TL;DR
Apple’s iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 include a change that raises the maximum channel bandwidth to 160MHz on 5GHz for devices that support Wi‑Fi 6E. The upgrade can boost throughput for tasks like large file transfers, provided the network hardware also supports 160MHz on 5GHz.
What happened
Apple shipped iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 last month and, according to platform documentation flagged by MacRumors, adjusted Wi‑Fi limits for certain devices. After the updates, Macs and iPads with Wi‑Fi 6E radios can use up to 160MHz of channel bandwidth on 5GHz networks, doubling the prior 80MHz cap. The change applies only when the device connects to a 5GHz network; it does not require a move to the 6GHz band to approach peak 6GHz throughput. In practice this means eligible machines may see higher wireless speeds and better throughput for large uploads, downloads, and file transfers—but only if the rest of the Wi‑Fi network (router and infrastructure) supports 160MHz on 5GHz. Apple’s support materials contain additional technical details and device lists.
Why it matters
- Greater channel bandwidth on 5GHz can deliver higher peak throughput without switching to 6GHz, benefiting large transfers and bandwidth‑heavy tasks.
- Users with recent Mac and iPad models that include Wi‑Fi 6E can potentially extract more performance from existing 5GHz setups that support 160MHz.
- The improvement is software‑enabled, so eligible devices gain capability via the recent OS updates rather than new hardware purchases.
- Performance gains depend on router and network support; hardware still capped at 80MHz won’t benefit.
Key facts
- The change was identified by MacRumors after examining Apple’s platform deployment guide.
- iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 increase the maximum channel bandwidth on 5GHz from 80MHz to 160MHz for Wi‑Fi 6E devices.
- This adjustment lets some devices achieve throughput approaching 6GHz peak speeds while remaining on a 5GHz network.
- Net speed and throughput improvements are most noticeable for large file transfers, uploads, and downloads.
- If a router or access point is limited to 80MHz on 5GHz, the updated Macs and iPads will not see a benefit.
- Apple provides a support article with more technical and device compatibility details.
- Devices listed as Wi‑Fi 6E capable in the source include MacBook Air (2024+), MacBook Pro (2023+), iMac (2023+), Mac mini (2023+), Mac Studio (2023+), Mac Pro (2023+), iPad Pro 11‑inch (4th gen) and 12.9‑inch (6th gen) or later, iPad Air 11‑inch (M2) and 13‑inch (M2) or later, and iPad mini (A17 Pro) or later.
What to watch next
- Whether router and access point manufacturers start enabling or advertising 160MHz operation on 5GHz more widely — not confirmed in the source.
- Independent benchmarks and user reports measuring real‑world throughput gains after the updates — not confirmed in the source.
- If Apple expands the 160MHz 5GHz capability to additional models in future OS releases — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Wi‑Fi 6E: An extension of the Wi‑Fi 6 standard that adds support for the 6GHz frequency band to increase capacity and reduce interference.
- Channel bandwidth (160MHz): The width of the wireless channel in megahertz; wider channels can carry more data but are more susceptible to interference and require compatible hardware.
- 5GHz band: A Wi‑Fi frequency band offering higher throughput than 2.4GHz and typically less congestion, commonly used for performance‑sensitive traffic.
- Throughput: The actual rate of successful data transfer across a network, often lower than theoretical peak speeds due to overhead and interference.
Reader FAQ
Which Apple devices get this 160MHz 5GHz capability?
The source lists recent Mac models introduced in 2023 or later and certain iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models that support Wi‑Fi 6E; see Apple’s support documentation for the full list.
Do I need a new router to see faster speeds?
You need a network that supports 160MHz operation on 5GHz; routers capped at 80MHz won’t provide gains.
Does this change require switching to the 6GHz band?
No. The update raises the 5GHz channel bandwidth so eligible devices can approach 6GHz peak throughput without moving to 6GHz.
How was this change discovered?
MacRumors spotted the change after reviewing updates in Apple’s platform deployment guide.
Apple Card shake-up may finally happen this year: Here’s the latest Michael Burkhardt Jan 3 2026 AD IPAD MAC iPadOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2 unlock faster Wi-Fi on select devices…
Sources
- iPadOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2 unlock faster Wi-Fi on select devices
- iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 Get Faster Wi-Fi on …
- 26.2 update broke all network-connections
- Apple Releases iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS Tahoe …
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