Developers and public beta testers can now download the first release candidate of macOS 26.5, ahead of the official rollout in the coming days. Here’s what to expect from macOS 26.5.
What to expect from macOS 26.5
After four developer betas and three public betas, Apple is currently rolling out the first release candidate for macOS 26.5, a version that, barring any last-minute issues, should match the version released to the general public in the coming weeks.
Unlike macOS 26.4, which introduced a handful of user-facing changes like the load limit and the return of Safari’s compact tab, macOS 26.5 appears to be a more modest update, with the focus on stability improvements and bug fixes rather than flashy new features.
That said, some of the upcoming additions still tie into broader ecosystem changes, including advancements in end-to-end encryption for RCS, live activity support for third-party accessories in Europe, and a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps.
macOS 26.5 will also deploy a new pricing option on the App Store: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. In practice, this will give users a way to break annual plans into smaller monthly payments, while still requiring users to commit to the full term.
As always, we’re investigating the new beta and will report back if we find anything interesting. The version for macOS 26.5 RC 1 is 25F71.
How to install the new beta version
Here’s how to install the macOS Tahoe 26.5 release candidate:
- Back up your Mac
- Open system settings
- Go to General ⇾ Software Update
- Click the “i” icon next to Beta Updates.
- From the drop-down menu at the top right, select macOS Tahoe Beta Developer.
- Click “Done”
Have you noticed any changes in today’s beta releases? Let us know in the comments.
To discover on Amazon
FTC: We use automatic, revenue-generating affiliate links. More.