Apple has been developing a system known as Presto, which enables wireless updates for sealed iPhones. This innovation allows customers to unbox devices that are already equipped with the latest version of iOS, regardless of how long they have been in stock.
The company is now extending this concept to its Mac line.
With the recent release of macOS Tahoe 26 beta 3, Apple is laying the groundwork for a similar sealed-device update system for Macs, paralleling the Presto process used for iPhones. This infrastructure would theoretically allow Apple to ship hardware in advance and wirelessly update the system just before the products reach store shelves. This would be particularly advantageous for tight product launch schedules, where software and hardware teams are simultaneously racing toward the release date.
Moreover, this system would help avoid scenarios like the iPhone 15 launch, where devices shipped from the factory with iOS 17.0 required a day-one update to iOS 17.0.1 to prevent activation and data transfer issues during setup.
This development could pave the way for devices that come pre-associated with the user’s Apple Account right out of the box, should Apple choose to pursue that direction.
A key question remains: could Apple use its existing device setup for this new system?
The Presto mechanism employs a proprietary Mac mini-based unit, described as a “two-slot toaster,” capable of updating up to six iPhones simultaneously. This system can remotely power on an iPhone, install an update, and power it down, all without opening the packaging.
Introducing a similar process for Macs brings various questions to the forefront, particularly how the update process would be initiated. On the iPhone, the update is triggered by NFC technology, but existing Macs do not currently feature an NFC chip.
However, it’s plausible that Apple might reintroduce NFC hardware specifically for this purpose, or utilize the Bluetooth feature that keeps iPhones discoverable even when powered off.
At this point, it remains uncertain if this update solution will be implemented in retail environments. Nonetheless, Apple is clearly laying the foundation for such advancements.
