Every year, Apple updates the Mac operating system. The current version of macOS is macOS 15.5, but development of macOS 26 (not macOS 16) is well underway.
Apple runs a beta program, which means developers and registered public testers can try out new features before they are released to the general public later in the year.
The beta process doesn’t stop with the full release of macOS in the fall. After macOS 15 Sequoia arrived on Macs in September 2024, development continued with new features rolled out every couple of months. The same will be true of the macOS 26 development cycle.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to do to get your hands on a copy of the new beta of macOS 26, how to install it, and what you should bear in mind if you want to avoid problems. (If you would prefer to use the latest official release of macOS, here’s how to update macOS on your Mac.)
Update September 22 2025: Apple released the macOS 26.1 beta.
macOS beta: Latest version
The most recent version of the macOS 26 Tahoe developer beta is version 26.1. It was released on September 22, 2025.
Following WWDC 2025 on June 9, the macOS 26 developer beta is now available to download for those signed up to the program. The “macOS 26” name is part of a coherent annual naming system along with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
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macOS beta: Public beta release date
Apple released the macOS Tahoe public beta on July 24, 2025.
macOS beta: Next beta update
New betas tend to arrive every one to two weeks, and more frequently as the full release data approaches.
The beta testing program will continue to run after the new macOS 26 software launches in September or October 2025, with Apple continuing to roll out new features.
How to get the macOS beta
To get the developer version of the macOS 26 beta, you need to be running macOS Sequoia and be registered for Apple’s developer program, either having paid $99/£79 to enroll in Apple’s Developer program (here) or with a free developer account (follow the instructions below for how to register for that).
Alternatively, if it’s the public beta you are after, you just need to sign up for the Public Beta program on Apple’s beta webpage, sign the NDA, and enroll your Mac. Details of how to do that are below.
As long as you are a registered developer or enrolled in the public beta program, when the relevant macOS Beta becomes available, it will also show up on your Mac.
Before you download the beta, a few warnings:
- We strongly advise that if you aren’t a developer, you don’t download the developer beta.
- We also strongly recommend that you back up your Mac before you upgrade to the macOS beta.
- We recommend that you do not run the macOS beta on your primary Mac; ideally, run it in a separate volume. This should minimize any risks to you.
How to get a free Apple developer account
If you just want a free Apple Developer account so you can access the beta, you can get this via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app on an iPhone:
- Get the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
- Open the app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Account.
- Tap on Sign In.
- Sign in using your usual Apple ID.
If you wish to actually publish applications to the App Store or receive support, you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a paid account. You can compare the free and paid accounts here.
How to register for the macOS public beta
The macOS public beta is accessible to anyone with a valid Apple ID.
- To register, go to the Apple Beta Software Program page.
- Select the “Sign Up” option.
- Sign in using your Apple ID.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the registration process.
- Enrol the Mac you wish to run the beta on via this Apple page.
How to download macOS beta
- Open Software Updates on your Mac. (System Settings > General > Software Updates.)
- You should see two options: Automatic Updates and Beta Updates. Click on the (i) beside Beta Updates.
- You can now turn on Beta Updates (if they weren’t already on).
- Choose the beta you want to download: public or developer.
- If your account is tied to a different Apple ID than your usual one, you can change that here.
- Click Done.
- Now your Mac will check for updates and eventually show the latest macOS Beta as an upgrade. Click on Upgrade Now.
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Do I need the macOS Beta Access Utility?
Only if you are running macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier.
Apple changed the way it delivers betas in Ventura 13.4. If you aren’t yet running that version of macOS you will need to download the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility or macOS Public Beta Access Utility in order to download betas.
If you were already running an earlier macOS Public Beta you’ll find the new macOS beta as an upgrade via Software Update. Just click on Upgrade Now. You may have to update to the latest version of your current beta before you can do so, if not follow the steps below to get the beta access utility.
- If you are enrolled in the Developer Program, go to Apple’s beta download page. Click on Install Profile to download the new macOS Developer Beta Access Utility to your Mac.
- If you are enrolled as a public beta tester, download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility.
- Go to Downloads on your Mac and click on the macOS Beta Access Utility to open it.
- Double-click on the dmg file and the installer will run.
- Once the new macOS beta is installed Software Update will check to see if there are any updates. Click Update and the latest version will download.
- You’ll see a prompt to install the latest macOS beta, click on Continue.
- Agree to the Ts&Cs (more on them below).
- Click Install.
Once you are running the beta, the updates will come through to your Mac automatically; you just need to click to install.
- You will receive a notification when the next update to the beta is available.
- Updates will be available via Software Update (in System Settings/System Preferences)
FAQ
Who can run the macOS beta?
Anyone can run the macOS beta, but to do so, you do need to register for either the developer beta, the pubic beta, or both.
Apple offers both developer and public beta programs for macOS, enabling all interested users to test pre-release versions of the operating system. While both betas provide early access to new features, they cater to different user profiles based on technical expertise and risk tolerance. Beta software tends to be buggy so the more stable public beta version may be preferable, but even that will not be bug-free.
In the past, the developer beta was only available to developers who had paid to join Apple’s Developer Program (which costs $99/£79). However, for a couple of years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered developers with free developer accounts. We explain how to get a free developer account below.
If you decide you no longer want to run the beta version of macOS read this: How to remove the macOS beta.
macOS public beta vs developer beta
Since 2023, the Developer Beta has been available to anyone who registers as a developer, even if they aren’t a paid-up member of Apple’s Developer Program. As a result, people with a basic free developer account can download the new macOS developer beta (we show you how to register below).
Whether you should download the developer beta if you aren’t a developer is another question. We don’t recommend you install the developer beta if you aren’t a developer. Instead, our recommendation is to use the public beta (the first version of which usually arrives in July).
There are a few differences between the public and developer betas. The public beta is not the same as the beta that is released through the developer program. The public beta typically launches after the developer beta has undergone initial testing and refinement
Developers get updates to their beta first, and possibly more frequently. But you should keep in mind that betas are by nature not stable, and because the public beta comes after the developer beta it could be a little safer to install.
The most significant difference is probably the motive of the testers: Developers usually have the aim of ensuring their apps work when the updated macOS is released to the general public, while public beta testers are essentially helping Apple detect bugs and offering feedback on the features. Because of this, developers may get to test new features not available in the public beta.
If you want to get the public beta the first thing you need to do, if you haven’t already, is join Apple’s beta programs read this for more information: How to become an Apple beta tester.
Is the macOS beta stable?
By its nature, a beta has the potential to be unstable. Therefore, it’s not advised that you install it on a Mac that you rely on. If you have a second Mac that isn’t mission-critical, then install it there. We strongly recommend that you don’t risk all by putting the macOS beta on your primary macOS, especially not in the early days of the beta development.
If you don’t have a second Mac, there are a couple of ways you could run macOS beta on your Mac without running the risk of losing data or finding your Mac stops working:
- We recommend installing it on a partition, which these days is really a volume (and is much easier to create than a partition was). Read about how to do that here: How to dual-boot Mac: Run two versions of macOS on a Mac.
- Alternatively, you could install the macOS beta on an external drive and run it on that.
We discuss the safety of the macOS beta and the risks you might be taking in more detail in a separate article.
If the stability of the beta worries you, then you are probably better off waiting until the final version is out, or at least waiting until testing has been happening for a few months before getting the beta.
How to prepare your Mac for the beta
Update your software: We recommend you have the latest full version of macOS installed, although Apple says that the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility requires macOS 10.8 or later.
Make space: We’d recommend at least 15GB of available space because the macOS betas tend to be very large. If you end up requiring more space, read: How to free up space on Mac. Note that we always recommend that you have at least 10% space free on your Mac at any time, so if you don’t have that, expect problems!
Back up: Before you install a beta on your Mac, you should make a backup of your data and files. You can find out how to use Time Machine to back up your Mac. We also have a round-up of suitable backup solutions.
How to send feedback to Apple
Should you come across an error or a bug, you should use the Feedback Assistant app to provide feedback to Apple. Launch the app and follow the appropriate steps, selecting the area about which you’re providing feedback and then any specific sub-area. Then describe your issue in a single sentence, before providing a more detailed description, including any specific steps that reproduce the issue. You’ll also be able to attach other files.
You’ll also have to give permission for the Feedback Assistant app to collect diagnostic information from your Mac.
It won’t always be obvious whether something is a bug or just not as easy to use as you might have hoped. Either way, if your feedback is that something appears to work in an illogical way, Apple will want to know that.
If you are having trouble with a third-party app, you can let Apple know by reporting it through the 3rd-party Application Compatibility category in the Feedback Assistant. However, we’d suggest that you also provide feedback to the app’s developer, who will no doubt be grateful.
Will I be able to update from macOS beta to the final version?
Beta users will be able to install the final build of the OS on release day without needing to reformat or reinstall.
Can I talk about the beta publicly?
According to Apple and the license agreement all beta testers must agree to, the beta is “Apple confidential information”. By accepting those terms, you agree not to discuss your use of the software with anyone who isn’t also in the Beta Software Program. That means you can’t “blog, post screenshots, tweet, or publicly post information about the public beta software.”
However, you can discuss any information that Apple has publicly disclosed; the company says that information is no longer considered confidential.
How to downgrade from the macOS beta
You can always revert to an earlier version of macOS, though depending on how you back up, it’s not necessarily a painless process.
Start by making sure the data on your drive is backed up, then erase the drive and install the latest public version of macOS. When you first start up your Mac, you can use the Migration Assistant to import your data from the backup. Here’s a more detailed tutorial on downgrading from the macOS beta and we also have a tutorial on downgrading to an older version of the Mac OS.
macOS Sonoma beta timeline
To get an idea of what to expect for the macOS 26 beta timeline, here’s how the macOS Sequoia beta rolled out in 2024.
- The first version of the macOS 15 Sequoia developer beta arrived after the WWDC keynote on June 10, 2024.
- Beta 2 arrived on June 24.
- The first public beta of Sequoia arrived on July 15, 2024.
- Developer beta 4 was released on July 23. The second public beta also arrived on July 23, 2024.
- Developer beta 5 arrived on August 5 followed by the third public beta.
- Apple released 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 were released on August 20.
- On August 28, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15 beta 8 and the sixth public beta of Sequoia. The release candidate of Sequoia arrived on September 9. The full version of Sequoia arrived on compatible Macs on September 16.
There were actually two versions of the developer beta running concurrently. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta included Apple Intelligence features that are only available on M-series Macs (a iOS 18.1 beta was also in development separately with Apple Intelligence features for compatible iPhones).
- Apple started 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 released to developers on August 28.
Initially, this beta was only for developers, but Apple released a macOS Sequoia 15.1 pubic beta on September 19, 2024, following the release of Sequoia to the general public. Eventually, the macOS Sequoia 15.1 release candidate was released on October 21, and a second release candidate 2 was released on October 24. The final version of macOS Sequoia 15.1 arrived on compatible Macs on October 28.
After the macOS Sequoia full release, the beta continued:
- macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta – arrived September 19, 2024
- macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta- arrived October 23, 2024. Including a second set of Apple Intelligence features. The official release of 15.2 was on December 11.
- macOS Sequoia 15.3 beta – arrived December 16, 2024. Including the ability to create Gemoji. Release Candidate available on January 2.
- macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta – arrived on February 19, 2025. Included Mail updates and Proximity Pairing with the iPhone. Release Candidate available on March 28.
- macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta – arrived April 2, 2025. Apple released the Sequoia 15.5 beta 1 to developers. Out May 12, 2024.
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.