Those that personal a Mac or iPad and want to enhance their machine’s Wi-Fi pace are in luck. Apple has launched free software program updates for quite a few fashions in each product traces that supply precisely this.
iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 had been rolled out halfway via December, however this characteristic wasn’t seen on the time. Solely now has it been noticed that they comprise an enchancment to Wi-Fi efficiency.
As noticed by MacRumors and confirmed by up to date tech specs in an Apple assist doc, iPads and Macs outfitted with Wi-Fi 6E are actually able to a most channel bandwidth of 160MHz when linked to 5GHz Wi-Fi. That’s double the earlier restrict of 80MHz, and matches what was already supplied on 6GHz networks (that are far much less widespread, and require newer router {hardware}). In different phrases, now you can get the graceful streaming, speedy file transfers, and different advantages of 6GHz’s increased bandwidth restrict, with out the difficulties of really connecting to 6GHz.
Thankfully, loads of iPads and Macs assist Wi-Fi 6E. The iPad Professional M2 and later, the iPad Air M2 and later, and the iPad mini A17 Professional all achieve this. As do the MacBook Professional M2 (Professional/Max) and later, the MacBook Air M3 and later, the iMac M3 and later, the Mac mini M2 and later, and the Mac Studio M2 (Max/Extremely) and later. Homeowners of a normal iPad miss out, as do Mac Professional customers, although anybody utilizing one in all probability has it hooked as much as an Ethernet cable anyway.
iPhone 16 and 17 fashions already assist this increased bandwidth, in addition to the iPhone 15 Professional.
To not point out that the software program updates comprise different new options and tweaks which can be value having. macOS Tahoe 26.2, for instance, provides a brand new ‘Edge Gentle’ for improved video calls and brings new AI options to the Mac Studio. iPadOS 26.2, in the meantime, is full of essential safety updates, together with a pair of zero-day WebKit flaws.
To replace iPadOS in your iPad, open the Settings app and go to Basic > Software program Replace. The system will let you know if any new updates can be found; if there are, merely comply with the directions to put in them. On Mac, open System Settings and go to Basic > Software program Replace.
