Apple rolls out macOS 26.5 RC, here’s what’s coming

Developers and public beta testerscan now download the first Release Candidate of macOS 26.5, ahead of the official rollout in the coming days. Here’s what to expect from macOS 26.5.

What to expect from macOS 26.5

Following four developer betas and three public betas, Apple is now rolling out the first Release Candidate for macOS 26.5, a build that, barring any last-minute issues, is expected to match the version released to the general public in the coming weeks.

Unlike macOS 26.4, which introduced a handful of user-facing changes like Charge Limit and the return of Safari’s compact tab view, macOS 26.5 appears to be a more modest update, with the focus shifting toward stability improvements and bug fixes rather than new, flashy features.

That said, some of the upcoming additions still tie into broader ecosystem changes, including progress on end-to-end encryption for RCS, Live Activities support for third-party accessories in Europe, and a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps.

macOS 26.5 will also roll out a new App Store pricing option: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. In practice, this will give users a way to split annual plans into smaller monthly payments, while still requiring users to commit to the full term.

As always, we are digging through the new beta and will report back if we find anything noteworthy. The release build for macOS 26.5 RC 1 is 25F71.

How to install the new beta

Here’s how to install the macOS Tahoe 26.5 Release Candidate:

1. Backup your Mac
2. Open System Settings
3. Go to General ⇾ Software Update
4. Click the ‘i’ icon next to Beta Updates
5. From the dropdown menu in the top-right, select the macOS Developer Tahoe Beta
6. Hit ‘Done’

Did you spot any changes in today’s betas? Let us know in the comments.

Worth checking out on Amazon

• David Pogue – ’Apple: The First 50 Years’
• MacBook Neo
• Logitech MX Master 4
• AirPods Pro 3
• AirTag (2nd Generation) – 4 Pack
• Apple Watch Series 11
• Wireless CarPlay adapter