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macOS 27 public beta is here for Apple silicon Macs

Apple has released the first macOS 27 Golden Gate public beta. It only supports Apple silicon Macs and Apple warns against installing it on your main machine.

Image: MacRumors

Apple has released the first macOS 27 Golden Gate public beta ahead of the operating system’s full launch this fall, opening early access to Mac users willing to test unfinished software.

The new release brings the same Siri AI features Apple introduced in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, now accessible through Spotlight with the Command + Space shortcut. According to MacRumors, Siri can search the web, find information in photos, emails, and messages, answer questions about what is on screen with Visual Intelligence, and complete actions within and across apps. A dedicated Siri app also supports ongoing conversations.

Apple has also updated the Liquid Glass design first introduced last year. In macOS 27, users get a new transparency slider to adjust the overall system effect, while changes to opacity are meant to improve readability and make the active window easier to identify.

Apple does not recommend installing beta software on a primary Mac. The company says users should expect bugs and app compatibility issues, and MacRumors notes that anyone interested should ideally use a spare machine. Before installing, Apple also recommends making a full backup with Time Machine so you can revert if something goes wrong.

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Supported Macs and how to install

macOS 27 also marks the end of the road for Intel Macs. Apple said last year that macOS Tahoe would be the final release for pre-Apple silicon machines, and this update makes that official.

Compatible Macs include:

  • MacBook Neo (2026)
  • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
  • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
  • iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
  • Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
  • Mac Studio with Apple silicon (2022 and later)
  • Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023 and later)

MacRumors says four models that supported macOS Tahoe are no longer eligible this year: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), iMac (2020), and Mac Pro (2019).

To install the beta, sign up through Apple’s Beta Software Program using your Apple Account.

Then open System Settings on your Mac and go to General ➝ Software Update. Find Beta Updates and click the info (i) button beside it.

Select macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta from the dropdown list.

Click Upgrade Now to start the installation.

After that, the process works like a standard macOS update, and the Mac will reboot directly into the macOS Golden Gate beta.

Tomas Berg

Computing Editor

Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.

via MacRumors

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