How to Install the macOS Sequoia Public Beta

[MacRumors]

Apple has made a macOS 15 Sequoia beta available for its public beta testing group, letting public beta testers try out the software before it launches this fall. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.

Signing up to get the macOS Sequoia beta is simple, and can be done by enrolling a Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. The steps you need to complete to install the software on your device are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Should I Install macOS Sequoia Public Beta?

Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing the macOS Sequoia Beta on your main Mac, so if you have a secondary Mac that has no important data on it, use that. This is beta software, which means there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems.

With that caveat in mind, the steps in the remainder of this article show you how to get the macOS 15 beta on your Mac. First though, check that you have a compatible Mac.

Will macOS Sequoia run on My Mac?

macOS 15 Sequoia works with the same Macs as macOS 14 Sonoma other than the 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air. They include:

• MacBook Air (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
• iMac (2019 and later)
• Mac Mini (2018 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)

You can check your Mac's model by clicking the Apple in the menu bar and choosing About This Mac.

Don't Forget to Back Up Your Mac

Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing the software using the method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to the previous version of macOS if things go wrong.

How to Download macOS Sequoia Public Beta

1. On your Mac, open up Safari and navigate to the Apple Beta Software Program website.
2. Tap the Sign up button and enter your Apple ID credentials, or sign in with your Apple ID if you've signed up to beta test a previous update.
3. Agree to the Apple Beta Software Program terms and conditions if required.
4. After signing in, you'll see a main screen that's a Guide for Public Betas. Click on macOS.
5. Read through Apple's instructions carefully, and then using the link in the "Get Started" section, select enroll your Mac.
6. Make sure to make a backup of your current version of macOS using Time Machine by following Apple's instructions. This will allow you to downgrade back to your earlier version of macOS if necessary and is crucial if you don't enjoy the macOS Sequoia testing experience.
7. If your Mac is running macOS Ventura 13.4 or later, go to System Settings -> General -> Software Update and click the Info button next to "Beta updates." Then choose the macOS beta you'd like to install. If your Mac is running macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier, download Apple's macOS Beta Access Utility and run the installer. Then follow the onscreen instructions to complete installation. Note that your Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program.

Installation of the macOS beta is manually chosen in System Settings -> General -> Software Update. If a newly released beta is not available when you check, you will receive a notification when it is available to download.

macOS Sequoia Features

macOS Sequoia's standout feature is iPhone Mirroring, enabling you to control your iPhone from your Mac using your keyboard and mouse. This includes viewing notifications and using iPhone apps even when the device is tucked away and locked. Later this year, you'll also be able to drag and drop apps between your Mac and iPhone.

Window tiling has been enhanced for easier management of multiple windows. Safari now offers webpage summaries and highlights, while the Messages app supports message scheduling and Tapback reactions with any emoji. A new Passwords app simplifies managing passwords, logins, and passkeys. The Photos app has a redesigned interface, and the Notes app now includes audio transcription and summarization, along with automatic equation solving.

macOS Sequoia incorporates all new Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18, providing various quality of life improvements. These include writing tools for proofreading and polishing your text across apps, the Image Playground for creating unique images, and Genmoji for designing custom emojis. The Photos app features a Clean Up tool for removing unwanted images, and Siri has improved AI for better language understanding and contextual relevance, even consulting ChatGPT for complex queries.

Additional features are also coming to macOS Sequoia. More details are available in our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: How to Install the macOS Sequoia Public Beta

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Hm. Interesting that a 2018 MacBook Pro can handle it but a 2018 iMac cannot. Seems like given iMacs overall horsepower advantage that should be the other way around.

 

[MrJM]

Hm. Interesting that a 2018 MacBook Pro can handle it but a 2018 iMac cannot. Seems like given iMacs overall horsepower advantage that should be the other way around.

Something to do with the intel chip perhaps?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Something to do with the intel chip perhaps?

Yeah but those all have intel chips, and the big iMacs had the chips that AS is just now catching up to. The iMac got the more powerful chipset & had the best cooling out of all those machines to actually use them, and as I recall it took a max of 128gb of ram too, several times what those other models offered. That's why it seems odd that Apple would push it off the cliff ahead of all the others.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Only real reason to install the beta is for iPhone mirroring, so unless you also have a spare iPhone, not much point.

For me at least. I can't think of anything else exciting.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Hm. Interesting that a 2018 MacBook Pro can handle it but a 2018 iMac cannot. Seems like given iMacs overall horsepower advantage that should be the other way around.

Looking at MacTracker, I don't see a 2018 iMac. There was one release in 2017, and then the next one was 2019.

But how much base RAM did it have? I would assume 8GB but in 2017 wouldn't put it past Apple to still be shipping with 4GB by default.

Apple won't say it because it makes them look bad for being downright stingy with RAM, but 8GB is the bare minimum. And they also probably think we should be very grateful they even remember any Intel Macs exist at all.

 

[marclondon]

I think the requirement for iPhone mirroring is the T2 chip, which the 2019 iMac doesn't have.

My 2018 Mac Mini has got to that point many of us reach when the machine just becomes sluggish say running multiple Safari processes and all the other programs I like to keep running. It's a 6-core i7 with 32GB ram but I am eyeing up an M processor replacement rather than a last OS install.

 

[midkay]

Only real reason to install the beta is for iPhone mirroring, so unless you also have a spare iPhone, not much point.

For me at least. I can't think of anything else exciting.

The new window snapping/tiling features! I keep wishing I had them on a near daily basis. Public beta is tempting.

 

[sziehr]

I think the requirement for iPhone mirroring is the T2 chip, which the 2019 iMac doesn't have.

My 2018 Mac Mini has got to that point many of us reach when the machine just becomes sluggish say running multiple Safari processes and all the other programs I like to keep running. It's a 6-core i7 with 32GB ram but I am eyeing up an M processor replacement rather than a last OS install.

This is what I am doing, best buy had a stupid sale on MacBook pros, do I love the fact my iMac is in the same boat, no but can I truly be upset, I got 6 years out of it with zero faults, zero fuss, zero issues. I am just sad I have to buy a new display to go with the MacBook Pro, also I am not fully convinced I need / want a portable, however I am still on the fence so I am giving it the old test drive. That being said yep, I did the m series switch up from intel and yep it is fast, and yes it is stable and yes it is quite and cool, you will not be disappointed you made the leap

 

[Lord of the Pies]

The new window snapping/tiling features! I keep wishing I had them on a near daily basis. Public beta is tempting.

But Mac has had apps for that for years. I've been using BetterSnapTool since getting my first Mac in 2021. Works great.

 

[marclondon]

This is what I am doing, best buy had a stupid sale on MacBook pros, do I love the fact my iMac is in the same boat, no but can I truly be upset, I got 6 years out of it with zero faults, zero fuss, zero issues. I am just sad I have to buy a new display to go with the MacBook Pro, also I am not fully convinced I need / want a portable, however I am still on the fence so I am giving it the old test drive. That being said yep, I did the m series switch up from intel and yep it is fast, and yes it is stable and yes it is quite and cool, you will not be disappointed you made the leap

I'm trying to decide between a Mini or Studio, or a MacBook Pro. I have a couple of very old Intel MacBook Pros that are pretty useless now but don't have much need for portability these days but would be nice to have.

 

[CarAnalogy]

The new window snapping/tiling features! I keep wishing I had them on a near daily basis. Public beta is tempting.

I'll wait for the RC. Every year I tell myself I'll wait until .1, but I really want that screen mirroring.

I'm tempted to do a fresh install on my Mac considering how much is now built-in that I was using third party applications for.

 

[haemolysis]

AI is on hold.
iPhone mirroring requires iPhone on Beta (not for my primary iPhone, so no.)

What's left is... window snapping. And it works terribly. It snaps (great) but then to adjust/resize... oh dear... no unified handle areas. The windows are all separately controlled. There's weird gaps in between that if clicked take you to desktop.

Goodness me. When will Apple get window UI right? I know that the gold standard, MS Windows, has a lot of patents which makes things hard... but surely they can manage something that isn't utter garbage?

 

[iHorseHead]

Hm. Interesting that a 2018 MacBook Pro can handle it but a 2018 iMac cannot. Seems like given iMacs overall horsepower advantage that should be the other way around.

Interesting that macOS Sierra supported MacBooks from 2009 and didn't support MacBook Pros from 2009.
iMac (Late 2009 or later)
MacBook (Late 2009 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or later)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or later)
Mac Mini (Mid 2010 or later)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or later)

Interesting that OpenCoreLegacy is able to support more Macs and yet Apple isn't. Interesting that dosdude1 is able to upgrade the storage on Mac Studio, yet Apple isn't. Very interesting. It's like Apple has done that before several times and just want you to buy a new Mac…Interesting.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Yeah or that security updates to a web browser are only available as a whole operating system update. & by extension, after 5 or 6 years they then prohibit you from any further updates, and under threat of leaving you exposed, recommend you chuck that $4000 computer and finally solve it by buying another one.

 

[svish]

Good guide. But staying away from betas. Will wait till the release in September/October

 

[eoblaed]

Should I Install macOS Sequoia Public Beta?

I maintain that if someone is asking this question, the answer is 'no'.

 

[Mr_k]

I installed the public betas of iOS 18 on my main iPhone 13 Pro and Sequoia on my secondary computer, an M1 Mac mini and so far both have been working fine. The phone mirroring didn't work at first on the Mac mini but all I had to do was sign out of my Apple ID on the computer and sign back in then it started working. I also put the beta on my iPad Pro M1, all working just fine, haven't had a single issue on any of them. In fact it might be just a mind trick but I feel like the battery life on my iPhone is slightly better. I really like the dark mode icons and being able to make the icons bigger without text underneath. Looks cool. I'm not quite bold enough to install the beta on my main MacBook Pro though, I have software with lots of plugins and stuff that I'm worried might have problems. I suppose the betas could be quirky for some. Use discretion.