macOS Sequoia arrived on Macs in September 2024, however the beta improvement continues and if you’re a registered developer or registered as a public beta tester, you may proceed to get the newest updates and check out new options nonetheless not out there to most of the people.
On this article, we’ll clarify what’s within the newest model of the Sequoia beta, what it is advisable to do to get your fingers on a duplicate, find out how to set up it, and what it’s best to keep in mind in the event you don’t wish to find yourself in a pickle. For those who would like to make use of the newest official launch of macOS Sequoia, right here’s find out how to replace macOS in your Mac.
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). Nevertheless, for a few years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered builders with free developer accounts. We clarify find out how to get a free developer account under.
Not that we suggest that it’s best to get the beta in the event you aren’t a developer. Beta software program tends to be buggy and a extra steady public beta model can also be out there.
For those who now not wish to run the beta model of macOS learn this: How one can take away the macOS beta.
macOS developer beta: Newest model
- Apple launched macOS Sequoia 15.5 Launch Candidate 1 to builders on Might 6, 2025.
macOS public beta: Newest model
The general public beta often follows a number of days after the developer beta is launched.
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macOS Sequoia beta timeline
The primary model of the Sequoia developer beta of macOS 15 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 total model of Sequoia arrived on suitable Macs on September 16.
macOS Sequoia 15.1
There have been truly two variations of the developer beta. A second beta was working concurrently with the macOS 15.0 beta improvement. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta included Apple Intelligence options which might be 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. Beta 2 arrived on August 12, 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 of the people. Finally, 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.
macOS Sequoia 15.2
On October 23, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 1 to builders. Model 15.2 launched the second set of Apple Intelligence options. On November 20, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia beta 4 to builders.
On December 5, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.2 Launch Candidate. On December 9, Apple launched the Launched Candidate 2. The official launch of 15.2 was on December 11.
macOS Sequoia 15.3
On December 16, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.3 beta 1 to builders. This beta contains the power to create Gemoji.
On January 7, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.3 beta 2 to builders.
Beta 3 of 15.3 got here on January 16.
Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.3 launch candidate (RC) to builders on January 21.
macOS Sequoia 15.4
On February 19, Apple launched the macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta to builders. It included Mail updates and Proximity Pairing with the iPhone.
On March 10, Apple launched beta 3 to builders.
On March 17, Apple launched beta 4 to builders.
On March 24, Apple launched the Launch Candidate 1 to builders. On March 27, Apple launched a brand new RC that changed the one launched on March 24. On March 28, Apple launched RC 2 to builders and RC 1 to the general public.
macOS Sequoia 15.5
On April 2, Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 beta 1 to builders.
On April 14, Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 beta 2 to builders.
On April 21, Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 beta 3 to builders.
On April 28, Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 beta 4 to builders.
On Might 6, Apple launched the Sequoia 15.5 Launch Candidate 1 to builders.
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. In consequence, folks with a fundamental free developer account can obtain the brand new macOS developer beta (we present you find out how to register under).
Whether or not it’s best to obtain the developer beta in the event you aren’t a developer is one other query. We don’t suggest you put in the developer beta in the event you aren’t a developer. As a substitute, our suggestion is to make use of the general public beta (the primary model of which often arrives in July).
There are a number of variations between the general public and developer betas. The general public beta shouldn’t be the identical because the beta that’s launched by the developer program.
Builders get updates to their beta first, and probably extra steadily. However it’s best to remember the fact that betas are by nature not steady, and since the general public beta comes after the developer beta it could possibly be a little bit safer to put in.
Essentially the most important distinction might be the motive of the testers: Builders often have the intention of making certain their apps work when the up to date macOS is launched to most of the people, whereas public beta testers are primarily 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 is advisable to do, in the event you haven’t already, is be part of Apple’s beta packages learn this for extra data: How one can change into an Apple beta tester.
Apple
How one can get a free developer account
For those who simply desire a free Apple Developer account so you may entry the beta you may get this by way of Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Right here’s find out how to do it by way of 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 common Apple ID.
For those who want to truly publish functions to the App Retailer or obtain help, you’ll have to pay $99/£79 per yr for a paid account. You possibly can examine the free and paid accounts right here.
How one can get the macOS beta
The Sequoia developer beta ought to present up in your Mac if you’re working macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, have paid $99/£79 to enroll in Apple’s Developer program (right here) or when you have a free developer account (observe the directions above).
When the Public Beta turns into out there, it is going to additionally present up in your Mac, so long as you may have signed up for the Public Beta program on Apple’s beta webpage, signed the NDA, and enrolled your Mac.
Earlier than you obtain a number of warnings:
- We strongly advise that in the event 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 Sequoia beta.
- We suggest that you don’t run Sequoia beta in your main Mac; ideally, you run it in a separate quantity. This could decrease any dangers to you.
How one can obtain macOS beta
- Open Software program Updates in your Mac. (System Settings > Basic > Software program Updates.)
- You must 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.
- In case your developer account is tied to a unique Apple ID than your common one, you may change that right here.
- Click on Performed.
- Now your Mac will examine for updates and finally present the Sequoia Developer Beta as an improve. Click on on Improve Now.
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In case you are working macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier:
Apple modified the best way it delivers betas in Ventura 13.4. For those who aren’t but working that model of macOS you have to to obtain the macOS Developer Beta Entry Utility or macOS Public Beta Entry Utility.
For those who had been already working an earlier macOS Public Beta you’ll discover the brand new macOS beta as an improve by way of Software program Replace. Simply click on on Improve Now. You could have to replace to the newest model of your present beta earlier than you are able to do so, if not observe the steps under 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 under).
- Click on Set up.
How one can replace macOS beta variations
As soon as you might be working the beta the updates will come by to your Mac mechanically, you simply have to click on to put in.
- You’ll obtain a notification when the subsequent replace to the beta is out there.
- Updates can be out there by way of Software program Replace (in System Settings/System Preferences)
Every part else it is advisable to learn about beta testing
That covers find out how to get the betas, however after getting them what are you able to do, and what do you have to do? We’ll cowl that under.
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. You probably have a second Mac that isn’t mission-critical then set up it there. We strongly suggest that you just don’t danger all by placing the macOS beta in your main macOS, particularly not within the early days of the beta improvement.
For those who don’t have a second Mac there are a few methods you can run macOS beta in your Mac with out working the danger of shedding knowledge or discovering your Mac stops working:
We talk about the security of the macOS beta and the dangers you may be taking in additional element in a separate article.
If the steadiness of the beta worries you then you might be in all probability higher off ready till the ultimate model is out, or at the least ready till testing has been occurring for a number of months earlier than getting the beta.
How one can put together your Mac for the beta
Replace your software program: We suggest you may have 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 obtainable house as a result of the macOS betas are typically very giant. If you find yourself requiring more room learn: How one can unlock house on Mac. Word that we at all times suggest that you’ve got at the least 10% house free in your Mac at any time, so in the event you don’t have that count on issues!
Again up: Prior to installing a beta in your Mac it’s best to make a backup of your knowledge and recordsdata. You will discover out find out how to use Time Machine to again up your Mac. We even have a round-up of appropriate backup options.
How one can ship suggestions to Apple
Do you have to come throughout an error or a bug it’s best to use the Suggestions Assistant app to offer suggestions to Apple. Launch the app and observe the suitable steps, choosing the world about which you’re offering suggestions after which any particular sub-area. Then describe your difficulty in a single sentence, earlier than offering a extra detailed description, together with any particular steps that reproduce the problem. You’ll additionally be capable of connect different recordsdata.
You’ll even have to present permission for the Suggestions Assistant app to gather diagnostic data out of your Mac.
It gained’t at all times be apparent whether or not one thing is a bug or simply not as simple to make use of as you may need hoped. Both approach, in case your suggestions is that one thing seems to work in an illogical approach, Apple will wish to know that.
In case you are having bother with a third-party app you may let Apple know by reporting it by the Third-party Utility Compatibility class within the Suggestions Assistant. Nevertheless, we’d recommend that you just additionally present suggestions to the app’s developer who will little doubt be grateful.
Will I be capable of replace from macOS beta to the ultimate model?
Beta customers will be capable of set up the ultimate construct of the OS on launch day while not having to reformat or reinstall.
Can I discuss concerning the beta publicly?
In line with Apple and the license settlement all beta testers should conform to, the beta is “Apple confidential data”. By accepting these phrases, you agree to not talk about your use of the software program with anybody who isn’t additionally within the Beta Software program Program. Meaning you may’t “weblog, submit screenshots, tweet, or publicly submit details about the general public beta software program.”
Nevertheless, you may talk about any data that Apple has publicly disclosed; the corporate says that data is now not thought of confidential.
How one can downgrade from the macOS beta
You possibly can at all times 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. If you first startup 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 we even have a tutorial on downgrading to an older model of the Mac OS.
