Apple has released the first public beta of macOS 26.5, giving public testers early access to the next update for the Mac.
The release comes shortly after Apple seeded the first developer beta earlier this week. Anyone enrolled in the public beta program can now download the update through Software Update in System Settings.
The build number for macOS 26.5 public beta 1 is 25F5042g, which matches the current developer beta.
A quieter update than macOS 26.4
So far, macOS 26.5 appears to be a smaller update compared to macOS 26.4.
The previous update introduced several noticeable changes, including:
- A Charge Limit feature for MacBook battery health
- The return of compact tab view in Safari
- An alert warning users about the eventual removal of Rosetta 2
At the moment, macOS 26.5 appears to focus mainly on bug fixes and stability improvements, with no major new features discovered yet.
That could change as Apple releases additional beta builds in the coming weeks.
likely one of the final macOS 26 updates
The timing suggests macOS 26.5 could be one of the final major updates before WWDC 2026.
Apple is expected to unveil macOS 27 during its annual developer conference this summer, which typically introduces the next generation of macOS features and design changes.
Because of that, macOS 26.5 will likely focus on polishing the current version rather than introducing significant new functionality.
How to install macOS 26.5 public beta
If you want to try the update early, you will need to enroll your Mac in Apple’s public beta program.
Follow these steps to install macOS 26.5 public beta 1:
- Enroll your device at the Apple Beta Software Program website
- Open System Settings on your Mac
- Go to General > Software Update
- Click the “i” icon next to Beta Updates
- Select macOS Tahoe 26 Public Beta from the dropdown
- Click Done to begin the update process
Once enabled, your Mac will receive future beta updates automatically.
When the final macOS 26.5 update may arrive
Apple typically releases several beta builds before shipping the final version to the public.
Based on previous macOS release timelines, the stable version of macOS 26.5 will likely arrive later this spring, just ahead of Apple’s next major software announcements at WWDC.
