MacOS Tahoe 26 Beta 2 Download Available Now
Apple has released MacOS Tahoe 26 beta 2 for Mac users enrolled in the developer beta testing program.
Separately, Apple has also issued iOS 26 beta 2, iPadOS 26 beta 2, visionOS 26 beta 2, tvOS 26 beta 2, and watchOS 26 beta 2.
MacOS Tahoe 26 includes an all new Liquid Glass interface appearance scheme with more transparency and shinier elements throughout the interface, along with the ability to change icon and folder colors, Spotlight gains actions and more search features, Live Activities arrive from iPhone, the Phone app is now on the Mac so you can check your voicemail and make calls from macOS, the Journal app arrives on the Mac, and a variety of other various changes and new features.
Any user can install macOS Tahoe 26 beta right now by enrolling in the Apple developer program, but it’s not advised for anyone who is not an advanced user. Beta system software is notoriously buggy and unreliable, and therefore should not be used on a primary workstation or by casual users.
How to Download MacOS Tahoe 26 Beta 2 Update
You will want to backup your Mac with Time Machine before starting any software update, but particularly with betas.
- Go to the Apple menu, then select “System Settings”
- Go to “General” and then to “Software Update”
- Choose to “Update Now” when you see MacOS Tahoe 26 beta 2 available to download
Installing the Tahoe beta 2 update will require the Mac to reboot to complete installation.
macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta 2 Installer & IPSW File Direct Download Links
Apple also hosts the full installer along with an IPSW file, the links below point to their CDN:
The full installer is useful for updating multiple Macs, creating boot disks, and more, whereas the IPSW file is useful for restoring another Apple Silicon Mac, or setting up a Tahoe virtual machine on MacOS Tahoe compatible Mac.
You can refer to our list of MacOS installers or MacOS Tahoe 26 installers and IPSW file links if needed.
Aside from MacOS Tahoe beta 2, you can also find iOS 26 beta 2, iPadOS 26 beta 2, watchOS 26 beta 2, tvOS 26 beta 2, and visionOS 26 beta 2.
I downloaded the IPSW file so I could install macOS 26 beta on a virtual machine, but both UTM and Parallels Desktop for Mac (20.4.0) tell me I need a software update. But when I attempt to install the update, I receive an error saying the update is not available on Apple’s servers. Is Apple screwing the pooch here? I’ve checked for updates, disabled my VPN, and nothing gets me to a completed install.
@Tony, I had the same issue with my virtual machine. I suspected because I did not enrol my VM into the beta program, perhaps that’s why I didn’t receive the update.
I did the fresh install using IPSW file as I don’t mind fresh installs for beta testing, but I would imagine that enrolling in the beta program inside the virtual machine should allow updates.
Many people report this issue so it may be something specific to beta 1
I have MacOS Tahoe beta 1 installed in a virtual machine and I can not find MacOS Tahoe beta 2 to download in the virtual machine, even if I refresh software update. Has anyone else experienced this before? What was your solution? I am contemplating creating a new virtual machine with the MacOS Tahoe Beta 2 IPSW file instead since I see there are a lot of improvements between the betas.
I had the same issue with my virtual machine. I suspected because I did not enrol my VM into the beta program, perhaps that’s why I didn’t receive the update.
I did the fresh install using IPSW file as I don’t mind fresh installs for beta testing, but I would imagine that enrolling in the beta program inside the virtual machine should allow updates.
I had the same issue with my virtual machine. I suspected because I did not enrol my VM into the beta program, perhaps that’s why I didn’t receive the update.
I did the fresh install using IPSW file as I don’t mind fresh installs for beta testing, but I would imagine that enrolling in the beta program inside the virtual machine should allow updates.
I have had updates not show in virtual machines before. I usually just download the installer and then install it over the existing machine – it takes time, but it works.
I also had this issue with Tahoe Beta 2 not arriving in my Tahoe VM running beta 1. I ended up creating a new virtual machine with tart from the command line, which I wrote about here:
https://osxdaily.com/2025/06/25/make-macos-tahoe-beta-vm-tart/
UTM is also excellent for making virtual machines, I use it frequently.
If you have room in your VM, downloading the installer and updating as @Daniel describes works great too!