Apple has released macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 8, with build number 25A5349a, marking what could be the final beta before the release candidate (RC) ahead of the official launch next month. Following several incremental updates, this version continues refining the new macOS experience introduced at WWDC25, while preparing developers and testers for the upcoming public rollout.
What’s New in macOS Tahoe 26
The headline feature of macOS Tahoe 26 is the Liquid Glass UI, a complete visual overhaul that brings translucency, depth, and more fluid animations across system apps. Apple aims to unify design consistency across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS while retaining Mac-specific elements.
Other standout features include:
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Live Activities on Mac: Track timers, deliveries, and events directly on the desktop or in the menu bar.
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Improved Spotlight: Enhanced with clipboard history, shortcut automation, and faster app indexing.
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Dedicated Phone App: Calls and voicemail now integrate natively with iPhone through Continuity.
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Live Translation: Available in Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls, making communication seamless across languages.
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Games App: A hub for Apple Arcade and third-party titles with controller support.
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Journal App: Finally arriving on Mac, syncing entries with iPhone and iPad for cross-device journaling.
Changes in Recent Betas
While earlier betas introduced new Macintosh HD icons, refreshed screensavers, and UI refinements in Safari and Terminal, recent builds have been focused on under-the-hood stability and performance.
Beta 8 continues this trend, polishing animations, refining app stability, and addressing memory management bugs. Developers note subtle tweaks to tab visibility in Safari and Terminal remain from earlier builds, improving productivity for power users.
How to Install macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta
If you are part of Apple’s developer program, you can install macOS Tahoe 26 beta 8 by following these steps:
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Backup your Mac using Time Machine or third-party tools to prevent data loss.
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Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
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Navigate to General → Software Update.
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Click the “i” icon next to Beta Updates.
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From the dropdown menu in the top-right, select macOS Developer Tahoe Beta.
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Press Done and initiate the download.
As always, installing beta software is best done on a secondary device to avoid workflow interruptions.
Why Beta 8 Matters
Beta 8 is widely expected to be the last developer beta before the release candidate (RC). This means Apple is focusing on polishing the final build for public release in September. Developers and testers should closely monitor app compatibility, UI refinements, and system performance to ensure smooth upgrades once the official version drops.
Apple typically seeds the RC build within a week or two after the final developer beta, which suggests macOS Tahoe 26 is nearing completion.
Looking Ahead: The Official Release
Apple confirmed at WWDC25 that macOS Tahoe 26 will officially launch in September 2025, alongside iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. The update will be free for all supported Macs and is expected to roll out globally.
Users can expect additional refinements in the release candidate, particularly around Live Activities, Spotlight, and Liquid Glass UI performance.
Conclusion
macOS Tahoe 26 beta 8 is a milestone release, signaling that Apple’s next-generation Mac operating system is nearly ready for public rollout. With its Liquid Glass design, Live Activities, upgraded Spotlight, dedicated Phone app, and new Journal and Games apps, this update positions the Mac as both more productive and more seamlessly integrated with Apple’s broader ecosystem.
For developers, now is the time to finalize app compatibility. For everyday users, the full release of macOS Tahoe 26 is just around the corner.
