Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.3 Beta 2 to developers on January 12, continuing a quiet update cycle that began in mid-December. The second beta arrives four weeks after the initial December 15 release, following a roughly monthly schedule for point updates.
Registered developers can access build 25D5101c through System Settings under General and Software Update. This replaces the previous 25D5087f version from the first beta. The update requires enabled beta updates and a free developer account.
Early testing reveals no major new features in macOS Tahoe 26.3 Beta 2. Multiple sources confirm this appears to be a refinement-focused update typical of mid-cycle betas, with Apple concentrating on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than headline additions.
The macOS update arrives alongside second betas for iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3. Apple has issued background security updates for these builds outside the usual update flow since the first beta, though it remains unclear if this practice will continue. Apple has been testing background security updates as part of this new approach.
iOS 26.3 beta introduced two significant changes absent from the macOS update. The mobile operating system gained a new "Transfer to Android" option in Settings and notification forwarding support for third-party wearables, both features mandated by European Union regulations.
Apple typically releases public beta versions shortly after developer builds, with a more stable version arriving for general users. Some reports suggest macOS Tahoe 26.3 could reach public availability by late January based on past release patterns.
The company strongly advises against installing beta software on primary or mission-critical hardware due to persistent data loss risks. Developers should use secondary devices and maintain current backups when testing these early builds.
This update cycle appears consistent with Apple's recent approach of focusing spring updates on refinement and regulatory compliance while introducing major features in annual fall releases. The approach allows developers to test stability improvements without significant code changes between major versions.
