Nearly two months after Apple announced it would release a public beta of OS X Yosemite, participants are finally getting their download notifications, allowing non-developers to access the new Mac operating system for the first time ever.
The initial public beta is the exact same build that’s currently being tested by registered developers, but Apple is giving 1 million people access to OS X Yosemite on a first-to-sign-up basis.
To get the public beta you’ll need to sign up on Apple’s website, if you still haven’t. Participants will receive an email with a Redemption Code that can be used to download OS X Yosemite beta 4 from the Mac App Store.
New beta builds will come out about every two weeks, giving ordinary users the ability to provide feedback on the new Yosemite features in advance of its final release this fall.
Before you dive head first into Dark Mode and the awesome power of Continuity, remember that this is still an early beta and some features, apps, and other services on your Mac may not work properly once its installed. To install the Yosemite beta without ruining your Mac, check out our easy-to-follow installation guide, and your experience will go as smooth as possible.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
