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MacOS 27 Beta

MacOS 27 beta. How to install the macOS 27 public beta or developer beta, the beta release dates, and what to expect from the next macOS version.

Apple will preview macOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8, 2026. A developer beta should arrive the same day, and a public beta should follow in July. You can try the macOS 27 beta to see the next macOS version months before its final release in the fall. For a full preview of the release, see macOS 27.

This article shows you how to install the macOS 27 beta and what to expect. The beta runs only on Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs, because macOS 27 drops support for every Intel Mac.

You are reading Mac Install Guide, a trusted source for Mac setup. See the complete Mac setup checklist.

Before you get started

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What is the macOS 27 beta

A beta is a pre-release version Apple shares for testing before the final release. The macOS 27 beta lets developers test their apps and lets curious users try new features early. Betas are not finished software, so expect bugs and rough edges.

There are two beta tracks. The developer beta comes first, on the day of the WWDC keynote. The public beta follows a few weeks later and is usually more stable. Both are free.

MacOS 27 beta release dates

Apple follows the same yearly schedule for each macOS release. Here are the expected dates for the macOS 27 beta:

  • Developer beta: June 8, 2026, right after the WWDC keynote
  • Public beta: around July 2026
  • Final public release: fall 2026, most likely September

The June 8 keynote date is official. The beta and release dates follow Apple's usual pattern and are not yet official.

Decide whether to install the macOS 27 beta

Install the macOS 27 beta only if you have a spare Mac, or if you are comfortable booting from a separate volume or an external drive. Beta software can have bugs that disrupt your work, so always keep a stable Mac available.

The macOS 27 beta runs only on Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs. You cannot install it on an Intel Mac. If you have an Intel Mac, your latest option is MacOS Tahoe 26, the final version that supports Intel hardware.

New features in the macOS 27 beta

The first developer beta does not include every feature. Apple adds and changes features as new betas are released through the summer. For the expected feature list, from the smarter Siri to the refined Liquid Glass design, see macOS 27.

Where to install the macOS 27 beta

Your best option is to install the macOS 27 beta on a spare Mac with Apple Silicon (M-series). Installing on a spare Mac lets you try the new version without risking your daily work.

If you do not have a spare Mac, you can install the beta on a separate volume on your main Mac, or on an external drive. You then hold the power button at startup to choose which system to boot. The sections below cover all three methods.

Check your macOS version first

Before you install the macOS 27 beta, confirm your Mac runs the current macOS version.

Confirm your Mac is compatible

The macOS 27 beta requires a Mac with Apple Silicon (M-series). Apple lists supported models on its macOS site. To check your model against the list, see the article:

Back up your Mac

If you install the beta on a new Mac with no files, you do not need a backup. The same is true if you keep all your important files in the cloud.

Otherwise, back up your Mac before you install the macOS 27 beta. You can use Time Machine or a cloud backup service such as Backblaze or Carbonite.

The automated software update performs an "over the top" installation, which keeps your files in place. However, it is always wise to have a backup in case something goes wrong.

Sign up for the public beta or developer beta

The public beta and the developer beta are not the same. The developer beta is released first, and the public beta follows a few weeks later. The public beta is more stable and has fewer bugs.

macOS Public Beta

The public beta is available after the WWDC conference. It is free and open to anyone who wants to try the new macOS version. Sign up for the public beta on the Apple Beta Software Program website. After you sign up with your Apple ID, your System Settings will show that beta updates are available.

The developer program is for software developers who want to test their apps on the new macOS version. Anyone can sign in to the Apple Developer Program with an Apple ID (click "Account" in the navbar). Full enrollment costs $99 per year, but you can get the developer beta without enrolling, as long as you sign in with your Apple ID.

Install the macOS 27 beta on a spare Mac

Here is how to install the macOS 27 beta on a spare Mac running macOS Tahoe 26.

  1. Click this shortcut to skip to step 4.
  2. Or, open System Settings and go to General and Software Update.
  3. Click the "circle I" info button next to Beta Updates.
  4. Set Beta Updates to macOS 27 Public Beta.
  5. If you prefer a developer beta, select that instead.
  6. Click "Done" and your Mac will check for software updates.
  7. After the check, the upgrade name appears with an "Upgrade Now" button.
  8. Connect to power, because software updates require at least 20% battery.
  9. Enter your password to start the download. With a fast connection, expect about 30 minutes, then about 15 minutes to prepare.
  10. Your Mac restarts to install. Expect about 15 minutes with several automatic restarts.
  11. At the login screen, enter your Mac password and Apple ID, then step through the setup screens.
  12. The desktop appears with the Feedback Assistant open. Use it to report any bugs you find.
  13. Check About This Mac to confirm you are running the macOS 27 beta.

If you do not see the macOS 27 Public Beta option, sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. After you sign up with your Apple ID, your System Settings will show that beta updates are available. Alternatively, sign in to the Apple Developer Program with your Apple ID (click "Account" in the navbar), then check again.

Install the macOS 27 beta on an external drive

Not many users own an external drive now that cloud storage is common. However, if you have one, you can install the macOS 27 beta on it. You must format the drive first, which erases any files on it. Use a fast SSD with a USB-C or Thunderbolt connection for a usable system. A USB thumb drive works too, but you need at least 32 GB of space.

Format the external drive

  1. Connect the external drive to your Mac.
  2. Search in Spotlight and open Disk Utility.
  3. Select the external drive in the left sidebar.
  4. Click Erase to reformat the drive.
  5. Name the drive macOS or whatever you like.
  6. Choose APFS as the format, which Apple Silicon requires to boot.
  7. Choose GUID Partition Map as the scheme.
  8. Click Erase to format the drive.
  9. Close Disk Utility when the formatting is done.

Get the macOS 27 beta installer

Apple offers the macOS developer beta on the Apple Developer downloads page. All you need is an Apple ID to sign in. However, this is an *.ipsw file, which only restores an Apple Silicon Mac from another Mac. To install on an external drive or a separate volume, you need an InstallAssistant.pkg file instead.

Several sites mirror Apple's *.pkg installers for macOS betas:

These are the same files Apple ships through the Mac App Store. Download the latest InstallAssistant.pkg. These files are large (14 GB or more), so a download can take more than 30 minutes on a fast connection.

Install on the external drive

Double-click the InstallAssistant.pkg file to start. Click "Change Install Location" and, at the "Destination Select" step, choose the external drive.

Install the macOS 27 beta on a separate volume

You can also install the macOS 27 beta on a separate volume of your main drive. You might hear this called a "dual boot" setup. Apple's APFS file system uses volumes, which work like flexible partitions. You end up with one volume for macOS Tahoe 26 and one for the macOS 27 beta, and you pick which to boot with the Startup Manager.

Create a new volume

  1. Search in Spotlight and open Disk Utility.
  2. Select the internal drive in the left sidebar.
  3. Click the + button to add a new volume (or "Edit" then "Add APFS Volume").
  4. Name the volume macOS 27 beta or whatever you like.
  5. Choose APFS as the format.
  6. Click Add to create the volume.
  7. Click "Done" and close Disk Utility.

Install on the new volume

Get the InstallAssistant.pkg file as described above. Double-click it to start. Click "Change Install Location" and, at the "Destination Select" step, choose the volume you created.

Use the Startup Manager

On an Apple Silicon Mac, hold down the power button while starting up to open the Startup Manager. "Loading startup options" appears. You can boot from the internal drive, an external drive, a separate volume, or "Options."

Select the external drive or volume to boot the macOS 27 beta. You can set a default in System Settings then Startup Disk.

Halt macOS 27 beta updates

Click this shortcut to open System Settings then General then Software Update. Click the "circle I" info button next to Beta Updates and set Beta Updates to Off. This stops the beta updates.

This step matters if you no longer want the beta. Without it, your Mac keeps updating to each new beta version.

Return to macOS Tahoe 26

If you run the beta on an external drive or a separate volume, your Mac still has macOS Tahoe 26 on the internal drive. Reformat the external drive or delete the volume when you are done with the beta.

If you installed the beta on a spare Mac, you can return to the stable release by reinstalling macOS Tahoe 26. Search the Mac App Store for "macOS Tahoe" and click "Get" to download it, or follow the steps in Upgrade macOS to Tahoe. The download can take an hour or more, then the installer launches automatically.

Continue setting up your Mac

Don't miss the full visual roadmap and checklist that shows how to set up a Mac for software development, with all the essential tools and settings you might not yet know about.