Yearly, Apple updates the Mac working system. The present model of macOS is macOS 15.5, however improvement of macOS 26 (not macOS 16) is nicely underway.
Apple runs a beta program, which suggests builders and registered public testers can check out new options earlier than they’re launched to most people later within the 12 months.
The beta course of doesn’t cease with the complete launch of macOS within the fall. After macOS 15 Sequoia arrived on Macs in September 2024, improvement continued with new options rolled out each couple of months. The identical shall be true of the macOS 26 improvement cycle.
On this article, we’ll clarify what it’s good to do to get your arms on a replica of the brand new beta of macOS 26, the way to set up it, and what it is best to keep in mind if you wish to keep away from issues. (If you happen to would like to make use of the newest official launch of macOS, right here’s the way to replace macOS in your Mac.)
Replace January 12, 2026: Apple launched the macOS 26.3 beta 2.
macOS beta: Newest model
The newest model of the macOS 26 Tahoe developer beta is model 26.3. It was launched on December 15, 2025.
Following WWDC 2025 on June 9, the macOS 26 developer beta is now out there to obtain for these signed as much as this system. The “macOS 26” title is a part of a coherent annual naming system together with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
Foundry
macOS beta: Subsequent beta replace
New betas are inclined to arrive each one to 2 weeks, and extra incessantly as the complete launch knowledge approaches.
The beta testing program will proceed to run after the brand new macOS 26 software program launches in September or October 2025, with Apple persevering with to roll out new options.
How you can get the macOS beta
To get the developer model of the macOS 26 beta, it’s good to be operating macOS Sequoia and be registered for Apple’s developer program, both having paid $99/£79 to enroll in Apple’s Developer program (right here) or with a free developer account (observe the directions beneath for the way to register for that).
Alternatively, if it’s the general public beta you’re after, you simply want to enroll in the Public Beta program on Apple’s beta webpage, signal the NDA, and enroll your Mac. Particulars of how to do this are beneath.
So long as you’re a registered developer or enrolled within the public beta program, when the related macOS Beta turns into out there, it can additionally present up in your Mac.
Earlier than you obtain the beta, just a few warnings:
- We strongly advise that should you aren’t a developer, you don’t obtain the developer beta.
- We additionally strongly suggest that you just again up your Mac earlier than you improve to the macOS beta.
- We suggest that you don’t run the macOS beta in your major Mac; ideally, run it in a separate quantity. This could reduce any dangers to you.
How you can get a free Apple developer account
If you happen to simply desire a free Apple Developer account so you’ll be able to entry the beta, you will get this through Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Right here’s the way to do it through the Apple Developer app on an iPhone:
- Get the Apple Developer App from the App Retailer.
- Open the app in your iPhone.
- Faucet on Account.
- Faucet on Signal In.
- Register utilizing your typical Apple ID.
If you happen to want to truly publish functions to the App Retailer or obtain assist, you’ll have to pay $99/£79 per 12 months for a paid account. You may evaluate the free and paid accounts right here.
How you can register for the macOS public beta
The macOS public beta is accessible to anybody with a legitimate Apple ID.
- To register, go to the Apple Beta Software program Program web page.
- Choose the “Signal Up” choice.
- Register utilizing your Apple ID.
- Observe the on-screen prompts to finish the registration course of.
- Enrol the Mac you want to run the beta on through this Apple web page.
How you can obtain macOS beta
- Open Software program Updates in your Mac. (System Settings > Common > Software program Updates.)
- It is best to see two choices: Automated Updates and Beta Updates. Click on on the (i) beside Beta Updates.
- Now you can activate Beta Updates (in the event that they weren’t already on).
- Select the beta you wish to obtain: public or developer.
- In case your account is tied to a special Apple ID than your typical one, you’ll be able to change that right here.
- Click on Executed.
- Now your Mac will examine for updates and ultimately present the newest macOS Beta as an improve. Click on on Improve Now.
Foundry
Do I would like the macOS Beta Entry Utility?
Solely in case you are operating macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier.
Apple modified the best way it delivers betas in Ventura 13.4. If you happen to aren’t but operating that model of macOS you will want to obtain the macOS Developer Beta Entry Utility or macOS Public Beta Entry Utility so as to obtain betas.
If you happen to had been already operating an earlier macOS Public Beta you’ll discover the brand new macOS beta as an improve through Software program Replace. Simply click on on Improve Now. You will have to replace to the newest model of your present beta earlier than you are able to do so, if not observe the steps beneath to get the beta entry utility.
- In case you are enrolled within the Developer Program, go to Apple’s beta obtain web page. Click on on Set up Profile to obtain the brand new macOS Developer Beta Entry Utility to your Mac.
- In case you are enrolled as a public beta tester, obtain the macOS Public Beta Entry Utility.
- Go to Downloads in your Mac and click on on the macOS Beta Entry Utility to open it.
- Double-click on the dmg file and the installer will run.
- As soon as the brand new macOS beta is put in Software program Replace will examine to see if there are any updates. Click on Replace and the newest model will obtain.
- You’ll see a immediate to put in the newest macOS beta, click on on Proceed.
- Conform to the Ts&Cs (extra on them beneath).
- Click on Set up.
As soon as you’re operating the beta, the updates will come by way of to your Mac routinely; you simply have to click on to put in.
- You’ll obtain a notification when the following replace to the beta is offered.
- Updates shall be out there through Software program Replace (in System Settings/System Preferences)
FAQ
Who can run the macOS beta?
Anybody can run the macOS beta, however to take action, you do have to register for both the developer beta, the pubic beta, or each.
Apple affords each developer and public beta packages for macOS, enabling all customers to check pre-release variations of the working system. Whereas each betas present early entry to new options, they cater to completely different consumer profiles based mostly on technical experience and threat tolerance. Beta software program tends to be buggy so the extra steady public beta model could also be preferable, however even that won’t be bug-free.
Prior to now, the developer beta was solely out there to builders who had paid to hitch Apple’s Developer Program (which prices $99/£79). Nonetheless, for a few years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered builders with free developer accounts. We clarify the way to get a free developer account beneath.
If you happen to determine you not wish to run the beta model of macOS learn this: How you can take away the macOS beta.
macOS public beta vs developer beta
Since 2023, the Developer Beta has been out there to anybody who registers as a developer, even when they aren’t a paid-up member of Apple’s Developer Program. Because of this, individuals with a fundamental free developer account can obtain the brand new macOS developer beta (we present you the way to register beneath).
Whether or not it is best to obtain the developer beta should you aren’t a developer is one other query. We don’t suggest you put in the developer beta should you aren’t a developer. As a substitute, our suggestion is to make use of the general public beta (the primary model of which normally arrives in July).
There are just a few variations between the general public and developer betas. The general public beta isn’t the identical because the beta that’s launched by way of the developer program. The general public beta usually launches after the developer beta has undergone preliminary testing and refinement
Builders get updates to their beta first, and presumably extra incessantly. However it is best to take into account that betas are by nature not steady, and since the general public beta comes after the developer beta it may very well be slightly safer to put in.
Essentially the most important distinction might be the motive of the testers: Builders normally have the intention of guaranteeing their apps work when the up to date macOS is launched to most people, whereas public beta testers are basically serving to Apple detect bugs and providing suggestions on the options. Due to this, builders could get to check new options not out there within the public beta.
If you wish to get the general public beta the very first thing it’s good to do, should you haven’t already, is be part of Apple’s beta packages learn this for extra data: How you can develop into an Apple beta tester.
Is the macOS beta steady?
By its nature, a beta has the potential to be unstable. Due to this fact, it’s not suggested that you just set up it on a Mac that you just depend on. When you’ve got a second Mac that isn’t mission-critical, then set up it there. We strongly suggest that you just don’t threat all by placing the macOS beta in your major macOS, particularly not within the early days of the beta improvement.
If you happen to don’t have a second Mac, there are a few methods you may run macOS beta in your Mac with out operating the danger of shedding knowledge or discovering your Mac stops working:
We focus on the security of the macOS beta and the dangers you is perhaps taking in additional element in a separate article.
If the steadiness of the beta worries you, then you’re in all probability higher off ready till the ultimate model is out, or at the least ready till testing has been occurring for just a few months earlier than getting the beta.
How you can put together your Mac for the beta
Replace your software program: We suggest you have got the newest full model of macOS put in, though Apple says that the macOS Developer Beta Entry Utility requires macOS 10.8 or later.
Make house: We’d suggest at the least 15GB of accessible house as a result of the macOS betas are usually very massive. If you find yourself requiring more room, learn: How you can unlock house on Mac. Observe that we all the time suggest that you’ve at the least 10% house free in your Mac at any time, so should you don’t have that, count on issues!
Again up: Prior to installing a beta in your Mac, it is best to make a backup of your knowledge and information. You could find out the way to use Time Machine to again up your Mac. We even have a round-up of appropriate backup options.
How you can ship suggestions to Apple
Do you have to come throughout an error or a bug, it is best to use the Suggestions Assistant app to offer suggestions to Apple. Launch the app and observe the suitable steps, deciding on the realm about which you’re offering suggestions after which any particular sub-area. Then describe your situation in a single sentence, earlier than offering a extra detailed description, together with any particular steps that reproduce the problem. You’ll additionally have the ability to connect different information.
You’ll even have to provide permission for the Suggestions Assistant app to gather diagnostic data out of your Mac.
It gained’t all the time be apparent whether or not one thing is a bug or simply not as straightforward to make use of as you may need hoped. Both manner, in case your suggestions is that one thing seems to work in an illogical manner, Apple will wish to know that.
In case you are having bother with a third-party app, you’ll be able to let Apple know by reporting it by way of the Third-party Utility Compatibility class within the Suggestions Assistant. Nonetheless, we’d counsel that you just additionally present suggestions to the app’s developer, who will little question be grateful.
Will I have the ability to replace from macOS beta to the ultimate model?
Beta customers will have the ability to set up the ultimate construct of the OS on launch day with no need to reformat or reinstall.
Can I discuss in regards to the beta publicly?
Based on Apple and the license settlement all beta testers should comply with, the beta is “Apple confidential data”. By accepting these phrases, you agree to not focus on your use of the software program with anybody who isn’t additionally within the Beta Software program Program. Meaning you’ll be able to’t “weblog, publish screenshots, tweet, or publicly publish details about the general public beta software program.”
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to focus on any data that Apple has publicly disclosed; the corporate says that data is not thought of confidential.
How you can downgrade from the macOS beta
You may all the time revert to an earlier model of macOS, although relying on the way you again up, it’s not essentially a painless course of.
Begin by ensuring the information in your drive is backed up, then erase the drive and set up the newest public model of macOS. While you first begin up your Mac, you should use the Migration Assistant to import your knowledge from the backup. Right here’s a extra detailed tutorial on downgrading from the macOS beta and we even have a tutorial on downgrading to an older model of the Mac OS.
macOS Sonoma beta timeline
To get an concept of what to anticipate for the macOS 26 beta timeline, right here’s how the macOS Sequoia beta rolled out in 2024.
- The primary model of the macOS 15 Sequoia developer beta arrived after the WWDC keynote on June 10, 2024.
- Beta 2 arrived on June 24.
- The primary public beta of Sequoia arrived on July 15, 2024.
- Developer beta 4 was launched on July 23. The second public beta additionally arrived on July 23, 2024.
- Developer beta 5 arrived on August 5 adopted by the third public beta.
- Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 6 on August 12. The fourth public beta of Sequoia arrived on August 13, 2024.
- Developer beta 7 and the fifth public beta of Sequoia had been launched on August 20.
- On August 28, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15 beta 8 and the sixth public beta of Sequoia. The discharge candidate of Sequoia arrived on September 9. The complete model of Sequoia arrived on suitable Macs on September 16.
There have been truly two variations of the developer beta operating concurrently. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta included Apple Intelligence options which are solely out there on M-series Macs (a iOS 18.1 beta was additionally in improvement individually with Apple Intelligence options for suitable iPhones).
- Apple began work on the macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta on July 29.
- macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 2 arrived on August 12.
- macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 3 was launched to builders on August 28.
Initially, this beta was just for builders, however Apple launched a macOS Sequoia 15.1 pubic beta on September 19, 2024, following the discharge of Sequoia to most people. Ultimately, the macOS Sequoia 15.1 launch candidate was launched on October 21, and a second launch candidate 2 was launched on October 24. The ultimate model of macOS Sequoia 15.1 arrived on suitable Macs on October 28.
After the macOS Sequoia full launch, the beta continued:
- macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta – arrived September 19, 2024
- macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta- arrived October 23, 2024. Together with a second set of Apple Intelligence options. The official launch of 15.2 was on December 11.
- macOS Sequoia 15.3 beta – arrived December 16, 2024. Together with the power to create Gemoji. Launch Candidate out there on January 2.
- macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta – arrived on February 19, 2025. Included Mail updates and Proximity Pairing with the iPhone. Launch Candidate out there on March 28.
- macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta – arrived April 2, 2025. Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 beta 1 to builders. Out Could 12, 2024.
