Apple has just rolled out macOS Tahoe 26.1 developer beta 2, two weeks after seeding the first developer beta. The update continues Apple’s work on polishing the macOS 26 experience and laying the foundation for upcoming AI-powered features.
What’s New in macOS 26.1 Beta 2
The new build, labeled 25B5057f, focuses on bug fixes, performance improvements, and early AI integration work.
In the first beta, Apple quietly added frameworks preparing macOS for MCP (Model Control Protocol) — technology expected to help unify Apple’s AI experiences across devices.
This latest beta builds on that foundation while further expanding compatibility for Image Playground, the company’s creative AI tool that’s also coming to iOS and iPadOS.
Aside from these under-the-hood updates, users can expect smoother animations, better system stability, and improved responsiveness throughout macOS Tahoe. No major new features have been spotted yet, but these refinements often hint at broader features Apple plans to activate closer to release.
How to Install macOS Tahoe 26.1 Developer Beta 2
If you’re a registered Apple developer, you can grab the update directly from System Settings:
- Back up your Mac before updating.
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Click the ‘i’ icon next to Beta Updates.
- From the dropdown, choose macOS Developer Tahoe Beta.
- Hit Done, then download and install the update.
Alternatively, you can download the full installer from developer.apple.com for manual installation.
What’s Next
macOS 26.1 is shaping up to be a stability-focused update, smoothing out the initial macOS 26 rollout while quietly building support for upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
Suggested: Apple Releases iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2 for Developers
Public beta users should see this same build within the next 24–48 hours, followed by a general release later this month — possibly alongside iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1.
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