GitHub Unveils macOS 26 Image in Public Preview for Developers

In a significant update for developers, GitHub has launched the macOS 26 image in public preview, enabling the use of the latest Xcode technology for building and testing iOS applications. This update, announced by The GitHub Blog, allows developers to integrate this new image natively within their GitHub Actions workflow runs.

Supported Labels for macOS 26

The public preview introduces specific labels to facilitate the integration of the macOS 26 image. Developers can utilize the labels macos-26 and macos-26-xlarge in their workflow configurations. These labels must be incorporated into the runs-on: syntax to activate the new image.

Compatibility and Toolset

Notably, the macOS 26 image is designed exclusively for arm64 macOS runners, excluding support for Intel-based runners. This image comes equipped with a distinct set of tools and versions compared to the preceding macOS 15 image. Developers can access the list of installed software or report issues via the runner-images repository.

Industry Impact

This release follows a growing trend in the tech industry to optimize development environments for cutting-edge hardware and software technologies. By aligning with the latest advancements in Xcode, GitHub is positioning itself as a key player in facilitating seamless and efficient iOS app development.

As developers continue to seek improvements in their workflow efficiency and application performance, GitHub's initiative to roll out the macOS 26 image in public preview is expected to garner significant attention and adoption within the developer community.