Skip to Content

Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.6 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.6 update to developers, one day after releasing macOS Sierra 10.12.5, a minor update that introduced a fix for a bug with USB headphones and other small improvements.

macOS Sierra 10.12.6 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or using the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

012 macos sierra 970 80
We don't know yet what's included in the macOS Sierra 10.12.6 update, but with the debut of the next-generation version of macOS approaching, it's likely to feature minor bug fixes, improvements, and security enhancements.

Development of macOS is wrapping up as Apple transitions to macOS 10.13, which will be introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Related Forum: macOS Sierra

Popular Stories

macbook air blue

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...
ipad mini 7 1

Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

Friday February 27, 2026 12:08 pm PST by
With a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo? The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...

Top Rated Comments

redscull Avatar
115 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
115 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
I write these posts ahead of time so we can let you guys know as soon as a new beta is up. I can't combo them simply because they don't always come out at the same time. A new page isn't an option right now, but putting all minor beta updates on the blog is something we can consider.

I realize some people don't care for the beta posts, especially when they focus on minor changes, but a lot of people are interested in knowing when a new beta is out and discussing any possible changes.

We're coming up on iOS 11, macOS 10.13, and other new software releases, so beta posts will soon get a lot more exciting.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WildCowboy Avatar
115 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
In addition to what Juli said, we also separate them out so that the forum discussion threads can be focused on each release rather than a jumble. We know it's a flood of stories all at once most times, and we've tried to minimize it a bit by keeping iOS and macOS on the front page while we put watchOS and tvOS on the blog. We can start putting macOS on the blog again, but we've gotten complaints in the past about that making the Mac a second-class citizen and an example of the downfall of Apple and MacRumors. ;)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redheeler Avatar
115 months ago
Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?
There are those, like myself, that only run MacOS betas or only run iOS betas and don't want to scroll though off-topic posts in this thread that discuss the other. For me it's MacOS, which is why I'm here instead of the iOS article thread. So I'm fine with the separate articles, even prefer it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
115 months ago
Well, maybe this time it will be macOS 11
Just a feeling or call it a hunch - when Apple releases macOS 11 - it will be the end of Steve's touches on the Mac.
I just got this shiver...

I am not saying it's bad, I am only saying it might feel as a goodbye to an era for the Mac.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redscull Avatar
115 months ago
I realize some people don't care for the beta posts, especially when they focus on minor changes, but a lot of people are interested in knowing when a new beta is out and discussing any possible changes.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen and respond.

I agree that even the less interesting betas are still news worth posting [on some page]. I didn't want to advocate them disappearing entirely. It's just the plastering of multiple stories at once that gets in the way. Too bad we can't have a new patch log page. Not just because of feeling the non-major releases aren't front page worthy, but also because I think it'd make the release posts more interesting to view them with readily accessible historical context.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)