Apple has released the macOS Sequoia 15.5 Release Candidate, giving developers and public beta testers early access to the final version before it rolls out to everyone. However, not all Mac users are able to update successfully. If the update doesn’t appear, gets stuck during download, or fails to install, you’re not alone. These issues can arise from a variety of causes, ranging from enrollment errors to system settings. In this detailed troubleshooting guide, I’m going to break down the 6 best fixes to resolve problems updating to macOS Sequoia 15.5 RC.
1. Verify You’re Enrolled in the Beta Program
It’s worth pointing out that macOS RC builds are available only to users in Apple’s Developer Program or Public Beta Program. If you’re not enrolled, the update won’t appear in System Settings.
- On your Mac, visit System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Now, select Beta Updates, and ensure either “macOS Sequoia Developer Beta” or “macOS Sequoia Public Beta” is selected.
2. Check Mac Compatibility
macOS Sequoia is only supported on certain Mac models. If your Mac doesn’t meet the hardware requirements, the update won’t be available. You can confirm compatibility by checking Apple’s official list of supported devices for macOS Sequoia 15.5.
3. Free Up Storage Space
The macOS Sequoia RC update requires at least 20GB of free space to install smoothly. Hence, ensure that your Mac has the required storage space to install the update.
- Go to Apple menu on your Mac > General > Storage, and remove large files, unused apps, or system junk to create space.
4. Restart and Check for Update Again
Temporary system glitches on your Mac can prevent the update from showing up. Therefore, reboot your device to flush out the miscellaneous glitches.
- Navigate to the Apple menu at the top left and choose Restart.
- After that, head to System Settings > General > Software Update and check again.
- A fresh restart can also help clear update cache issues.
5. Reset System Update Preferences
Be warned that the corrupted update settings can block the update from showing up on your Mac. Hence, try resetting the system update preferences.
- On your Mac, open Terminal and run the command:
sudo softwareupdate --clear-catalog - After that, restart your Mac and reselect your beta channel in Software Update.
6. Install via macOS Installer (Alternative Method)
If over-the-air (OTA) updates don’t work, use the full installer from Apple’s developer or beta portal.
- To get going, download the macOS Sequoia 15.5 RC installer and run it manually.
- This method bypasses bugs related to incremental OTA updates and is often more reliable.
Wrapping up…
There you have it! If you’re struggling to update to macOS Sequoia 15.5 RC, don’t panic. These six solutions cover the most common roadblocks and can get you back on track, whether it’s verifying beta enrollment, freeing up space, or using a manual installer.
As this is still a pre-release version, some hiccups are expected, but the full public version will launch soon. Until then, use these tips to test the RC confidently on your compatible Mac.
