Apple Releases First OS X 10.11.1 El Capitan Public Beta

Apple today seeded the first beta of OS X 10.11.1 El Capitan to public beta testers, just days after first releasing the beta to developers and roughly a week and a half before OS X El Capitan will be released to the public on September 30.

The new beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

os_x_el_capitan_roundup
The first beta of OS X 10.11.1 introduced support for Unicode 8 and new emoji like taco, burrito, cheese wedge, hot dog, middle finger, and unicorn head. The emoji are also included in iOS 9.1, which is also in testing.

Beyond new emoji, there have been no other outward-facing changes discovered, suggesting OS X 10.11.1 is a minor update that will bring bug fixes and performance enhancements. According to Apple's release notes, the beta offers stability, compatibility, and security improvements.

Related Forum: OS X El Capitan

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...

Top Rated Comments

DHagan4755 Avatar
136 months ago
Well thank god, we needed updated emojis.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
136 months ago
606mb of burrito emojis
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
136 months ago
I'm beginning to sour on the public betas. I had an issue with my Mac Pro a few weeks ago, and Apple's Tech Support flatly refused to help me because I was running the beta. They told me to wait for the "legitimate" El Capitan release and then call them back.
Zero sympathy. You knew exactly what you're getting into. If you didn't, now you know. Your job is to report the bugs, not ask for them to be fixed by tech support on the spot.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
136 months ago
is there a way to get out of public beta? Outside of formatting?
Preferences > App Store > change ".. receive pre-release .."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Even Longer Avatar
136 months ago
Well thank god, we needed updated emojis.
Right. But the middle finger Emoji characterizes this update in the most meaningful way.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
136 months ago
Looks like everyone at Apple is obsessed with betas. Just keep releasing betas and fix no bugs even if someone reports. This Craig Federighi guy is a joker and he has made OS X a mess!
I think El Cap is very stable and the best OS X has ever been but hey we have different opinions.

Every bug i report is fixed. Public betas are betas, feedback is feedback, it's a great way to test the software and benefit everyone, preferring to keep it locked up and only release a GM with major bugs is not really an option now. The pace of development on OSX has never moved so fast, it's core functions hadn't changed much for 15 years and then in the last 3-4 we've got so many new things i can't even count them.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)