macOS 26 Users Face System Slowdowns Due to Electron App Compatibility Issue
macOS 26 users are facing system slowdowns due to a compatibility issue with Electron apps. Multiple open Electron apps can cause temporary GPU overload and slow scrolling. The issue is particularly noticeable on fast Apple Silicon Macs.
The problem arises from an incompatibility between macOS 26's new WindowServer and Electron apps' use of custom corner masks on vibrant views. This results in system slowdowns, even when running apps like Discord or VS Code on powerful hardware.
The developer who raised awareness about this bug on Hacker News remains unnamed in search results. However, a detailed blog post by the Trail of Bits team, with Emilio Lopez as a key researcher, discusses the backdooring technique affecting Chrome and Chromium-based browsers, which includes Electron.
A fix is available in several Electron versions (v39.0.0-alpha.7, v38.2.0, v37.6.0, and v36.9.2), but developers must manually update their apps. Additionally, macOS 26.0.1 includes a fix for a separate AutoFill area bug that could also slow down apps.
The incompatibility between macOS 26 and Electron apps is causing system slowdowns and GPU overload. While fixes are available in recent Electron versions and macOS updates, users must rely on developers to update their apps. Minimizing Electron apps while Chrome is open seems to temporarily resolve the issue. Users are advised to keep their apps and operating system up-to-date to mitigate these problems.
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