macOS beta

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on macOS beta:

macOS Monterey 12.3 beta resumes testing Universal Control [Updated]

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macOS Monterey Universal Control: Coming soon to a Mac (and other Apple gear) near you.
Universal Control: Coming to a Mac (and other Apple gear) near you. Eventually.
Photo: Apple

Apple seeded the first beta for macOS Monterey 12.3 to developers on Thursday. It includes the long-overdue Universal Control feature, suggesting this will finally launch soon.

The beta comes just a day after macOS 12.2 ended testing and was released to the public.

Smoother ProMotion scrolling moves closer with macOS 12.2 release candidate

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Smoother ProMotion scrolling moves closer with macOS 12.2 release candidate
The macOS 12.2 release candidate means a full release is almost here.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The macOS Monterey 12.2 release candidate went to developers on Thursday. This makes a full launch only a few days away.

Apple has yet to give an official list of changes in the upcoming version, but beta testers indicate it will offer smoother scrolling on MacBooks with ProMotion displays and a rewritten Apple Music app.

Apple also seeded to developers iOS 15.3 RC, iPadOS 15.3 RC, watchOS 8.4 RC and tvOS 15.3 RC on Thursday.

Apple begins testing macOS 12.2 with smoother ProMotion scrolling

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Apple begins testing macOS 12.2 with smoother ProMotion performance
macOS Monterey 12.2 beta 1 is out with some welcome improvements.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple began testing macOS Monterey 12.2 beta 1 on Thursday, just days after the release of macOS 12.1. An official list of what’s coming in the new version hasn’t yet been revealed by the Mac-maker, but tests with beta 1 have turned up a few changes. The much-anticipated Universal Control isn’t one of them, though.

This pre-release version seeded to developers was not accompanied by any iOS, iPadOS or watchOS betas on Thursday.

macOS 12.1 release candidate brings SharePlay a big step closer to Mac

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SharePlay for Mac iPad and iPhone
A highlight of macOS 12.1 Monterey will be SharePlay.
Photo: Apple

Developers got access to the macOS 12.1 release candidate on Tuesday. This means beta testing of the new Monterey version is almost over, and Mac users will soon be able to start playing with SharePlay. But there’s still no sign of the much anticipated Universal Control feature.

Apple also seeded release candidates for iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2 and watchOS 8.3 to developers.

macOS 12.1 Monterey moves closer with SharePlay and (maybe) Universal Control

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SharePlay for Mac iPad and iPhone
A highlight of macOS 12.1 Monterey will be SharePlay.
Photo: Apple

Apple seeded macOS 12.1 beta 4 to developers on Wednesday. It has a build number that ends in “a,” which suggests the public release is only a week or two away. This version of Monterey will bring SharePlay to the Mac. It might also be the debut of the much anticipated Universal Control.

It is not accompanied by fresh betas of iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2 or watchOS 8.3.

First macOS 12.1 Monterey beta resumes testing missing features

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First macOS 12.1 Monterey beta resumes testing missing features
macOS 12.1 might bring some much anticipated Monterey features.

Developers just got their hands on macOS 12.1, the initial major update to Monterey. It’s Apple’s first opportunity to test features missing from macOS 12, like SharePlay and Universal Control.

But the beta is so new it’s not yet clear whether these features are in it yet.

First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing missing features

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First iOS 15.1 beta resumes testing of missing features
That didn’t take long.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 15.1 to developers on Tuesday, just a day after the general public got access to iOS 15. The company also gave devs access to the initial betas for iPadOS 15.1, watchOS 8.1 and tvOS 15.1. These are expected to include some of the features promised earlier but removed from the versions that debuted on Monday to give additional development time.

In addition, Apple released to macOS Monterey beta 7 to developers.

Latest iOS 15 beta is stable enough to try, but hold off on macOS Monterey

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9 great features you might have overlooked in iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey
Feeling brave? You can try the latest betas for iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. But stay away from testing macOS Monterey.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s been a very weird summer for Apple’s beta program, with major changes happening months after the initial unveiling of the operating system upgrades. But iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 have finally reached the point where they’re stable enough for average users to try them out. The same goes for watchOS 8.

But that’s not true of macOS Monterey.

Nifty Universal Control still AWOL from macOS beta

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Universal Control is part of macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15.
Universal Control could be massive... if it ever gets added to macOS Monterey.
Screenshot: Apple

One of the highlights of macOS Monterey is Universal Control, which will let users easily jump between Mac and iPad. But there’s cause to question when the feature will become available because it isn’t in any pre-release version of the next Mac operating system, including the new beta 5.

Apple announced the feature two months ago and there’s no sign of it yet. There’s some irritation growing among Mac users about the delay.

First macOS 11.3 beta brings tweaks to Safari and Reminders

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First macOS 11.3 beta brings tweaks to Safari and Reminders
Those in the Apple Developer Program can begin testing macOS Big Sur 11.3.
Image: Cult of Mac

A mere day after the release of a fresh macOS version, Apple went ahead and seeded to developers macOS 11.3 beta 1. The company isn’t one to sit on its hands.

The new beta includes small improvments to Safari and Reminders. And enhancements to a range of other features too. Plus bug fixes, of course.

Latest macOS beta brings fab new tool for boosting battery life

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macOS Catalina is here. But proceed from Mojave with caution.
Portable Macs get the most attention in the new Catalina beta.
Photo: Apple

Apple seeded the second beta of macOS Catalina 10.15.5 to developers this morning, bringing with it a major change to the way MacBooks charge.

Several tech sites got an explainer from Apple on how the new Battery Health Management feature works. The tool is coming to every MacBook with a Thunderbolt 3 port — and it could be a godsend to your battery.

Apple’s new beta updates usher in iCloud folder sharing, universal purchases

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First iPadOS 13.4 Developer beta includes iCloud folder sharing
Developers can install iPadOS 13.4 to test out iCloud folder sharing. The same goes for iOS 13.4 and macOS 10.15.4.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The first pre-release versions of updates for all Apple computers include significant new features. iCloud folder sharing makes its delayed debut. And the ability to buy the iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS versions of third-party software as a single purchase is coming too.

These features appear in the initial developer betas of iOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4 and watchOS 6.2.

Apple begins beta testing macOS Catalina 10.15.1

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The Photos app gets a couple of new features in macOS Catalina 10.15.1.
The Photos app gets a couple of new features in macOS Catalina 10.15.1.
Photo: Apple

Just days after the release of its newest Mac operating system, Apple has started beta testing the first update, macOS Catalina 10.15.1

Currently, this offers just a few minor changes for this company’s laptops and desktops.

Apple drops macOS Catalina beta 6 to all [Updated]

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WWDC 2019
Catalina was unveiled in June and expected to hit Macs everywhere in September.
Photo: Apple

The day iTunes goes away for good moved a bit closer today with the release of a fresh developer beta of macOS Catalina. This is the sixth such, and the first in two weeks.

A version of this beta for the general public is expected shortly.

UPDATE: As expected, all can now access macOS Catalina Public beta 5. Devs got an extra beta early in this process, so this is the same version as Developer beta 6.

Grab the new iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS ‘bug fix’ betas

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The third beta of iOS 12.1.1 is available to anyone who wants it.
iOS 12.1.1 beta 3 is available to anyone who wants to download it.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The public just got their hands on the third beta of iOS 12.1.1, which developers were able to access to this morning. This doesn’t bring new features, but makes some tweaks.

Developers can also download macOS 10.12.2 beta 3, tvOS 12.1.1 beta 3, and watchOS 5.2.1 beta 2.

iOS 11.4.1 and macOS 10.13.6 are nearly ready for release

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iOS 11
There are fresh beta versions of iOS and macOS. But they probably aren't the ones you're waiting for.
Photo: Apple

The wait is nearing the end for the next iPhone and Mac operating systems. However, these aren’t the big upgrades announced last month. Instead, iOS 11.4.1 and macOS 10.13.6 will fix bugs in the current versions.

Apple just released the fifth beta version of each of these. The full release can’t be far behind.

iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.12.4 inch closer to public release

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iPhone 7 in hand
Apple's new iOS update is nearly ready for primetime.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers received new beta software updates today for iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.12.4, possibly signaling that a public release is just around the corner.

The new updates come just a few days after Apple dropped the last betas of macOS 10.12.4 and iOS 10.3 on developers. Both updates come with a number of bug fixes and under the hood improvements to go with new features that were added in previous versions.

macOS 10.12.4 beta 3 arrives for devs and public testers

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macOS Sierra is here!
Grab the new macOS beta while it's hot.
Photo: Apple

Developers and members of Apple’s public beta software program can now install the latest beta of macOS 10.12.4 after Apple seeded the new update to testers this morning.

The new beta comes just one day after Apple gave developers a new fresh of software update for iOS 10.3, tvOS 10.2 and watchOS 3.2, bringing a bunch of bug fixes and under the hood improvements.

First iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1 betas arrive for developers

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News and Music ios10
New beta software for iPhone is here.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers received a big batch of beta software updates from Apple today.

New betas for iOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS are now available, bringing a host of bug fixes and performance updates just one week after Apple released iOS 10.1 with support for Portrait Mode on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Developers get new iOS 10.1 and macOS 10.12.1 betas

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macOS Sierra logo
Get the new macOS beta while it's hot.
Photo: Apple

Apple has dropped yet another beta build of iOS 10.1 to developers today as the company works to finalize the software update before making available to the public.

Along with iOS 10.1 beta 5, Apple also seeded the fifth beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.1 that is rumored to include support for the new MacBook Pro that will be unveiled at the end of October.

macOS Sierra beta 3 is now available to developers

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macOS Sierra is here!
macOS Sierra is here!
Photo: Apple

Following the launch of three new beta builds this morning, Apple has now made a new beta of macOS Sierra beta 3 available to developers this afternoon.

The new beta is available for download directly from the Mac App Store and comes two weeks after Apple dropped the second beta build of macOS Sierra that brings a ton of new features, including Siri for Mac, auto-unlock with Apple Watch, Apple Pay, better iCloud integration and more.