Apple's 'Presto' Wireless Update Tech May Soon Reach the Mac - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's 'Presto' Wireless Update Tech May Soon Reach the Mac

Apple is able to wirelessly update iPhones that are still in the box using a proprietary system called "Presto," and now 9to5Mac claims that the technology is going to be expanded to the Mac.

M4 MacBook Air 13 and 15 inch Feature Pink and Yellow
With Presto, Apple Store employees can place a sealed iPhone box on the Presto shelf. The iPhone then turns on, and the software the iPhone is running is updated to the latest available version. The process takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and it allows iPhones be updated to Apple's newest software before being sold to a customer.

There are hints of a similar Presto option for the Mac in the third beta of macOS Tahoe. As with the iPhone, Macs could be updated to the newest software ahead of when they're sold, which would prevent customers from having to do day-one updates after purchasing a product.

It's not clear how a Presto for Mac feature would work, given that the iPhone version relies on NFC and Macs don't have an NFC chip inside, nor is it known when the functionality could roll out to Apple's retail stores.

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during the term, ...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...

Top Rated Comments

insomniac86 Avatar
14 months ago

OS is still signed by Apple. It’s not open to any OS
Until there's a bug to exploit.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sharky II Avatar
14 months ago
Off no longer means off. Privacy is truly dead, huh?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ijordano Avatar
14 months ago

Off no longer means off. Privacy is truly dead, huh?
Off has never meant off with a device that has a digital power button
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
insomniac86 Avatar
14 months ago

Off no longer means off. Privacy is truly dead, huh?
Yeah I was thinking how this could be exploited. Could be a really nice backdoor.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
racerhomie Avatar
14 months ago

Yeah I was thinking how this could be exploited. Could be a really nice backdoor.
OS is still signed by Apple. It’s not open to any OS
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wood1208 Avatar
14 months ago
What happens if sealed iPhone in box is out of juice while being updated? Hope, Presto shelf is also able to charge iPhone while updating software.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)