EuroWire, SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has introduced faster wireless connectivity for select Mac and iPad models through recent software updates, improving Wi-Fi performance without a formal announcement in consumer-facing release notes. The enhancement is delivered as part of iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 and affects devices equipped with Wi-Fi 6E hardware. The update increases the maximum supported channel bandwidth on 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, enabling higher data throughput when paired with compatible wireless routers and network configurations.
The performance gain comes from enabling support for 160 MHz channel widths on the 5 GHz band, doubling the previous 80 MHz limit available on supported Apple devices. Channel width determines how much data can be transmitted at once over a wireless connection. By allowing wider channels, Macs and iPads can achieve higher transfer rates under suitable conditions, including strong signal strength and low interference. The change applies at the operating system level and does not require new hardware beyond existing Wi-Fi 6E capability.
Apple devices supporting Wi-Fi 6E have included the necessary radio hardware since their release, but earlier versions of macOS and iPadOS limited use of wider channels on the 5 GHz spectrum. With the latest updates, those restrictions have been lifted for compatible models. Affected products include recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops using Apple silicon, as well as desktop systems such as the iMac and Mac mini. Several iPad Pro and iPad Air models with Wi-Fi 6E support are also included.
Software update enhances performance on existing networks
The 5 GHz band remains widely used across homes, offices, and public networks, even as Wi-Fi 6E expands access to the newer 6 GHz spectrum in some regions. While the 6 GHz band offers less congestion and more available channels, it is not universally supported by routers or permitted in all markets. By enhancing performance on 5 GHz networks, the update allows supported Apple devices to deliver faster speeds on existing infrastructure without requiring access to 6 GHz connectivity.
Users may see improvements in tasks that rely on sustained wireless throughput, including large file transfers, cloud backups, high-resolution media streaming, and software downloads. Actual performance gains depend on several factors, including router support for 160 MHz channels, local regulatory limits, network congestion, and physical distance from access points. Some routers may require manual configuration to enable wider channels, as many default to narrower settings to reduce interference.
Update applies only to Wi-Fi 6E capable devices
Apple did not highlight the expanded Wi-Fi capability in the main release notes accompanying iPadOS 26.2 or macOS Tahoe 26.2. The change became apparent through updated technical documentation and reports from users and developers examining wireless performance after installing the updates. The approach reflects Apple’s practice of delivering certain platform-level improvements through software updates without prominent marketing, particularly when no new hardware is introduced.
The update improves wireless performance within the existing Wi-Fi 6E standard and does not introduce support for newer technologies such as Wi-Fi 7. However, it represents a measurable enhancement for users of current-generation Apple devices operating on compatible networks. As demand for reliable high-speed wireless connectivity continues to grow across mobile and desktop computing, the update provides broader access to higher throughput using widely deployed Wi-Fi infrastructure.
