Apple has released macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3 for users enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program. The update arrives one day after the fifth developer beta and brings the same build to public testers ahead of the expected fall release.
This is primarily a refinement update rather than a major feature drop. Apple has refreshed several app icons, adjusted window corners, and continued polishing the Liquid Glass interface. Here’s what’s new in macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3.
What’s New in macOS 27 Public Beta 3
Learn how to install macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta in our step-by-step guide here.
Apple Refreshes More App Icons
The most noticeable change in the latest beta is a new round of app icon updates.
Apple has refreshed icons for Siri, Activity Monitor, Safari, the App Store, and Chess, with additional refinements appearing across the system. The changes continue Apple’s broader visual refresh as it prepares macOS 27 Golden Gate for its public release.
The updated icons are relatively minor individually, but together they give the system a more consistent look.
Windows Get More Consistent Corner Radii
Apple is also refining the shape of windows and app interfaces in macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3.
Windows and apps now use a more consistent corner radius rather than dynamically changing the shape based on the elements inside the window. This is a noticeable change from macOS 26 Tahoe, where corner radii could vary depending on the title bar and other interface elements.
The adjustment should make different apps feel more visually consistent across macOS.
Apple Continues Refining Liquid Glass
The latest beta continues Apple’s work on Liquid Glass rather than introducing another major redesign.
Apple has adjusted transparency and separation across the interface so controls remain easier to distinguish against complicated backgrounds. The broader macOS 27 update also gives users a slider to adjust the intensity of the Liquid Glass effect.
These changes are part of Apple’s ongoing effort to make the new design easier to use without abandoning the visual style introduced with macOS 26.
The Latest Beta Uses Build 26A5406e
macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3 uses build 26A5406e, which matches the developer beta released the previous day.
Because the public and developer versions use the same build, public beta testers are getting the same changes that Apple made available to developers in Beta 5.
macOS 27 Golden Gate Features
macOS 27 Golden Gate is a much larger update than the changes in Public Beta 3 suggest.
The update introduces Siri AI, which can search the web, access personal information, understand what’s on the screen, and perform actions across apps. Apple is also introducing a dedicated Siri app for longer conversations.
Visual Intelligence is coming to Mac as well, allowing Siri to analyze content displayed on the screen. Apple is also expanding Apple Intelligence through Write with Siri, AI-powered Photos editing, natural-language Shortcuts, and the ability to create Safari extensions using prompts.
Liquid Glass is another major part of macOS 27 Golden Gate. Apple has added a slider that lets users adjust the transparency and intensity of the interface, while toolbars, sidebars, and window layouts have received broader design changes.
Apple is also promising performance improvements across macOS 27, including faster and smoother interactions on supported Macs.
macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3 Is Available Now
macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 3 is now available through Apple’s public beta program.
If your Mac is already enrolled, open System Settings > General > Software Update, click the information button next to Beta Updates, select macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta, and install the available update.
If you’re joining the public beta for the first time, you’ll need to enroll your Mac through Apple’s Beta Software Program first.
As with any pre-release software, macOS 27 Golden Gate can contain bugs and other issues. Back up your Mac before installing the beta, particularly if you’re using it as your primary computer.
Apple is expected to continue beta testing macOS 27 Golden Gate through August, with the final release planned for this fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro.
