6 MacOS Features Linux Should Adopt in 2025

Linux is one of the most powerful and flexible operating systems available today, offering unparalleled customization, open-source transparency, and robust performance across a wide range of hardware. However, despite its strengths in modularity and control, the Linux desktop still lags behind macOS in several key areas of user experience, polish, and ecosystem cohesion. Drawing from two decades of observing Unix-based systems evolve, there are six standout features from macOS that, if thoughtfully adapted, could dramatically enhance Linux’s usability, reliability, and mainstream appeal—without compromising its core principles of freedom and openness. These include seamless system-wide dark mode, unified file tagging, Handoff and Continuity features, the Privacy Report in Safari, optimized font rendering, and the consistency of the System Settings interface. Each of these elements reflects Apple’s deep investment in human-centered design and cross-device harmony—qualities that remain underdeveloped in most Linux distributions.

1. System-Wide Dark Mode with True Consistency

One of the most noticeable usability improvements macOS introduced was system-wide dark mode, first launched in macOS Mojave in 2018 1. Unlike many Linux desktop environments where dark themes often apply inconsistently across applications—especially third-party or legacy GTK/Qt apps—macOS ensures that every native app, system dialog, and menu adopts the selected appearance automatically. This uniformity reduces visual strain, enhances readability, and contributes to a more professional aesthetic.

The implementation in macOS goes beyond simple color inversion; it uses semantic UI definitions so that interface elements adapt intelligently based on context. For example, scrollbars, popovers, and window chrome adjust their opacity and contrast dynamically depending on content beneath them 2. In contrast, even modern Linux desktops like GNOME or KDE Plasma struggle with inconsistent theme application due to fragmented toolkit support and lack of enforced design standards.

A solution for Linux would not require abandoning open-source values but rather establishing stricter theming APIs and encouraging—or requiring—developers to adopt dynamic theme-aware interfaces through standardized libraries. Projects like libadwaita in GNOME are moving in this direction by promoting adaptive, responsive UI components 3, but broader adoption across Qt and non-GNOME applications remains spotty. If all major desktop environments coordinated around a common theming specification, Linux could achieve the same level of visual coherence seen in macOS.

2. Unified File Tagging Across the Ecosystem

File tagging in macOS is one of its most underrated yet powerful organizational tools. Introduced in OS X Mavericks, tags allow users to assign color-coded labels and custom keywords to files that persist across Finder, Spotlight, and even cloud-synced documents via iCloud 4. These tags are stored as extended attributes (xattrs) in the file system, making them accessible programmatically and searchable system-wide.

While Linux supports extended attributes and some file managers like Dolphin (KDE) offer rudimentary tagging, there is no universal standard for how tags should be stored, displayed, or synchronized. As a result, tags set in one application may not appear in another, undermining their utility. Furthermore, most Linux file indexing tools (e.g., Tracker) do not integrate tagging deeply into the desktop shell.

Borrowing macOS’s approach would mean defining a common metadata schema—perhaps building on FreeDesktop.org standards—and ensuring that all compliant file managers, search utilities, and document viewers recognize and respect these tags. Such a system could leverage existing technologies like FUSE, xattrs, and the Portal system used in Flatpak sandboxing to maintain security while enabling rich metadata interoperability 5.

Feature	macOS Implementation	Current Linux Status	Potential Linux Path Forward
System-Wide Dark Mode	Fully supported, consistent across all apps	Inconsistent, depends on toolkit and app	Standardize libadwaita-style theming APIs
File Tagging	Built into Finder, uses xattrs, synced via iCloud	Limited to specific DEs, no standardization	Adopt Freedesktop metadata standard + Tracker integration
Handoff & Continuity	iPhone-Mac integration via Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi	No equivalent, limited clipboard sharing	Improve PipeWire, KDE Connect, add low-level protocol
Privacy Reporting	Safari shows tracker blocking summary daily	No system-level privacy dashboard	Integrate with firewall logs, permission brokers
Font Rendering	Sub-pixel antialiasing tuned for RGB panels	Variably configured, often aliased	Default to ClearType-like tuning with auto-detection
Settings Interface	Single, searchable System Settings app	Fragmented: multiple config tools per DE	Unify under single Settings hub with plugin model

3. Handoff and Continuity Between Devices

Apple’s ecosystem excels at device continuity. Features like Handoff allow users to start an email on an iPhone and finish it on a Mac, while Universal Clipboard enables copying text or images between devices seamlessly 6. This is made possible through tight integration of hardware, operating systems, and cloud services using end-to-end encrypted Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi Direct protocols.

Linux currently lacks any native equivalent. While projects like KDE Connect provide impressive functionality—such as phone notifications on desktop, file transfer, and remote input—they operate independently within specific desktop environments and lack system-wide integration 7. Moreover, they don’t extend to non-Linux devices like Android phones in a truly seamless way.

Implementing something similar would require developing a lightweight, secure peer-to-peer communication framework that works across diverse hardware and networks. The foundation exists: D-Bus for inter-process communication, Avahi for service discovery, and PipeWire for media streaming 8. What’s missing is coordination among distribution maintainers and desktop environment leaders to standardize such a service as part of the base system. A well-designed API could enable developers to plug into a universal device bridge, allowing tasks to resume across machines just as they do on macOS.

4. Privacy Report and Transparency Dashboard

Starting with iOS 15 and later brought to macOS Monterey, Safari’s Privacy Report gives users a clear, daily summary of trackers blocked during browsing sessions 9. It breaks down tracking attempts by website, shows which companies were prevented from profiling the user, and reinforces trust in the platform’s commitment to privacy.

Linux, despite being favored by privacy-conscious users, offers no system-level equivalent. While tools like uBlock Origin or firewall frontends exist, there is no centralized dashboard that aggregates network activity, permission usage, or background telemetry collection across applications. Most users have no visibility into what data apps might be accessing or transmitting.

A macOS-inspired privacy dashboard could integrate with existing components like AppArmor, firewalld, or Flatpak’s permission system to log and report access events. For instance, when a sandboxed application tries to access the microphone, location, or network, the system could record and summarize this behavior over time. Over time, such a feature could become a cornerstone of Linux’s identity as not just free software—but genuinely private and transparent computing.

5. High-Quality Font Rendering Out of the Box

Text clarity is a subtle but critical aspect of user experience. macOS has long been praised for its smooth, readable font rendering, particularly on Retina displays. It uses sub-pixel antialiasing optimized for RGB stripe layouts, along with sophisticated hinting and gamma correction tailored to Apple’s display hardware 10.

Linux font rendering, by comparison, varies widely. Some distributions use aggressive hinting and grayscale antialiasing by default, leading to either overly bold or fuzzy text. Others leave configuration to the user, resulting in inconsistent experiences. While Fontconfig allows fine-tuning, most users never adjust these settings, leaving them with suboptimal readability.

Adopting macOS-style defaults—such as enabling sub-pixel rendering with proper LCD filter alignment and moderate hinting—could dramatically improve perceived polish. Tools like gnome-tweaks or KDE System Settings already expose some options, but setting better defaults at the distribution level (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora) would ensure all users benefit immediately. Additionally, automatic detection of display type (RGB vs. BGR) could prevent color fringing issues common on external monitors.

6. Centralized, Searchable System Settings Interface

macOS consolidates nearly all system preferences into a single, searchable Settings application (formerly System Preferences). Every function—from Bluetooth pairing to Energy Saver settings—is accessible through a unified interface with consistent navigation and layout 11. This reduces cognitive load and makes discovering new features easier.

On Linux, system configuration is notoriously fragmented. Users may need to juggle multiple tools: GNOME Settings, KDE System Settings, command-line utilities, third-party apps, or distribution-specific control panels. Even within a single desktop environment, related settings are often scattered across categories. For example, power management might involve separate sections for screensaver, suspend behavior, and battery thresholds.

A macOS-style overhaul would involve creating a central, modular Settings hub that aggregates configuration modules from various sources—D-Bus services, systemd units, desktop environment controls—into a single, indexed interface. This already begins to happen in GNOME with the ongoing redesign toward a more cohesive look and improved search capability 12, but full realization requires deeper backend unification and cross-DE collaboration.

Conclusion: Learning Without Copying

Linux does not need to become macOS. Its strength lies in openness, modifiability, and diversity. However, borrowing select UX innovations from Apple’s platform can help bridge the gap between technical power and everyday usability. The six features discussed—system-wide dark mode, unified file tagging, device continuity, privacy reporting, refined font rendering, and centralized settings—are not about imitation, but about elevating the user experience through thoughtful design and tighter integration.

These improvements are technically feasible within Linux’s architecture. They require not new code, but better coordination among desktop environment developers, distribution maintainers, and standards bodies like Freedesktop.org. By focusing on consistency, discoverability, and transparency, Linux can retain its soul while becoming more intuitive, reliable, and appealing to a broader audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Linux implement macOS-like features without sacrificing open-source principles?

Absolutely. These features can be built using existing open technologies—D-Bus, extended attributes, PipeWire, and sandboxing frameworks—without relying on proprietary code. The goal is improved design and integration, not closed ecosystems.

Is system-wide dark mode possible on current Linux desktops?

Yes, to an extent. GNOME and KDE offer dark themes, but inconsistencies arise with older or non-native applications. Full parity requires broader adoption of theme-aware toolkits like libadwaita and Qt Style Sheets.

How does macOS handle file tagging at the filesystem level?

macOS stores tags as extended attributes (xattrs) in the HFS+ and APFS file systems. These metadata fields are preserved during local moves and copies, and synced via iCloud Drive 13.

Are there any Linux projects working on device handoff features?

KDE Connect is the most advanced effort, supporting clipboard sync, file transfer, and notification mirroring between Linux and Android devices. Expanding it into a cross-desktop standard could bring true continuity to Linux 14.

Why does font rendering differ so much between macOS and Linux?

macOS uses sub-pixel antialiasing tuned for its displays, while Linux defaults vary by distro and often prioritize compatibility over aesthetics. Adjusting Fontconfig settings can improve results, but better out-of-the-box defaults would help most users.