After months of incessant leaks and rumors, Apple has unleashed the macOS 26 developer beta, giving developers and enthusiasts early access to upcoming features and improvements. Boasting a ton of exciting features, including the eye-catching visionOS-inspired design, it’s an exciting upgrade. So, I’m sure many of you are willing to take the macOS beta for a long drive. If you are one of them, follow along to download and install macOS Tahoe 26 beta on your Mac with the needed security.
macOS 26 Compatible Mac Models
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First and foremost, make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Tahoe. Be warned that the latest iteration of macOS has ditched some older Mac models.
- MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (M1 and later)
- MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
- iMac (2020 and later)
- Mac mini (2020 and later)
Prepare Your Mac for macOS 26 Beta
- Make a full Time Machine backup (System Settings app > General > Time Machine) or use any backup method of your choice.
- After that, ensure your Mac is running macOS Ventura 13.4 or later to receive the beta update via Software Update.
- Connect your Mac to a stable power source and Wi-Fi network.
How to Download and Install macOS 26 Beta
- To begin with, head over to System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Now, click General > Software Update.
- Then, click the “i” icon next to Beta Updates.
- Choose macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta from the list.
- Next up, you need to sign in with your Apple ID registered in the Apple Developer Program if prompted.
- Return to the Software Update screen and wait for the macOS 26 Beta to appear.
- Click Update Now to download the beta installer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and allow your Mac to restart and complete the installation.
⚠️ Important Notes
- You must be signed in with an Apple Developer account to access developer beta versions.
- The beta update system is integrated into macOS Ventura and later — no configuration profile is required. – macOS betas may have bugs or app compatibility issues, so avoid installing on your primary machine unless necessary.
- To revert to a stable version, you must erase your Mac and restore from a backup using macOS Recovery.
- With these steps, you’ll be able to try out macOS 26 Beta on your compatible Mac and explore the new features ahead of public release.
