How to Download and Install macOS Tahoe 26 Beta

At WWDC 2025, Apple announced its latest major update to the Mac operating system, macOS Tahoe 26. The good news is that the macOS 26 developer beta is available now. If you’re eager to try the latest features and improvements before they’re officially released, you can download and install macOS 26 beta right now. However, you should also bear in mind that the beta version can be unstable in some cases.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to download and install macOS 26 beta on your Mac step by step. Check the compatibility, back up your Mac, and free up storage space. And then you can get started now!

Preparations Before Installing macOS Tahoe 26 Beta

Before installing macOS Tahoe 26, it’s important to complete a few key preparations to ensure the installation goes smoothly.

Check if Your Mac Is Compatible with macOS Tahoe 26

Below are the Macs that can run macOS Tahoe:

• MacBook Air 2020 and later
• MacBook Pro 2020 and later, including the 2019 16-inch
• Mac mini 2020 and later
• iMac 2020 and later
• iMac Pro 2017
• Mac Pro 2019 and later
• Mac Studio 2022 and later

Ensure Your Mac Has Enough Storage Space

Your Mac should also meet certain storage requirements. Considering the developer beta for macOS 26 exceeds 17 GB, you should have at least 35 GB of available storage on your Mac.

To check the free space on your Mac,

1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Click General > Storage.
3. Hover your mouse over the last grey part of the storage bar to show how much space is left on your Mac.

If your Mac is running low on storage space, BuhoCleaner comes in handy.. This simple and easy-to-use Mac cleaner can help you reclaim gigabytes of space in a couple of clicks (see how much space I cleaned up in the screenshot below).

Click the button below to try it out yourself.

Back Up Your Mac

Before installing macOS beta software on your Mac, it's necessary to back up your Mac data using Time Machine or a reliable third-party backup tool.

For detailed steps, check out How to Back Up Your Mac with and without Time Machine.

Once everything is ready, you can proceed to install macOS Tahoe beta on your Mac.

How to Download and Install macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta

Apple released the macOS 26 developer beta right after the WWDC held on June 9, 2025. To install it, you need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program.

Here's what to do:

1. Visit the Apple Developer Program website and enroll with your Apple ID.

   

2. Once succeeded, open System Settings on your Mac and navigate to “General” and “Software Update.”

   

3. Click the "i" button next to "Beta Update", select "macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta" from the dropdown menu, and click "Done".

   

4. Back to the Software Update interface, the macOS 26 developer beta will appear as an available update.
5. Click "Upgrade Now" and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

   

How to Download and Install macOS Tahoe 26 Public Beta

The public beta for macOS 26 is expected to be released in July 2025. As the exact date hasn’t been officially announced by Apple yet, you could track Apple’s release schedule to get the right time. Once it's available, follow the steps below to install it on your Mac:

1. Go to the Apple Beta Software program and sign in with your Apple ID.

   

2. On your Mac, open "System Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
3. Click the information icon next to "Beta Updates" and select "macOS 26 Public Beta".
4. When the macOS 26 public beta update appears on your screen, click "Upgrade Now" to start downloading it.
5. Follow the onscreen installation instructions.

FAQs About Downloading and Installing macOS Tahoe 26

By the end of the post, we’ll answer several frequently asked questions about installing macOS 26 beta.

1. Is It Safe to Install macOS Tahoe 26 Beta on My Main Mac?

   Technically, it’s unsafe to install the macOS beta version on your Mac. It could be unstable because macOS 26 beta is still in the early stages of development. It’s better to install on a separate APFS volume, secondary machine, or external drive to prevent any problems with your main Mac.

2. Can I Install macOS 26 Beta on an External Drive?

   Yes, it’s possible to install macOS Tahoe 26 beta on an external drive. This is a good idea if you don’t want to affect your macOS. You can create a bootable installer on the external drive and install macOS 26 beta there.

3. Can I Switch Between macOS 26 Beta and My Current macOS Version?

   Yes, assuming you have installed macOS 26 beta on a different volume or partition on your Mac. Simply, open System Settings > Startup Disk, select the macOS you want to start up, and click the Restart button.

4. What if I Encounter Issues During the macOS Tahoe Installation?

   • Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet.
   • Restart your Mac and try again.
   • If the issue persists, ask for help from Apple or the relevant forums.