Apple makes Macs and iPads significantly faster on 5 GHz Wi-Fi

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With iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2, Apple quietly and without much marketing hype made a significant adjustment. The Wi-Fi performance of select Macs and iPads was improved, specifically in the widely used 5 GHz band. For devices with Wi-Fi 6E, this means considerably more bandwidth and therefore faster speeds in everyday use.

Wi-Fi has long been one of the central interfaces for iPads and Macs. File transfers, cloud backups, video streaming, and remote work all depend directly on stable and fast wireless connections. While 6 GHz Wi-Fi is often considered a future technology, the majority of networks still operate on 5 GHz. This is precisely where Apple is focusing its efforts with the new operating system versions.

Doubled 5GHz bandwidth with iPadOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2

With the latest updates, certain Macs and iPads now support a maximum channel bandwidth of 160 MHz on 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Previously, these devices were limited to 80 MHz. Technically, the theoretical maximum throughput is now equivalent to what is possible over 6 GHz networks.

This change is documented in the updated Wi-Fi specifications in Apple's Platform Deployment Guide and applies only to devices that support Wi-Fi 6E.

Which devices will benefit from the change?

The extended bandwidth is available for the following models, among others:

iPad Pro with M4
iPad Air with M3
iPad mini with A17 Pro
MacBook Pro models from M2 to M5
MacBook Air models with M2, M3 and M4
more Macs and iPads with Wi-Fi 6E support

All the devices mentioned can now use channels with up to 160 MHz in the 5 GHz band, provided the WLAN network allows this.

Practical implications in everyday life

Under ideal conditions, a channel bandwidth of 160 MHz enables significantly higher data rates. In practice, this manifests itself in:

Faster file transfers on the local network
Shorter upload times for cloud services
More stable and smoother streaming, even at high resolutions

Since 5 GHz networks are far more widespread than 6 GHz networks, this step is particularly significant. The achievable speed approaches that of 6 GHz without requiring a switch to a new frequency band.

Technical requirements and limitations

The performance gain depends heavily on the existing router hardware. Only Wi-Fi routers that support 160 MHz in the 5 GHz band can utilize the full potential. If the router is limited to 80 MHz, the connection speed will remain unchanged even with updated Macs and iPads.

It is also important that the configuration is Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E. Older Wi-Fi standards do not benefit from the change.

5 GHz remains relevant despite 6 GHz

Even though the 5 GHz bandwidth has been significantly increased, 6 GHz networks still retain their advantages. They offer a larger available frequency spectrum and are generally less congested. This can lead to more stable connections, especially in densely populated wireless environments.

However, 6 GHz networks require new routers and compatible devices. This is precisely where the advantage of Apple's recent change lies: increased performance on existing 5 GHz networks without necessarily having to purchase new hardware.

Apple significantly improves Wi-Fi performance in the 5 GHz band

With iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2, Apple is specifically optimizing a technology that is already firmly established in everyday use. Doubling the 5 GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth to 160 MHz brings a noticeable speed advantage to Wi-Fi 6E-enabled Macs and iPads. Especially since many networks still rely on 5 GHz, this adjustment is practical and relevant, even without switching to 6 GHz Wi-Fi. (Image: Shutterstock / Farknot Architect)