macOS · System
Enroll In Public Or Developer macOS Betas
Beta Updates lets you opt this Mac into pre-release macOS software — either the public beta or, with a developer account, the developer beta — so you can try upcoming features before they're officially released. Beta software is less stable and should only run on a Mac you don't depend on daily.
How to open Beta Updates
- Open System Settings → General → Software Update.
- Click the info button (ⓘ) next to 'Beta Updates'.
- Choose the beta track you want to enroll in, or select 'Off' to opt out.
- Return to Software Update and install the beta version when it appears.
What you should know
- Choose between no beta program, the public beta, or a developer beta track.
- Beta installs appear alongside regular options in Software Update once enrolled.
- You can opt out at any time, though downgrading a beta version usually requires a full reinstall.
- Beta updates can include experimental features not yet finalized for public release.
Beta software can be unstable, drain battery faster, and break third-party apps — avoid installing it on your primary work Mac.
Why it matters
Betas let developers test app compatibility ahead of public release and let enthusiasts try new features early, but running unfinished software on a Mac you rely on for work or important files risks data loss and unexpected crashes. Understanding the tradeoff keeps beta enthusiasm from turning into a real outage.
Best practices
- Only install betas on a secondary Mac or a separate partition, never your only Mac.
- Back up fully with Time Machine immediately before installing any beta.
- Opt out of the beta program well before the next major macOS release if you want to return to stable software cleanly.
Common problems and fixes
- An app stops working correctly after installing a beta.
- Check the developer's site for a compatibility update, or avoid using that app until you return to a stable macOS release.
- You want to leave the beta program and go back to a stable release.
- Turn off Beta Updates in Software Update, then reinstall macOS from Recovery Mode using the latest stable version, restoring from a pre-beta backup.
Tips and tricks
- Install betas on an external bootable drive to test new features without touching your main system volume.
Frequently asked questions
Is the public beta the same as the developer beta?
They're closely related but the developer beta is typically released earlier and requires a (free or paid) Apple Developer account, while the public beta is open to anyone and arrives slightly later.
Can I downgrade from a beta back to a stable macOS version without losing data?
Not directly — you generally need to erase the disk and reinstall a stable macOS version, then restore your data from a backup made before installing the beta.
Related settings
- Software UpdateSoftware Update in System Settings keeps macOS current with the latest security fixes, features, and app compatibility improvements. Regular updates help keep your Mac fast, stable, and protected.
- Automatic UpdatesThis is the set of individual toggles inside Software Update that decide whether macOS checks for updates, downloads them, and installs security responses, system files, and app updates without asking you each time. You can automate the whole pipeline or keep manual approval at any step.
- Time Machine BackupTime Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac — apps, accounts, preferences, and files — to an external or network drive, so you can restore individual files or your whole system if something goes wrong.
More System guides for macOS
- Update HistoryUpdate History lists every macOS update, security response, and Apple software update that has ever been installed on this Mac, along with the date and version number. It's the fastest way to confirm exactly what's been patched and when.
- Rapid Security ResponsesRapid Security Responses are small, fast-turnaround updates Apple issues between full macOS releases to patch urgent, actively exploited security issues. They install quickly, often without a restart, and are labeled with a letter suffix like 'macOS Sonoma 14.5 (a)'.
- App Store Automatic App UpdatesControl whether apps downloaded from the Mac App Store update automatically in the background as new versions become available.
- Update Now vs. Upgrade LaterWhen both are available, decide whether to install just the latest security or point update for your current macOS version, or perform a full upgrade to the newest major macOS release.
- Update Installation SchedulingFine-tune whether macOS installs downloaded updates immediately, overnight, or only after explicit confirmation, minimizing disruption during active work sessions.
- Managed Updates (Enterprise/School)See when an employer or school's device management policy is deferring, restricting, or controlling macOS update availability on a managed Mac.