The macOS Catalina public beta is now available for you to test out

The public beta version of macOS is now available for free download from Apple to compatible Macs. 

Remember the mantra for beta software - we DO NOT recommend installing a beta operating system on your main Mac.

With a public beta it is unlikely there will be any major issues, but there will still be bugs and you don't want to discover there's an issue with the Mail app when you're trying to send that all-important email or your laptop locks up when you need to present something. 

How can you get MacOS Catalina public beta?

Register your Apple ID

Note: If you've already joined a public beta for macOS, you don't need to register again. Just sign in with the same Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com in Safari on your Mac.
2. Click on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a past beta, click Sign in and skip to "How to enroll your Mac".)
3. Enter you Apple ID email address and password.
4. Click Sign in.

Once you're signed in, you can start downloading.

Enroll your Mac

1. Go to beta.apple.com.
2. Click on the macOS tab.
3. Click Download macOS Public Beta Access Utility.
4. Open the file from your Downloads window.
5. Double-click the package to run the installer.
6. The Mac App Store will automatically open to the Updates section.
7. Click Update to download and install the public beta software.
8. After the software has been downloaded, your Mac will automatically restart.

Install the public beta

Note: The macOS Catalina installer will automatically open when it is downloaded.

1. Launch Install macOS Catalina Public Beta app, if it's not.
2. Click Continue at the bottom.
3. If prompted to make a backup, click Continue in the dropdown. If you already did, click Cancel.
4. Click Continue at the bottom.
5. Click Agree to accept the licensing terms.
6. Click Agree again to confirm.
7. Click on the drive you want for install.
8. Click Install.
9. Enter you administrator password and click OK.
10. Click Restart, if your Mac doesn't restart automatically.
11. Once your Mac restarts, it'll be running macOS Catalina.

If you want to check if it'll run on your system, check out this piece: 

• macOS Catalina system requirements: which Macs support macOS 10.15?

The finished version of macOS Catalina - as well as iOS 13 and iPad OS - will be available for general download in September. Catalina is the 15th revision of Mac OS X as it used to be known (so it's version number 10.15). 

Apple's macOS 10 releases used to be called after big cats - like Leopard and Panther - but for the last few years they've been named after places in California. 

Catalina comes with a bunch of new features including Sidecar - enabling you to use your iPad as a second display - and new Music, TV and Podcast apps as a first step to replacing the behemoth that is the iTunes app. 

Want more on macOS Catalina? Then check out our comprehensive feature run-downs here. 

• macOS Catalina features, news, and release date

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