How to Install MacOS Sequoia Public Beta

The MacOS Sequoia public beta program has just began, offering Mac users an opportunity to get early access and experience with the upcoming major MacOS system software release. Like all betas, the MacOS Sequoia public beta is not for everyone though, particularly since beta system software is much buggier and less stable than final versions.

If you’re an advanced Mac user who is comfortable with the risks associated with running beta MacOS versions, and if you’re interested in installing and running macOS Sequoia public beta, follow along and you’ll be running macOS Sequoia 15 beta in no time at all.

System Requirements for MacOS Sequoia

Installing MacOS Sequoia public beta is pretty easy, but you’ll want to make sure your Mac is compatible and has enough disk space available:

• Macs compatible with MacOS Sequoia include: MacBook Pro 2018 or newer, MacBook Air 2020 or newer, Mac Mini 2018 or newer, iMac 2019 or newer, iMac Pro 2017 or newer, Mac Studio 2022 and newer, Mac Pro 2019 and newer
• You will need at least 30 GB of free disk space available to download and install MacOS Sequoia
• Your Apple ID must be enrolled in the MacOS Sequoia Public Beta program
• You will want a full backup made of your Mac with Time Machine or your backup method of choice

How to Install & Run MacOS Sequoia 15 Public Beta on Mac

Installing MacOS Sequoia 15 public beta requires you to enroll your Apple ID and your Mac to the public beta program, then it’s just a matter of downloading and installing the update to Sequoia. Be sure you backup your Mac before beginning.

1. First, go to beta.apple.com/programs and sign-in with your Apple ID and enroll in the public beta program for MacOS Sequoia
2. Next, go to the  Apple, and choose “System Settings”
3. Go to “General”, and then go to “Software Updates”
4. Look for the small (i) button next to “Beta Updates” and click on that
5. Select “MacOS Sequoia Public Beta” from the beta updates menu and then choose Done



6. In a moment, MacOS Sequoia 15 beta will appear available to download, click on “Upgrade Now” to begin downloading and installing MacOS Sequoia public beta



7. MacOS Sequoia beta installs like a regular software update, meaning there’s no confirmation or screens to walk through, it simply downloads and installs the update like any other



8. The Mac will restart to finish installation

Once your Mac finishes the installation, it will boot directly into MacOS Sequoia public beta.

Future updates to macOS Sequoia will arrive through the standard Software Update mechanism within System Settings. And yes, you can update directly from the public beta to the final version when it is released later in the fall.

Remember, some features also require other devices to be on the beta tracks as well, like iPhone Mirroring, which brings the iPhone screen to your Mac, but requires an iPhone to be running iOS 18 beta in order to use.

Additionally, some features, like many of the Apple Intelligence AI features and Siri enhancements, are not yet available.

Is MacOS Sequoia public beta reliable enough to use?

Beta system software is, by nature, less reliable and less stable than final versions of MacOS system software, and MacOS Sequoia public beta is no different in that regard. This can mean that apps or the Mac itself may crash or run slower than normal, there may be some app incompatibilities, and not all features of MacOS Sequoia are implemented or available yet.

There are mixed reports regarding overall stability of the MacOS Sequoia beta, but you might experience some issues, error messages, bugs, or other strange behaviors. For example, some users see an errant alert dialog appear after installation, warning that iCloud could not be setup, when in fact iCloud works just fine.

Again this is all not particularly unusual, it is beta system software afterall. If you’re not comfortable with bugs and unusual behavior, or potential incompatibilities, you likely want to stay away from beta software on your Mac, or other devices for that matter.

Apple has said that MacOS Sequoia will be finalized and released to the public in the fall.