Earlier today as Apple was unveiling OS X Yosemite for the first time at the Worldwide Developers Conference, software chief Craig Federighi announced that there would be a public open beta for the new operating system ahead of its launch this fall. Now, users on our forums have discovered an AppleSeed sign up page for the program, with Apple noting that the program is open to the first one million users who register.

osx_yosemite_open_beta2

How can I participate?

To join the OS X Beta Program, just sign up using your Apple ID. When the beta software is ready, you’ll receive a redemption code that will allow you to download and install OS X Yosemite Beta from the Mac App Store. Then go ahead and start using it. When you come across an issue that needs addressing, report it directly to Apple with the built-in Feedback Assistant application.

Users will also need to be running OS X Mavericks, and Apple recommends that the OS X Yosemite beta be installed on a secondary Mac in the event of possible bugs and errors.

OS X Yosemite includes a brand new user interface design alongside major new features focusing on seamless integration between Mac and iOS devices. The new operating system also includes a new cloud storage solution called iCloud Drive, as well as the ability to make phone calls and texts through an iPhone.

Top Rated Comments

XboxMySocks Avatar
151 months ago
That leaves you with 2 options.

1) Install Yosemite beta as your only OS

2) Don't use Yosemite beta

Really. I don't understand why it's so damn hard for people to get this.

For real.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
151 months ago
But I don't want to deal with two OS's. I want all my life on one.

That leaves you with 2 options.

1) Install Yosemite beta as your only OS

2) Don't use Yosemite beta
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jbachandouris Avatar
151 months ago
They said "coming this summer." Summer doesn't start until June 21st, officially. And we could be waiting until July or even August. Who knows.

Developers can download a preview now. The public beta will come later.

That's the confusion: the developers can download NOW and the public beta will be later. There are so many posts on here of people already using it, its easy to confuse the two.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HenryDJP Avatar
151 months ago
I really want to sign up but also don't want to deal with bugs. what to do.... :confused:

Um, the article explained what to do.

----------

I'm really looking forward to testing out the Beta, but I just hope that they iron out a few kinks inside the Developer Program first before they release the Beta to the public. I'm expecting bugs, but hopefully not the sort of bugs which make work impossible.:eek:

As a beta tester it's your job to discover the bugs and report them. It shouldn't be used for your daily work.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S.B.G Avatar
151 months ago
But I don't want to deal with two OS's. I want all my life on one.

Sounds like you have a quandary to solve on your own then.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sevoneone Avatar
151 months ago
I should have known better but in the excitement of Apple releasing Yosemite I being an IOS developer downloaded the Yosemite not thinking it would be nearly this buggy because pre release iOS software isn't nearly this bad. I ended up installing it on my main mac an can barely use it is there any way i can revert back to a stable version pf mavericks for a few weeks till this becomes a bit more stable.

----------

Another problem I have ran into is I am running this on my mac book pro retina display but it will not allow me to turn up the audio at all and in the system prefs it shows that there is no output device! please help i need to get audio working.

Time machine, or carbon copy cloner. Please tell me you have a backup?

I only saw one other person mention this, but since 10.6 you can install OS X in a virtual machine, as long as the host environment is running on Apple Hardware. VM Ware Fusion isn't terribly expensive and you can indulge your beta desires without risking your stable installation.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

top stories 2025 12 20

Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

Saturday December 20, 2025 6:00 am PST by
You'd think things would be slowing down heading into the holidays, but this week saw a whirlwind of Apple leaks and rumors while Apple started its next cycle of betas following last week's release of iOS 26.2 and related updates. This week also saw the release of a new Apple Music integration with ChatGPT, so read on below for all the details on this week's biggest stories! Top Stories i...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Features Leaked in New Report, Including Under-Screen Face ID

Tuesday December 16, 2025 8:44 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with under-screen Face ID, and the front camera will be moved to the top-left corner of the screen, according to a new report from The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu. As a result of these changes, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro models will not have a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen....
ios 18 security update

Don't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 [Update: Now Unavailable]

Friday December 19, 2025 10:37 am PST by
Since the beginning of December, Apple has been pushing iPhone users who opted to stay on iOS 18 to install iOS 26 instead. Apple started by making the iOS 18 upgrades less visible, and has now transitioned to making new iOS 18 updates unavailable on any device capable of running iOS 26. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, Apple is no longer offering new versions of iOS 18, even though there...
airpods pro 3 new blue

AirPods Pro 3's Static and Noise Issues Haven't Been Resolved

Thursday December 18, 2025 3:44 pm PST by
Since the AirPods Pro 3 launched, there have been complaints from users who have noticed a static-like sound or a crackling issue when using the earbuds, particularly when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing. Users have also run into strange high-pitched whistling sounds that happen intermittently. We shared the issues back in late October, and despite two subsequent...
apple music chatgpt

ChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live

Wednesday December 17, 2025 3:50 pm PST by
There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists. Apple Music can be added to ChatGPT through the Settings section in the Mac app, website, or iOS app. Apple Music is listed under the apps option, and connecting to it requires signing in with your Apple Account for authorization purposes. ChatGPT can be used to...
apple beta 26 lineup

Apple's 2026 and 2027 Product Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, M5 Macs, and More

Tuesday December 16, 2025 4:42 pm PST by
There has been a whirlwind of rumors over the last few days, sourced from leaked internal software designed for the iPhone and the Mac, and news sites like The Information. Below, we have a quick recap of everything we've heard this week, which serves as a guide to Apple's product plans in 2026 and beyond. We've organized the info by likely release date, though there are some products that...
samsung exynos 2600 2nm%402x

Samsung Announces World's First 2nm Mobile Chip Ahead of Apple

Friday December 19, 2025 3:59 am PST by
Samsung has officially unveiled the Exynos 2600, the world's first 2 nanometer mobile system-on-a-chip (SoC), built on the company's Gate-All-Around (GAA) process. The 10-core ARM-based design aims to deliver improved performance and efficiency for flagship devices like the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The chip uses Arm's latest cores and supports new instructions for improved CPU speed and...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...