macOS 26.5 Beta 1 Released and Developers can Install it Now

Apple has released macOS 26.5 beta 1 to developers, just days after the public rollout of macOS 26.4. The new seed arrives alongside the first 26.5 betas for Apple’s other platforms, and the current build number for macOS 26.5 beta 1 is 25F5042g.



This looks like the next step in Apple’s usual post-release beta cycle. With WWDC26 now officially set for June 8 to June 12, 2026, macOS 26.5 will likely be one of the last notable macOS 26 updates before Apple previews macOS 27.



Right now, Apple has not outlined any user-facing changes in macOS 26.5 beta 1, and that is normal for an early developer seed. If we find any new features, fixes, or hidden changes in this build, we will update this story, so stay tuned.



How to install macOS 26.5 beta 1



If your Mac is already set up for developer betas, here’s how to get the update:




Back up your Mac.



Open System Settings.



Go to General > Software Update.



Click the i button next to Beta Updates.



Choose macOS Developer Tahoe Beta.



Click Done, then return to Software Update and install the beta.




macOS 26.4 brought several notable additions before this new beta, including Charge Limit, new emoji, Rosetta 2 sunset warnings, and the return of Safari’s compact tab view. That makes macOS 26.5 an update worth watching, even if beta 1 starts quietly.



Did you spot any changes in macOS 26.5 beta 1? Let us know in the comments.