Apple has made the first macOS Tahoe developer beta available for testing before its official release in the fall, but don't be fooled into thinking only developers can download it. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.

macos tahoe design
Getting access to the macOS Tahoe developer beta is simple, and can be done by registering your Apple Account with the Apple Developer program. The extra steps you need to complete to install the software on your Mac are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Should I Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta?

With macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces a major redesign for the platform with the all-new Liquid Glass interface, along with a host of new features. These include the Phone app on Mac, powerful new Spotlight actions, further Apple Intelligence integration, a dedicated Games app, and customizable backgrounds in Messages. Live Activities from iPhone also make their way to your Mac's menu bar, which now has a fully customizable Control Center. With so many additions and a striking visual update, it's no surprise that macOS Tahoe is generating a lot of interest among Mac users.

But before you commit, bear in mind that Apple does not recommend installing macOS developer beta updates on your main Mac. Remember, this is beta software, which means there are almost certainly bugs and issues that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems with the system. Indeed, one of the reasons that Apple releases the beta to developers early is so that they can feed back problems and help Apple debug them. If you have a spare Mac hanging around, by all means use that, but we would be the first to advise holding off until at least July, when the macOS Tahoe public beta is expected to drop.

Is My Mac Supported?

macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Mac models, according to Apple:

  • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
  • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
  • MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • iMac (2020 and later)
  • Mac mini (2020 and later)
  • Mac Studio (2022 and later)
  • Mac Pro (2019 and later)

macOS Tahoe officially drops support for the following Macs (earlier models than those shown are also not supported):

  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
  • iMac Pro (2017)
  • Mac mini (2018)

Don't Forget to Back Up Your Mac

Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing the software using the method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to the previous version of macOS if things go wrong.

How to Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

  1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.
  2. Open System Settings on your Mac and select General ➝ Software Update.
  3. Look for "Beta Updates" and click the info (i) symbol next to it.
    settings

  4. Choose macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta from the dropdown list.
    settings

  5. Click Upgrade Now to begin the update process to macOS 26.
    2install macos 26 beta

That's all you need to do. The installation process will complete just like a standard macOS update, so sit back and let the installation finish, after which your Mac will boot directly into the macOS Tahoe beta.

Top Rated Comments

MacLawyer Avatar
MacLawyer
7 weeks ago
If you're not a developer of if you're not installing on a secondary Mac, DON'T DO THIS.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Artemiz Avatar
Artemiz
7 weeks ago
MR should stop making articles about installing betas especially the initial ones of a major iOS revision.

Every year there’s a whole bunch of ppl reading just one article and suddenly becoming an expert. And when it doesn’t pan out great, they’re scrambling to restore which is both a pain and not a stroll in the park.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
7 weeks ago
Step One:

Reconsider any desire to install the beta.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wonderings Avatar
wonderings
7 weeks ago
I do it as a VM. I have Parallels and install the beta there. Not something I want for my main OS till it is finished, but want to do tests on things.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wonderings Avatar
wonderings
7 weeks ago

This solution causes that there are two systems, nothing to boot, but I avoid Parallels - it's time to say goodbye to this program.
That exactly the point of Parallels, running multiple OS's without removing your main OS. I have Windows 11 installed for the few things I need Windows for. I have Taho installed to test software on, all one my main work computer, no need for a bunch of different computers.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
7 weeks ago

MR should stop making articles about installing betas especially the initial ones of a major iOS revision.

Every year there’s a whole bunch of ppl reading just one article and suddenly becoming an expert. And when it doesn’t pan out great, they’re scrambling to restore which is both a pain and not a stroll in the park.
I agree 100%

Folks that should be installing betas don't need MR guides to do it.

These guides just plant bad ideas in the heads of folks who should be waiting until the releases in the Fall.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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