, the chances of you having major crashes or even bricking your device are much higher than when the OS has been officially released.