How To Install macOS 10.15 Catalina Public Beta

Apple’s macOS 10.15 Catalina update is one that is perhaps of more interest to people than usual Mac updates. In recent years, it’s the iPhone and iPad that have been in receipt of the best new features but 2019 is bringing the Mac back to the fore. That means macOS 10.16 Catalina is in high demand and you can download the public beta now.

Of course, we wouldn’t suggest that you do that unless you have a spare Mac on which to do it. Even installing on different partitions and different drives can potentially cause issues if you’re sharing data, so keep that in mind.

If you do want to take macOS 10.15 Catalina for a spin, you’ll need one of the following Macs in order to do it – MacBook (Early 2016 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer), MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer), Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer), iMac (Late 2012 or newer), iMac Pro (2017), or Mac Pro (Late 2013).

If you do have one of those Macs, here’s how to get macOS 10.15 Catalina installed.

Sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program

You’ll need to be enrolled in Apple’s beta program to get started.

Step 1: Head to Apple’s website and click the Sign Up button.

Step 2: Enter your Apple ID and password and click Sign In.

Step 3: Agree with Apple’s terms and conditions. You can’t progress if you don’t.

Step 4: Click the Enroll Your Devices button at the top of the screen.

Step 5: Scroll down and click Enroll your device.

Download macOS 10.15 Catalina

Now you need to download the files needed to install macOS 10.15 Catalina.

Step 1: Still on the same web page as above, click the profile button beneath the “Download macOS public beta access utility” entry.

Step 2: Once the file has downloaded, run it. Click Continue follows by Agree if you accept the license agreement. Again, you can’t continue if you don’t. Finally, click Install.

Step 3: Once everything is complete, you will see the System Preferences Software Update pane. Click Upgrade Now to download macOS 10.15 Catalina proper.

Install macOS 10.15 Catalina

Once your Mac has restarted, the macOS Catalina installer should begin automatically. If it doesn’t, run it from your Applications folder.

Step 1: Click Continue once the installer is running.

Step 2: Click Continue again once a backup has completed or if you previously did one.

Step 3: Click Agree to accept more terms and conditions. Then click Agree once more to confirm.

Step 4: Select the drive that you want to install macOS 10.15 Catalina on. Make sure it’s the correct one!

Step 5: Click Install to get the ball rolling. You may have to enter your password.

Step 6: Click Restart and wait for your Mac to restart.

Once the restart is complete, you should find yourself running macOS 10.15 Catalina. Good luck, and remember to file those bugs!

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