Apple briefly pushed out a macOS Tahoe public beta by mistake, leaving some testers surprised. Users expecting the macOS Sequoia 15.6 Release Candidate instead received macOS Tahoe 26, which isn’t scheduled for release until later this year.
The error was first noticed on Apple’s beta distribution servers on Monday. Reports confirmed that the errant update, build number 25A5316i, was available for download at 1:03 p.m. Eastern. While it never appeared for developer testers, at least one user confirmed receiving the update.
Who Got the Update?
According to posts on social media, the update appeared on systems running public betas without Rosetta 2 installed. One user, who had previously downgraded from macOS Tahoe, expressed shock after their Mac updated to a completely different operating system.
The build number suggests this was likely the upcoming developer beta 4 or public beta 1, expected to roll out later this week. Apple has since removed the incorrect update from its servers.
What Should Users Do Now?
Only a small number of testers appear to have downloaded the build. Those who did will need to either stick with macOS Tahoe or manually downgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.6. Apple has not provided an official statement about the mix-up, but it serves as a reminder of the risks tied to beta testing.
macOS Tahoe’s accidental early release further hints that public betas for OS 26 will launch soon—likely by July 25. Until then, Apple enthusiasts can expect the official rollout to happen as planned.
