How to Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

[MacRumors]

Apple has made the first macOS Tahoe developer beta available for testing before its official release in the fall, but don't be fooled into thinking only developers can download it. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.

Getting access to the macOS Tahoe developer beta is simple, and can be done by registering your Apple Account with the Apple Developer program. The extra steps you need to complete to install the software on your Mac are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Should I Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta?

With macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces a major redesign for the platform with the all-new Liquid Glass interface, along with a host of new features. These include the Phone app on Mac, powerful new Spotlight actions, further Apple Intelligence integration, a dedicated Games app, and customizable backgrounds in Messages. Live Activities from iPhone also make their way to your Mac's menu bar, which now has a fully customizable Control Center. With so many additions and a striking visual update, it's no surprise that macOS Tahoe is generating a lot of interest among Mac users.

But before you commit, bear in mind that Apple does not recommend installing macOS developer beta updates on your main Mac. Remember, this is beta software, which means there are almost certainly bugs and issues that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems with the system. Indeed, one of the reasons that Apple releases the beta to developers early is so that they can feed back problems and help Apple debug them. If you have a spare Mac hanging around, by all means use that, but we would be the first to advise holding off until at least July, when the macOS Tahoe public beta is expected to drop.

Is My Mac Supported?

macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Mac models, according to Apple:

• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

macOS Tahoe officially drops support for the following Macs (earlier models than those shown are also not supported):

• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac mini (2018)

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 Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.
2. Open System Settings on your Mac and select General ➝ Software Update.
   Look for "Beta Updates" and click the info (i) symbol next to it.
   
   
   
   Choose macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta from the dropdown list.
   
   
   
   Click Upgrade Now to begin the update process to macOS 26.
   
   

That's all you need to do. The installation process will complete just like a standard macOS update, so sit back and let the installation finish, after which your Mac will boot directly into the macOS Tahoe beta.

Article Link: How to Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

 

[StuBFrost]

I thought you also had to actually enrol in the beta program as well as join as a developer.

 

[MacLawyer]

If you're not a developer of if you're not installing on a secondary Mac, DON'T DO THIS.

 

[guci0]

I beg you all, just need to create Volume, and install to go, then the system booted from this "disk". Easy as that. BTW w In the meantime

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I thought you also had to actually enrol in the beta program as well as join as a developer.

That used to the case, but now you can just flip a option and get them.

 

[wonderings]

I do it as a VM. I have Parallels and install the beta there. Not something I want for my main OS till it is finished, but want to do tests on things.

 

[guci0]

I do it as a VM. I have Parallels and install the beta there. Not something I want for my main OS till it is finished, but want to do tests on things.

This solution causes that there are two systems, nothing to boot, but I avoid Parallels - it's time to say goodbye to this program.

 

[wonderings]

This solution causes that there are two systems, nothing to boot, but I avoid Parallels - it's time to say goodbye to this program.

That exactly the point of Parallels, running multiple OS's without removing your main OS. I have Windows 11 installed for the few things I need Windows for. I have Taho installed to test software on, all one my main work computer, no need for a bunch of different computers.

 

[Artemiz]

MR should stop making articles about installing betas especially the initial ones of a major iOS revision.

Every year there’s a whole bunch of ppl reading just one article and suddenly becoming an expert. And when it doesn’t pan out great, they’re scrambling to restore which is both a pain and not a stroll in the park.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Step One:

Reconsider any desire to install the beta.

 

[turbineseaplane]

MR should stop making articles about installing betas especially the initial ones of a major iOS revision.

Every year there’s a whole bunch of ppl reading just one article and suddenly becoming an expert. And when it doesn’t pan out great, they’re scrambling to restore which is both a pain and not a stroll in the park.

I agree 100%

Folks that should be installing betas don't need MR guides to do it.

These guides just plant bad ideas in the heads of folks who should be waiting until the releases in the Fall.

 

[Macman1138]

I’m waiting on OCLP so I can install Tahoe on my iMac Pro beast.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m waiting on OCLP so I can install Tahoe on my iMac Pro beast.

Those are still GREAT machines.
I'm honestly surprised they are being left behind by Apple already.

I've thought about snagging one if I see a screaming deal locally at some point.

 

[Macman1138]

Those are still GREAT machines.
I'm honestly surprised they are being left behind by Apple already.

I've thought about snagging one if I see a screaming deal locally at some point.

I bought one of the last iMac Pros made off of eBay. CTO/BTO, 512 GB of RAM, 18 core, 8 TB of storage and Vega 64X video.
The iMac Pro is the best iMac made and I have a unicorn with wings. It flys!

 

[stocklen]

Step 0.5 - ARE YOU A GENUINE DEVELOPER.......

Then, NO.

This is Beta 1 for goodness sake.

I dont think ive ever seen so many YouTube minutes or social media posts guiding you through the new software when all they have is DEVELOPER BETA 1 installed.

Since when was a Developer Beta 1 considered a good thing to install for pretty much anyone but the most serious developers who need the maximum lead to to amend their apps and software in preparation for the public release in 3 months time.

 

[g-7]

No.

The first thing to do, if you don't have a spare Mac at hand, is to create a separate volume in Disk Utility.

 

[azentropy]

Consider using Virtual Buddy (or other) to create VM.

 

[designaholic]

I've got it installed on my MacBook Pro perfectly safely using the (free) VirtualBuddy VM. Have to say, after quite a bit of playing around, I really dislike much of the new UI. The overly rounded corners are horrible on a Mac. The Finder, in its current form, is especially gross. Side-by-side with an existing Finder window it's a huge downgrade. Hopefully there will be lots of changes in the right direction between now and release.

 

[Robb18]

Turns out if you want to play with the AI ChatGPT inside Xcode 26, you need to install it onto your internal SSD, not an external SSD or partition. I made that mistake and after installing it on an external volume and booting from it, macOS 26 ran fine, but Xcode 26 did not have the AI features available.

 

[Jurwin]

1. How to Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta
   1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.
      
      It's 99 eur a year in The Netherlands. So, it's not free.

 

[freedomlinux]

It's 99 eur a year in The Netherlands. So, it's not free.

Is it? This page makes a mention of NL https://developer.apple.com/register/ and it's free.

Yet this page https://developer.apple.com/support/compare-memberships/ only mentions the $99. It was my understanding that the paid membership is required to notarize applications or publish in the App Store, but not needed for getting XCode, getting betas, etc.

 

[stocklen]

1. How to Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta
   1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.
      
      It's 99 eur a year in The Netherlands. So, it's not free.

surely people can wait a whole 3 more weeks for the PUBLIC betas.

Ive no idea why Macrumors are encouraging people to do this on a Developer Beta 1.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

Disclaimer: don’t install beta if you can’t figure out self how to do this.

 

[svish]

Good article. Normally I don't install betas but this year might do it. But will wait at least for the public beta next month.

 

[yabeweb]

It’s good, but battery life is atrocious