Beta 3 of iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, & macOS Sonoma 14.6 Available for Beta Testing

While the majority of the Apple beta testing world has moved into iOS 18 beta, iPadOS 18 beta, and MacOS Sequoia beta, Apple continues to release beta versions for upcoming current generation system software as well. In this case, iOS 17.6 beta 3, iPadOS 17.6 beta 3, and macOS Sonoma 14.6 beta 3, are all available for beta testers.

These are presumed to be primarily bug fix releases with security updates, and are unlikely to include any major new features, as Apple focuses feature development efforts on the upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15 system software that is in concurrent beta development.

If you’re actively enrolled in the beta testing programs, you can access the beta versions of system software rather easily.

Installing iOS/iPadOS 17.6 beta 3

1. Go to Settings app on iPHone or iPad
2. Choose “General”
3. Select “Software Update”, and then tap to install the iOS/iPadOS 17.6 beta 3 update

Installing macOS Sonoma 14.6 beta 3

1. Go to  Apple menu
2. Select ‘System Settings’
3. Go to “General”, and then to “Software Update”
4. Choose to install macOS Sonoma 14.6 beta 3

Installing the betas requires a reboot, just like any other system software update.

Apple typically goes through several beta releases before issuing a final version, suggesting that iOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, and iPadOS 17.6 will be released either later in July or perhaps even August.

The latest stable builds of system software for non-beta users are currently macOS Sonoma 14.5, iOS 17.5.1, and iPadOS 17.5.1.