Apple has seeded macOS Tahoe 26.6 beta 5 to registered developers, one week after beta 4. The update is available over the air to Macs enrolled in Apple’s developer beta program, and can also be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center.
Developers can install the update by opening System Settings > General > Software Update. If it does not appear, make sure Developer Beta Updates are enabled and that a free Apple developer account is linked to the Mac.
Apple has not shared release notes for macOS Tahoe 26.6 beta 5, so it is likely to focus on bug fixes and security improvements rather than new features. With developer betas arriving weekly, the final update could be released within the next few weeks.
macOS Tahoe 26.6 is a maintenance update arriving alongside Apple’s next major Mac release, macOS Golden Gate. Tahoe introduced the Liquid Glass design, which has drawn mixed feedback, and Golden Gate is expected to refine that experience. The upcoming release will also bring a more personalized Siri, improved search, better performance, and updates to apps including Safari, Messages, Mail, and Calendar.
macOS Tahoe is the final macOS release to support Intel-based Macs, as Golden Gate drops support for them. Users who want to keep receiving the latest macOS features will need an Apple silicon Mac.
Apple is also testing iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, HomePod software 27, and new AirPods firmware with developers. Public betas for these updates are expected later this month.
Apple also released beta 5 of iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6, along with watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6, which are similarly minor updates.
