As is typically the case as the beta season approaches its conclusion, Apple is transitioning to a weekly schedule for beta releases. Following Monday’s launch of a new batch of developer betas, the third series of public betas is now being distributed, which includes macOS 26 Tahoe beta 3. Here’s how you can install it.
## First things first: *should* you install the beta?
You are likely familiar with the process: Betas can be inconsistently buggy. Just because something functions properly in one release does not ensure it will in the next.
Naturally, your experience may differ. However, if you choose to proceed with installing the beta, highly consider [Apple’s recommendation](https://beta.apple.com/faq) to “install it on a secondary system or device, or on a secondary partition on your Mac.” Alternatively, ensure that you back up your Mac prior to proceeding.
## How to install macOS Tahoe 26 public beta 3
To get started, the initial step is to sign up for Apple’s public beta program at [https://beta.apple.com/](https://beta.apple.com/). After that, follow these steps:
– Access System Settings
– Navigate to General ⇾ Software Update
– Select the ‘i’ icon adjacent to Beta Updates
– In the dropdown menu located in the top-right, select the macOS Tahoe 26 Public Beta
– Click ‘Done’
## What to expect from macOS Tahoe 26 public beta 3
If past experiences are any guide, today’s public beta mirrors yesterday’s developer beta 6. This means you’ll encounter several new system icons, including the updated Macintosh HD, which has replaced the illustration of a traditional spinning hard drive with a more contemporary SSD.
In addition to that, Apple appears to have utilized this release to implement internal enhancements and bug resolutions, rather than introducing more visible user changes, similar to what occurred in iOS 26 developer beta 5.
macOS Tahoe 26 introduces the fresh Liquid Glass aesthetic, desktop widgets, a more customizable control center, iPhone Live Activities on the menu bar facilitated by Continuity, a new and enhanced Spotlight, and much more.
For a summary of 9to5Mac’s public beta overviews, take a look at these articles:
Are you participating in the public beta? How has your experience been? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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