Beta 3 of iOS 14.6, MacOS 11.4 Big Sur, iPadOS 14.6 Released for Testing

Apple has released the third beta versions of iOS 14.6, ipadOS 14.6, macOS Big Sur 11.4, tvOS 14.6, and watchOS 7.5 to users enrolled in the various beta testing programs for Apple system software.

No major new features are expected in the upcoming new point releases, suggesting the betas are working on refining the operating systems, bug fixes, and other enhancements.

Mac users enrolled the beta testing program can find macOS 11.4 Big Sur beta 3 available to download now from the Software Update section of System Preferences. The latest MacOS 11.4 beta build is 20F5065a.

iPhone and iPad users in the beta testing programs can find iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 through the Settings app Software Update mechanism.

watchOS and tvOS beta testers can find those new beta updates available through their respective Settings apps as well.

Technically any user can enroll in public beta testing programs for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, but due to the buggy nature of beta system software it is not recommended outside of advanced users. Typically beta software is ran by developers and those who need to test features and other functionality in upcoming operating systems.

Apple usually goes through several beta builds before issuing a final version to the public, suggesting that macOS 11.4, iOS 14.6, ipadOS 14.6, and tvOS 14.6 are a ways from a final release.

The most recent stable versions of system software currently available are iOS 14.5.1, iPadOS 14.5.1, and macOS 11.3.1.

Update: an earlier version of this article had a title with the incorrect beta version for iOS and iPadOS, this has been fixed.