How to Install the New MacOS 27 Beta

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Apple’s “27” era is almost here, including macOS 27. The upcoming update may not offer as many new features as some previous versions of macOS, but it does have one truly important addition: in addition to a number of usability improvements, macOS Golden Gate includes several important updates to Apple Intelligence, including Siri AI . But if the only benefit of upgrading to macOS 27 is that my M1-equipped iMac runs a little smoother, I’ll be happy.

Apple’s new updates, including macOS 27, haven’t been officially released yet. They’ll likely arrive this fall for all compatible devices. However, your compatible Mac can run macOS Golden Gate right now: Apple has been beta testing the new updates with registered developers since WWDC in June, and on Monday, it opened beta testing to the public. This means if you’re willing to take the risk, you can try macOS 27 right now.

Don’t install macOS 27 beta without understanding the risks.

It’s tempting to try out new features before they’re generally available, especially when it comes to major innovations like Siri AI. But before installing the macOS 27 beta on your computer, be aware of the risks. Beta versions are unfinished software, meaning they may contain bugs and glitches that aren’t typically included in official updates. You could install the macOS 27 beta on your Mac and find it works perfectly, or you could encounter a bug that prevents you from using your computer as usual. This is a risk.

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However, it’s important to keep in mind that public beta testing is a much safer way to conduct beta testing. Apple spends about a month beta testing its updates with developers before releasing them to a wider audience. While technically anyone can sign up as a developer, the additional speed of testing allows for a smaller number of testers, preventing major issues from affecting a large number of users. If any glitches arise during developer testing, Apple can fix them, so by the time the public beta launches, all features will typically be free of critical bugs.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the macOS 27 public beta will be completely bug-free. Therefore, before installing the beta, be sure to back up all important data. Make sure all photos, documents, messages, etc. are saved to a secure location, not just included in an iCloud backup, in case of data loss during the beta testing process.

Which Mac computers are compatible with macOS 27?

While every iPhone that supports iOS 26 also supports iOS 27, macOS is a different story. Even if your Mac is running macOS 26, there’s no guarantee it’s compatible with macOS 27. In fact, Apple officially abandoned Intel this year, as none of its Intel-based Macs support macOS 27. Here’s the official list:

  • MacBook Neo

  • MacBook Air with Apple Silicon processor

  • MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon processor

  • iMac with Apple Silicon processor

  • Mac mini with Apple Silicon processor

  • Mac Studio

  • Mac Pro with Apple Silicon processor

Basically, if your Mac’s chip has an “M” in its name (e.g. M1, M5), it is compatible with macOS 27.

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How to install the macOS 27 public beta

Before installing the beta on your Mac, you’ll need to register your Apple account for the Apple Beta Program . Make sure the Apple account you use to register is the same one you use on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > General > Software Update , then click the (i) icon next to Beta Updates. Click Off next to Beta Updates, then select macOS Public Beta 27 Golden Gate. Now click Done. The rest of the installation is the same as installing any other macOS update.

How to install the macOS 27 developer beta

At this stage, the macOS developer beta is also more secure than before. Apple will continue to release new updates to the macOS 27 beta, first to developers and then to public testers, making it the best choice for users who want access to new updates as early as possible. Of course, this means losing the protection provided by a slight delay in the public beta.

If you’re interested in this, you’ll first need to enroll your Apple account in the Developer Program . This used to cost $99, but there’s now a free option for those who just want to try the developer beta. After enrolling, go to System Preferences > General > Software Update , then click the (i) icon next to Beta Updates. Click Off next to Beta Updates, then select macOS 27 Golden Gate Developer Beta. Once done, click Done, then follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the update.

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