macOS Beta: The Sequoia 15.5 beta 3 is now available. Here's how to get it

macOS Sequoia: Deeply exploring the beta version

In September 2024, macOS Sequoia officially landed on Mac computers, but its beta beta version development continues. Registered developers or public beta test users can continue to receive the latest updates and experience new features that have not been released publicly.

This article will explain in detail the contents of the latest version of Sequoia Beta, how to obtain, install steps, and potential risk avoidance. If you prefer to use the latest official version of macOS Sequoia, please refer to how to update your Mac system.

In the past, the developer beta version was only for developers who paid to join the Apple Developer Program (costs at $99/£79). However, in recent years, Apple has opened up developer beta versions to registered developers with free developer accounts. The following will explain how to get a free developer account.

We do not recommend that non-developer users install beta versions. Beta software usually has bugs, and a more stable public beta version has also been launched.

If you no longer want to run macOS beta, please refer to: How to remove macOS beta.

macOS developer beta version: latest version

• Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.5 Beta 3 to developers on April 21, 2025.

Here are the release notes for developers:

Overview

macOS 15.5 SDK supports the development and development of Mac computer applications running Sequoia 15.5 Beta version. The SDK is bundled with Xcode 16.4 provided by the Mac App Store. For information about Xcode 16.4 compatibility requirements, see the Xcode 16.4 Release Notes.

Pro Display Calibrator

Solved issues

• Fixed: Custom display calibration using Pro Display Calibrator causes 14-inch and 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro systems to restart. (148038484)

StoreKit

Solved issues

• Fixed: Calling isEligibleForIntroOffer(for:) will return false if the user account is not logged in. (146119524)

macOS public beta version: latest version

Public beta versions are usually released a few days after the developer beta version is released. Sequoia 15.5 Beta 2 was released on April 14, 2025, so the public beta version is coming soon.

macOS Sequoia Beta timeline

The first Sequoia Developer Beta Edition (macOS 15) was released after the WWDC keynote speech on June 10, 2024. Beta 2 was released on June 24.

The first Sequoia public beta version was released on July 15, 2024.

Developer Beta 4 was released on July 23. The second public beta version was also released on July 23, 2024.

Developer Beta 5 was released on August 5, followed by the third public beta version.

Apple released Beta 6, a developer of macOS Sequoia 15, on August 12. The fourth public beta version of Sequoia was released on August 13, 2024.

The fifth public beta version of developers Beta 7 and Sequoia will be released on August 20.

On August 28, Apple released the sixth public beta version of macOS Sequoia 15 Beta 8 and Sequoia. A candidate version of Sequoia was released on September 9. The full version of Sequoia arrives on compatible Mac computers on September 16.

macOS Sequoia 15.1

In fact, there are two versions of the developer beta version. The second beta version is developed simultaneously with macOS 15.0 beta version. macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta includes Apple Intelligence features that are only available on M-series Mac computers (an iOS 18.1 Beta is also developed separately to provide Apple Intelligence features for compatible iPhones). Apple began development of macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta on July 29. Beta 2 was released on August 12 and Beta 3 was released to developers on August 28.

Initially, this beta was only for developers, but Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.1 public beta on September 19, 2024 after Sequoia released it to the public. Finally, the macOS Sequoia 15.1 candidate was released on October 21 and the second candidate version 2 was released on October 24.

The final version of macOS Sequoia 15.1 arrives on compatible Mac computers on October 28.

macOS Sequoia 15.2

On October 23, Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.2 Beta 1 to developers. Version 15.2 introduced the second set of Apple Intelligence features. On November 20, Apple released macOS Sequoia Beta 4 to developers.

On December 5, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 version candidate. On December 9, Apple released the official version of Candidate Version 2.15.2, which was released on December 11.

macOS Sequoia 15.3

On December 16, Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.3 Beta 1 to developers. This beta version contains the ability to create Gemoji.

On January 7, Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.3 Beta 2 to developers.

15.3's Beta 3 was released on January 16.

Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.3 version candidate (RC) to developers on January 21.

macOS Sequoia 15.4

On February 19, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta version to developers. It includes mail updates and close-up pairing with iPhone.

On March 10, Apple released Beta 3 to developers.

On March 17, Apple released Beta 4 to developers.

On March 24, Apple released a candidate version 1 to developers. On March 27, Apple released a new RC, replacing the RC released on March 24. On March 28, Apple released RC 2 to developers and RC 1 to the public.

macOS Sequoia 15.5

On April 2, Apple released Sequoia 15.5 Beta 1 to developers.

On April 14, Apple released Sequoia 15.5 Beta 2 to developers.

On April 21, Apple released Sequoia 15.5 Beta 3 to developers.

macOS public beta version and developer beta version

Since 2023, the developer beta version has been open to all users who register as developers, even if they are not paid members of the Apple Developer Program. Therefore, users with a free basic developer account can download the new macOS developer beta version (we will cover how to register below).

If you are not a developer, whether you should download the developer beta is another question. We do not recommend that non-developers install developer beta versions. Instead, we recommend using a public beta version (its first version is usually released in July).

There are some differences between the public beta version and the developer beta version. The public beta version is different from the beta version released through the Developer Program.

Developers get updates first, and probably more often. But you should remember that the beta version is qualitatively unstable, because the public beta version is released after the developer beta version, so it may be safer to install it.

The most significant difference is probably the motivation of testers: Developers’ usual goal is to make sure their apps work properly when updated macOS is released to the public, while public beta testers are helping Apple detect errors and provide feedback on features. Therefore, developers may test new features that are not available in the public beta.

If you want to get a public beta version, the first thing you need to do (if you haven't already) is joining Apple's beta program, read the following to learn more: How to Become an Apple Beta Tester.

How to get a free developer account

If you only need a free Apple developer account to access the beta version, you can get it through the Apple Developer app in Xcode or iOS. Here's how to get it through the Apple Developer app on your iPhone:

1. Get the Apple Developer app from the App Store.
2. Open the app on your iPhone.
3. Click Account.
4. Click to log in.
5. Sign in with your commonly used Apple ID.

If you want to actually publish the app to the App Store or receive support, you will need to pay $99/£79 per year to purchase a paid account. You can compare free and paid accounts here.

How to get macOS beta version

If you are running macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, have paid $99/£79 to join Apple's Developer Program (here) or have a free developer account (follow the instructions above), the Sequoia Developer Beta should show up on your Mac.

Once the public beta is available, it will also appear on your Mac, as long as you have registered the public beta program on Apple's beta page, signed up for the NDA and registered for your Mac.

Before downloading, there are some warnings:

• We strongly recommend that if you are not a developer, please do not download the developer beta version.
• We also strongly recommend that you back up your Mac before upgrading to Sequoia Beta.
• We recommend that you do not run Sequoia beta on your primary Mac; ideally you should run it in a separate volume. This should minimize the risk to you.

How to download macOS beta

1. Turn on software updates on your Mac. (System Settings > General > Software Update.)
2. You should see two options: automatic update and beta update. Click (i) next to Beta Update.
3. You can now turn on beta updates (if they are not already open).
4. Select the beta version you want to download.
5. If your developer account is different from the Apple ID you normally use to bind to, you can change it here.
6. Click Finish.
7. Now your Mac will check for updates and eventually display the Sequoia developer beta as an upgrade. Click to upgrade now.

If you are running macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier:

Apple changed the way to deliver beta in Ventura 13.4. If you are not running this version of macOS, you need to download the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility or the macOS Public Beta Access Utility.

If you are already running an earlier version of macOS public beta, you can find a new macOS beta as an upgrade through software updates. Just click to upgrade now. You may need to update to the latest version of the current beta before you can do so, if not, follow the steps below to get the Beta Access Utility.

1. If you have registered for the Developer Program, please visit Apple's Beta Download Page. Click the Install Configuration File to download the new macOS Developer Beta Access Utility to your Mac.
2. If you are registered as a public beta tester, please download the macOS public beta access utility.
3. Go to Download on your Mac and click on the macOS Beta Access Utility to open it.
4. Double-click the dmg file and the installer will run.
5. After installing the new macOS beta, the software update will check for any updates. Click Update and the latest version will be downloaded.
6. You will see a prompt asking to install the latest macOS beta version and click Continue.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions (see below for more information).
8. Click Install.

How to update macOS beta version

Once you have run the beta version, the update will automatically arrive on your Mac, and you just need to click Install.

1. You will be notified when the next beta update is available.
2. Updates will be provided through software updates (in System Settings/System Preferences).

Other notes on beta testing

The above describes how to get the beta version, but after getting the beta version, what can you do and what should you do? We will introduce it below.

Is macOS Beta stable?

The beta version may be unstable in quality. Therefore, it is not recommended that you install it on the Mac you depend on. If you have a second unimportant Mac, install it there. We strongly advise you not to take all the risks to install macOS beta on your main macOS, especially in the early stages of beta development.

If you don't have a second Mac, there are several ways you can run macOS beta on your Mac without risking losing data or finding out that your Mac stops working:

• We recommend installing it on a partition – nowadays this is actually a volume (and easier to create than a partition). Please read here to learn how: How to Dual Boot on Mac: Run two versions of macOS on Mac.
• Alternatively, you can install macOS beta onto an external drive and run it.

We discuss the security of macOS beta in more detail in another article and the risks you may face.

If the stability of the beta version is concerned, you'd better wait until the final version is released, or at least wait until the tests are done for a few months before getting the beta version.

How to prepare your Mac for beta

Update your software: We recommend you install the latest full version of macOS, although Apple says macOS developer beta access utility requires macOS 10.8 or higher.

Make room: We recommend at least 15GB of available space, as macOS beta tends to be very large. If you end up needing more space, read: How to Free Up Space on Mac. Please note that we always recommend that you keep at least 10% of your available space on your Mac at any time, so if you don't have one, you may have problems!

Backup: Before installing the beta version on your Mac, you should back up your data and files. You can learn how to back up your Mac with Time Machine. We also put together some suitable backup solutions.

How to send feedback to Apple

If you encounter an error or bug, you should use the Feedback Assistant app to provide feedback to Apple. Launch the application and follow the steps appropriately, select the area where you provide feedback, and then select any specific sub-region. Then describe your problem in one sentence, and then provide a more detailed description, including any specific steps that can reproduce the problem. You can also attach other files.

You must also allow the Feedback Assistant app to collect diagnostic information from your Mac.

It's not always easy to see if something is a bug or not as easy to use as you would like. Either way, if your feedback is that something seems to work in an irrational way, Apple will want to know this.

If you are experiencing problems with third-party apps, you can report them to Apple via the third-party app compatibility category in the Feedback Assistant. However, we recommend that you also provide feedback to the developers of your application, who will undoubtedly be grateful.

Can I update from macOS beta to the final version?

Beta users are able to install the final version of the OS on the day of release without reformatting or reinstalling.

Can I talk about beta publicly?

The beta version is "Apple Confidential Information" under a license agreement that Apple and all beta testers must agree to. By accepting these Terms, you agree not to discuss your use of the Software with anyone not in the Beta Software Program. This means you cannot “post, post screenshots, tweet or publicly post information about public beta software” on your blog.

However, you can discuss any information that Apple has disclosed publicly; the company says that the information is no longer considered confidential.

How to downgrade from macOS beta

You can restore to earlier versions of macOS at any time, although it's not necessarily an easy process depending on how you backup it.

First make sure the data on the drive is backed up, then erase the drive and install the latest public version of macOS. When you first start your Mac, you can use the Migration Assistant to import your data from backup. Here is a more detailed tutorial on how to downgrade from macOS beta, and we also have a tutorial on downgrading to older Mac OS.

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