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Apple releases macOS 26.5 beta 4, here’s what to expect [U]

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Why This Matters

The release of macOS 26.5 beta 4 signifies Apple's ongoing focus on stability and performance enhancements ahead of WWDC 26, with minimal new features. This update is crucial for developers and early adopters to test bug fixes and prepare for upcoming major releases, ensuring a smoother user experience. It also highlights Apple's strategic approach to incremental updates, balancing innovation with reliability.

Key Takeaways

Update: Apple is now rolling out public beta 3 (which is mismatched with developer beta 4, since Apple skipped a public beta release a few weeks ago). macOS 25.4 public beta 3 has the same build number as macOS 26.4 developer beta 4 released earlier today.

Just a week after releasing macOS 26.5 beta 3, Apple is now rolling out the fourth beta, ahead of its official release in a few weeks. Here’s what to expect.

A quiet release this time around

Contrary to macOS 26.4, which reintroduced the compact tab view in Safari, and introduced features such as the Charge Limit, it looks like macOS 26.5 will be a rather quiet release.

So far, macOS 26.5 hasn’t seen any major changes, with most new features either landing in iOS 26.5 or introduced as cross-platform updates.

That includes progress on end-to-end encryption for RCS, Live Activities support for third-party accessories in Europe, and a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps.

Specifically on macOS, it is increasingly looking like the update will be a “bug fixes and performance improvements” kind of release, which is widely expected to be the last update before WWDC26 and the unveiling of macOS 27.

The release build for macOS 26.5 beta 4 is 25F5068a.

How to install the new beta

Here’s how to install the macOS Tahoe 26.5 developer beta 4:

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