Apple Seeds Fifth macOS Sierra 10.12.1 Beta to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming macOS Sierra update to developers and public beta testers, just over one week after seeding the fourth beta and a month after releasing the new macOS Sierra operating system to the public.

macOS Sierra 10.12.1 beta 5 can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or through the Software update mechanism in the Mac App Store for those who already have an earlier 10.12.1 beta installed.

sierra10121beta
macOS Sierra 10.12.1 appears to focus on bug fixes and under-the-hood performance improvements to address issues that have been found since the operating system’s release, and it’s also likely adding features designed for next-generation MacBook Pro models set to be released later this year.

Few outward-facing changes were discovered in the first four betas, but it 10.12.1 does include Photos support for the new iPhone 7 Plus Portrait feature introduced with iOS 10.1. New features discovered in the fifth 10.12.1 beta will be listed below.

macOS Sierra is a significant update that brings features like Siri support, a new storage optimization option, cross device copy paste, auto unlocking with the Apple Watch, and more. For full details on macOS Sierra, make sure to check out our roundup.

Related Forum: macOS Sierra

Top Rated Comments

Dydegu Avatar
97 months ago


macOS Sierra 10.12.1 appears to focus on bug fixes and under-the-hood performance improvements to address issues that have been found since the operating system's release, and it's also likely adding features designed for next-generation MacBook Pro models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/28/late-october-macbook-pro/') set to be released later this year.
Don't even give them the option. Change that to next week.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
97 months ago
I hope they've fixed all the Safari bugs and glitches.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0958400 Avatar
97 months ago
For the love of god please fix the issue with external 4K monitors (Dell P2415Q in my case) not turning on when connected to a closed rMBP on a restart and then not allowing the built in screen to turn on when opening it, causing a hard reboot with the screen open. Worked great in all versions of El Capitan..
Absolutely agree. Asus here, same problem.
And not just that:

* flickering screen,
* buggy video controls,
* sudden resets,
* BEACHBALLS,
* software that stopped for working (for no apparent reason),
* slow behaviour,
* iTunes before that was way snappier (don't get me started on the stupid hearts-system where one state cannot be accessed in playlists).
* iTunes Backups from iPhone cannot be saved "no disk space" (with 230GB available),
* Word cannot save temporary files anymore - and crashes,
* Bluetooth automatically disconnects - reconnects - disconnects.
* Cannot use the Apple Watch to unlock, as I have several iPads, including an old one which will stop working once I activate two-way authentification...
* losing WiFi
* Safari cannot open webpages (Firefox can)
* Lightroom crashes when converting to DNG


... all of this worked with Mavericks and stopped with Sierra. Thank you, Apple.

The list is so long, I have regretted updating my system and I will certainly never ever again update my computer, once the last service update has come along.
Sierra has been a disappointment all along.

Phew...

Has Apple forgotten that people actually work with this OS and depend on its reliability. Have they forgotten that this was the reason we chose to invest money?

I love Apple. I hate what it has become.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
meaning-matters Avatar
97 months ago
Picture doesn't look like invitation; not interested.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
97 months ago
My ipad is not finding the update. I got Beta 4 the other day but it says up to date now. I even restarted it. Did the ipad not get Beta 5?
Haha, this is MacOS.:p
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CheesePuff Avatar
97 months ago
For the love of god please fix the issue with external 4K monitors (Dell P2415Q in my case) not turning on when connected to a closed rMBP on a restart and then not allowing the built in screen to turn on when opening it, causing a hard reboot with the screen open. Worked great in all versions of El Capitan..
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
apple wallet drivers license feature

Apple Said iPhone Driver's Licenses Would Expand to These 8 U.S. States… Two Years Ago

Thursday March 14, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
In just four U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues. Adoption of the feature has been slow since Apple first announced it in September 2021, with IDs in the Wallet app only available in Arizona,...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
OLED iPad Air

iPad Air Next on Apple's OLED Tablet Roadmap Following iPad Pro

Friday March 15, 2024 3:30 am PDT by
The iPad Air will be the next Apple tablet to adopt OLED display panel technology following its upcoming OLED iPad Pro models, according to an updated forecast from research firm Omdia (via The Elec). "In 2028, we expect the iPad Air to go OLED as well, with the iPad Air using single-stack and the iPad Pro using two-stack tandem OLEDs," said Omdia researcher Kang Min-soo, speaking on...
Walmart MacBook Air M1

Walmart Begins Selling MacBook Air With M1 Chip for $699 in U.S.

Friday March 15, 2024 6:57 am PDT by
Walmart today announced that it has started selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in the U.S., with pricing set at a very reasonable $699. The laptop can be ordered now on Walmart.com, and it will be available soon at select Walmart stores. This is the first time that customers can purchase a Mac that is sold directly by Walmart, the company said in a press release. Some other retailers...