The first macOS Sonoma beta has been made available to developers, and in a first for Apple, non-developers can download the beta for free on their Macs. Read on to find out how to do it.
When Apple released major operating system updates in the past, the first wave of betas could only be downloaded by paying $99 a year for Apple’s Developer Program. After a delay of a few days or weeks after the developer beta has been released, public betas are made available to users who are enrolled in Apple’s Public Beta Software Program. However, you don’t have to wait until the public beta this year to try out macOS 14 first.
Even if they are not a paying member of Apple’s Developer Program, anyone who signs in to Apple’s developer account website using their Apple ID has access to developer beta releases in 2023. This implies anybody with a Macintosh ID can download and introduce the iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma betas without trusting that the public betas will send off.
Should I use the beta version of macOS Sonoma Developer?
Prior to downloading the update, it’s significant that Apple doesn’t suggest introducing the macOS Sonoma Beta on your primary Macintosh, so on the off chance that you have an optional Macintosh that has no significant information on it, utilize that. This software is in the beta stage, which means that there are frequently flaws and issues that arise that can make the software malfunction or cause other issues.
In light of that admonition, the means in the rest of this article tell you the best way to get macOS 14 betas on your Macintosh. But first, make sure your Mac is compatible.
Will macOS Sonoma Beta run on My Mac?
Compared to macOS Ventura, support for a few Mac models ends in macOS Sonoma. Macs such as the following are not supported:
- 2017 MacBook Pro
- 2017 iMac
- 2017 MacBook (12-Inch)
macOS Sonoma remains compatible with the following Macs:
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- MacBook Air: 2018 and later
- Mac mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later
Don’t Forget to Back Up Your Mac
Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing the software using the method, otherwise you won’t be able to revert back to the previous version of macOS if things go wrong.
How to Download the Mac OS X Sonoma Developer Beta
As of this writing, users who have previously enrolled in Apple’s Beta Software Program are also able to download and install the beta, even though the program is officially meant only for Public Betas. This suggests that the option is a flaw that Apple will probably fix. However, you can skip to step 6 until that occurs if you are currently enrolled in the Public Beta program.
- On your Mac, launch Safari and go to developer.apple.com.
- Click Account in the menu at the top of the webpage.
- Under “Sign in to Apple Designer,” enter and present your Apple ID and secret phrase utilizing the bolt fastens, then, at that point, whenever required, enter the two-factor validation code shipped off your Apple gadgets.
- Click Account again in the top menu strip.
- By checking the box and clicking “I Agree” further down the page, you can confirm your acceptance of the Apple Developer Agreement’s legal terms.
- Navigate to System Settings -> General -> Software Update to confirm that your Mac is running macOS Ventura 13.4 or later. If it is, restart your Mac after completing steps 1 through 5 to register a developer account. In the event that it isn’t, download and introduce the furthest down the line update to macOS Ventura, then, at that point, sit tight for it to restart.
- Return to System Settings -> General -> Software Update.
- Next to Beta updates, click the info icon (the circled “i”).
- In the Beta Updates window, click the chevrons close to where it says “Off.”
Click Done after selecting macOS Sonoma Developer Beta from the drop-down menu.
- Click Upgrade Now after waiting for the macOS 14 Beta to appear in the Software Update panel and following the on-screen instructions.
Features of macOS
Sonoma When it comes out this fall, macOS Sonoma has a number of new features. These include desktop widgets, aerial screensavers that look like those on Apple TV, improvements for apps like Messages and Safari, a new Game mode that gives priority to CPU and GPU performance when gaming, and more.
The new intelligent gadgets can now be put right on your work area. Gadgets mix into your work area backdrop to not be prominent while you’re working, and with Coherence you can utilize similar gadgets from your iPhone on your Macintosh.
macOS Sonoma likewise presents upgraded video conferencing highlights, including Moderator Overlay to permit a client to show themselves before the substance they are sharing. Screen Sharing has been improved with a simplified process, and reactions enable users to share how they feel during a video session.
Sonoma also adds a lot of new features to Safari. Profiles in Safari provide a means to separate browsing between topics, such as having one for work and one for personal browsing. An update to Private Browsing provides greater protection from trackers and from individuals who may have access to the user’s device. There’s additionally a better approach to make web applications that work like ordinary applications and allow you to get to your #1 site quicker.
