How to Install the macOS Monterey Public Beta

[MacRumors]

Apple has made a macOS 12 Monterey beta available for its public beta testing group, letting public beta testers try out the software before it launches this fall.

The ‌macOS Monterey Public Beta is available to anyone with a compatible Mac and it does not require a developer account. This guide walks you through some simple steps on installing the beta software.

Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing the macOS Monterey Public Beta on your main Mac, so if you have a secondary machine, use that. This is beta software, and there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems.

It's also worth noting that there are some major design changes to Safari that take some adjusting to, so you may want to avoid committing to the beta usage experience until you've tried it out.

macOS Monterey Compatibility

macOS Monterey is compatible with many of the Macs that were able to run macOS Big Sur, but it drops support for some older MacBook Air and iMac models from 2013 and 2014. The Macs below can run the software.

• iMac - Late 2015 and later
• iMac Pro - 2017 and later
• MacBook Air - Early 2015 and later
• MacBook Pro - Early 2015 and later
• Mac Pro - Late 2013 and later
• Mac mini - Late 2014 and later
• MacBook - Early 2016 and later

Make a Time Machine Backup

Before you upgrade to the Monterey beta, you should make sure to make a backup using Apple's Time Machine backup feature with an external drive.

If you want to revert back to your previous setup after testing macOS Monterey or if you run into a bug and need to backtrack, you'll need to reinstall macOS Big Sur (or your prior OS) and a backup can be helpful for reverting.

Enroll in the Beta Software Program

Installing macOS Big Sur requires enrolling your Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps to do so.

1. Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website in a browser on your Mac.
2. Click on the blue Sign up button or, if you're already a member, click sign in.
3. Enter your Apple ID and password and then a two-factor authentication code if verification is required.
4. Agree to the Apple Beta Software Program terms and conditions.
5. Once signed in and at the Guide for Public Betas page, scroll up to the top and click on "Enroll Your Devices" then click on "macOS."
   

Downloading and Installing the macOS Monterey Beta

After you've enrolled in the public beta testing program, you're able to download macOS Monterey.

1. After selecting the macOS section on the beta website, scroll down to "Enroll your Mac" and click on "Download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility option."
2. If you get a popup asking if you want to allow downloads on "beta.apple.com" click on "Allow."
3. Unless you've changed where files download, the beta installer (macOSPublicBetaAccessUtility.dmg) will show up in your downloads folder. Locate it and double click on it to open it up.
4. Double click on the .pkg file inside to run the installer.
5. You may see a warning advising you to back up your Mac with Time Machine. Either stop here and back up, or, if you've already done so, Click OK and then click Continue.
6. Click Continue again and then click on Agree to accept Apple's software license agreement, then click on "Install." Enter your admin password if prompted.
7. Once the installer has completed the download, the System Preferences Software Update panel will open automatically and display the ‌macOS Monterey‌ Beta download. Click on Upgrade Now to download the public beta software when prompted. It will take some time to download the file, and when the download is complete, your Mac should restart.
8. After a restart, the macOS Monterey installer should launch automatically. If it does not, it can be found in the applications folder.
9. From here, click "Continue" and walk through the steps as instructed, agreeing to the terms and conditions and making sure you've performed a backup.
10. Select the drive that you want to install the public beta on. You can choose your main drive or a partition that you've created.
11. Click Install, enter your administrator password, and click OK, then click Restart or wait for your Mac to reboot automatically.

After your Mac restarts, the Monterey installation process will begin. It takes some time for the update to install, but when the installation is finished and your Mac boots up again, it will be running the Monterey public beta.

macOS Monterey introduces a long list of new features like Universal Control for using a mouse across multiple iPads and Macs and a new FaceTime experience with sharing features for watching movies and listening to music with friends. We have a full list of everything new in macOS Monterey in our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: How to Install the macOS Monterey Public Beta

 

[JosephAW]

Not like iOS where iOS 15 will run on all devices that support iOS 14.
Just because your Mac supported Bug Sur doesn’t mean it will support Monterey.
I’m surprised at the number of Macs still supported. Figured it would be only the last few years released.
Wondering if this is the last Intel macOS.

 

[GadgetBen]

I've had the Dev Beta on my secondary Intel MacBook Air since release and it runs everything without a crash, restart on wake, or a bounce in the dock.

I'm taking the jump and putting this on my main Intel Mac.

Yes, this early Beta really is that good. By far the most stable release I have encountered.

 

[PowerMacBook]

Not on my FANTASTIC mid-2012 MacBook Pro (just like Big Sur btw).
So please ship the new Mx MacBook Pro soonest!
Like this mid 2012 - I'll buy the most expensive biggest best etc and then see you again in 2030...
I'm almost thinking about suggesting they should make a kind of movie about this one: has been in over 30 countries, and still going strong! Should be a heck of advertisement.
But then again, maybe they don't want customers like me, only buying a laptop every 9-10 years?

 

[tamara6]

Wondering if this is the last Intel macOS.

They are still selling computers with Intel chips, so I would hope that the next few OSs will also run on them. If I bought a new computer today and next year's operating system update didn't work on it I'd be pretty upset....

 

[jonnysods]

Ill try this in a Parallels VM. I want to see what it’s like to use the new Safari. Not a fan!

 

[anthogag]

I am trying to install Monterey beta. I have a M1 Mac mini. I am currently running 14.7 beta.

It just stopped at 11.73 GB and now just 'hangs' there. The M1 mini does feel warmer than usual.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

[ph001bi]

Apple has made a macOS 12 Monterey beta available for its public beta testing group, letting public beta testers try out the software before it launches this fall.

The ‌macOS Monterey Public Beta is available to anyone with a compatible Mac and it does not require a developer account. This guide walks you through some simple steps on installing the beta software.

Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing the macOS Monterey Public Beta on your main Mac, so if you have a secondary machine, use that. This is beta software, and there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems.

It's also worth noting that there are some major design changes to Safari that take some adjusting to, so you may want to avoid committing to the beta usage experience until you've tried it out.

macOS Monterey Compatibility

macOS Monterey is compatible with many of the Macs that were able to run macOS Big Sur, but it drops support for some older MacBook Air and iMac models from 2013 and 2014. The Macs below can run the software.

• iMac - Late 2015 and later
  
• iMac Pro - 2017 and later
  
• MacBook Air - Early 2015 and later
  
• MacBook Pro - Early 2015 and later
  
• Mac Pro - Late 2013 and later
  
• Mac mini - Late 2014 and later
  
• MacBook - Early 2016 and later

Make a Time Machine Backup

Before you upgrade to the Monterey beta, you should make sure to make a backup using Apple's Time Machine backup feature with an external drive.

If you want to revert back to your previous setup after testing macOS Monterey or if you run into a bug and need to backtrack, you'll need to reinstall macOS Big Sur (or your prior OS) and a backup can be helpful for reverting.

Enroll in the Beta Software Program

Installing macOS Big Sur requires enrolling your Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps to do so.

1. Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website in a browser on your Mac.
   
2. Click on the blue Sign up button or, if you're already a member, click sign in.
   
3. Enter your Apple ID and password and then a two-factor authentication code if verification is required.
   
4. Agree to the Apple Beta Software Program terms and conditions.
   
5. Once signed in and at the Guide for Public Betas page, scroll up to the top and click on "Enroll Your Devices" then click on "macOS."
   
   

Downloading and Installing the macOS Monterey Beta

After you've enrolled in the public beta testing program, you're able to download macOS Monterey.

1. After selecting the macOS section on the beta website, scroll down to "Enroll your Mac" and click on "Download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility option."
   
2. If you get a popup asking if you want to allow downloads on "beta.apple.com" click on "Allow."
   
3. Unless you've changed where files download, the beta installer (macOSPublicBetaAccessUtility.dmg) will show up in your downloads folder. Locate it and double click on it to open it up.
   
4. Double click on the .pkg file inside to run the installer.
   
5. You may see a warning advising you to back up your Mac with Time Machine. Either stop here and back up, or, if you've already done so, Click OK and then click Continue.
   
6. Click Continue again and then click on Agree to accept Apple's software license agreement, then click on "Install." Enter your admin password if prompted.
   
7. Once the installer has completed the download, the System Preferences Software Update panel will open automatically and display the ‌macOS Monterey‌ Beta download. Click on Upgrade Now to download the public beta software when prompted. It will take some time to download the file, and when the download is complete, your Mac should restart.
   
8. After a restart, the macOS Monterey installer should launch automatically. If it does not, it can be found in the applications folder.
   
9. From here, click "Continue" and walk through the steps as instructed, agreeing to the terms and conditions and making sure you've performed a backup.
   
10. Select the drive that you want to install the public beta on. You can choose your main drive or a partition that you've created.
    
11. Click Install, enter your administrator password, and click OK, then click Restart or wait for your Mac to reboot automatically.

After your Mac restarts, the Monterey installation process will begin. It takes some time for the update to install, but when the installation is finished and your Mac boots up again, it will be running the Monterey public beta.

macOS Monterey introduces a long list of new features like Universal Control for using a mouse across multiple iPads and Macs and a new FaceTime experience with sharing features for watching movies and listening to music with friends. We have a full list of everything new in macOS Monterey in our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: How to Install the macOS Monterey Public Beta

I've been trying to download it twice, and twice it goes up to 11.73Gb of 11.73Gb and sit there. Maybe I have to wait a while or maybe there is problem. I am not sure how I force the update through.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

can anyone confirm me these apps working on intel based mac

1. IntelliJ
2. Pycharm
3. Pulse Secure
4. Microsoft Teams
5. Microsoft Outlook
6. Atom
7. Github Desktop

Thanks

 

[weckart]

They are still selling computers with Intel chips, so I would hope that the next few OSs will also run on them. If I bought a new computer today and next year's operating system update didn't work on it I'd be pretty upset....

Last time around, Apple shipped the final PowerPC Macs with Tiger 10.4.2. They got Leopard 10.5.x and that was their lot. Snow Leopard 10.6 was Intel only.

The difference then was Apple wasn't on a yearly schedule for new major OS releases. The final PowerPCs shipped in 2005 and Snow Leopard shipped in 2009. It's anyone's guess whether Apple sticks to 4 years or one more major release over that, which the final hardware shipped with.

 

[anthogag]

I've been trying to download it twice, and twice it goes up to 11.73Gb of 11.73Gb and sit there. Maybe I have to wait a while or maybe there is problem. I am not sure how I force the update through.

I've been trying to download it twice, and twice it goes up to 11.73Gb of 11.73Gb and sit there. Maybe I have to wait a while or maybe there is problem. I am not sure how I force the update through.

After Waiting quite a while it went past 11.73 GB and started the installation process

 

[sapbasis]

I had a failure on the first download. Second download completed in 20 minutes and installation started without problem. According to the progress bar I have about 17 more minutes for the installation to complete.

 

[coolbreeze2]

I'm getting ready to install only on my MBA M1. I've already installed iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. Now I can see what all the fuss is about with these new features that connect Apple devices. So far no problems with my iPhone and iPad.

 

[Scott6666]

Yeah I’m thinking it’s time to move to Big Sur release…

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple has made a macOS 12 Monterey beta available for its public beta testing group, letting public beta testers try out the software before it launches this fall.

Enroll in the Beta Software Program

Installing macOS Big Sur requires enrolling your Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps to do so.

To install Monterey beta, you have to install Big Sur?

Must be a typo

 

[Candlelight]

I don't have a machine young enough to run it.

 

[xmach]

Can Monterey be installed on an external drive? Does it matter if one is using an AS or Intel Mac?

 

[BlairMALL]

I am completely new to MacOS beta testing, however, I finally have a secondary machine I can use to try it out. However, I really don't want to go through a Time Machine backup. Because I have nothing currently on my secondary machine, can I go ahead and download the beta and reload Big Sur later... without having to have a dedicated Time Machine backup?

Yes, I am a noob when it comes to this sort of thing.

 

[anthogag]

I am completely new to MacOS beta testing, however, I finally have a secondary machine I can use to try it out. However, I really don't want to go through a Time Machine backup. Because I have nothing currently on my secondary machine, can I go ahead and download the beta and reload Big Sur later... without having to have a dedicated Time Machine backup?

Yes, I am a noob when it comes to this sort of thing.

Yes. Just close the time machine pop-up window during installaction.

 

[BlairMALL]

Yes. Just close the time machine pop-up window during installaction.

Thanks, anthogag! Great to know!

 

[GSWForever8]

I am completely new to MacOS beta testing, however, I finally have a secondary machine I can use to try it out. However, I really don't want to go through a Time Machine backup. Because I have nothing currently on my secondary machine, can I go ahead and download the beta and reload Big Sur later... without having to have a dedicated Time Machine backup?

Yes, I am a noob when it comes to this sort of thing.

Partition the disk into 2 and make it a APFS disk. Then, download Big Sur on the other one and then download the beta on that one.

 

[leicaman]

As with so many experiences in the past, once you've installed it you might get some wonky things happening. System Preferences hangs, Safari not loading pages, etc. Try rebooting again and see what happens. That often can clear out the caches (boot into Safe Mode to make that happen, and then reboot again) and start up some software updates that need to happen.

Another thing to keep in mind is system extensions. A critical one for me is SoftRaid 6. I have to have the extension for that installed to keep my main NVME SSD raid where I keep my current working photos. I knew ahead of time that the beta for SoftRaid 6 already was working in Monterey or I would not have given it a try.

To get extensions working, you'll need to go to System Preferences and click on "Security and Privacy." Down at the bottom is Gatekeeper. You follow the instructions there and you'll be directed to shut down. Then start by holding down the power button for 10 seconds, and it will direct you to keep holding until you get boot options going. Once in Recovery Mode, pull down the Utilities menu and do as instructed to change your security settings to allow exensions from recognized developers.

It's not terribly intuitive, but if you follow the directions exactly you should be up and running with any extensions that support Monterey. (i.e., check with developers before committing!)

 

[coolbreeze2]

I keep getting an installation error. It downloads and as soon as the download is finished, an errors occurs. I have tried 3 times. I am attempting to install on my MBA M1. Anyone knows how to fix this? Here is a screen shot of the error.

 

[macplay]

Monterey? Big sure isnt even stable yet… To many updates to many..

 

[Shirasaki]

To me Monterey would only belongs to new M1 Mac. There is no chance that I would install it on Intel Mac. High Sierra or at most Mojave all day.

Oh yeah I also have an unsupported Mac that can’t install Monterey. It’s too slow to run big sur already so…