MacOS Sonoma Beta 2 Available to Download Now
The second beta version of MacOS Sonoma has been released to users enrolled in the developer beta testing program for Apple system software.
MacOS Sonoma, versioned as macOS 14, includes a variety of new features for Mac, like new screen savers, a new Lock Screen, the reintroduction of widgets to the Mac, new Messages features, Safari Profiles support which allows for unique profiles for things like work and school, FaceTime video messages support, and many other various changes and improvements.
Technically, any user can enroll their Apple ID to participate in the Apple Developer program which gives them access to be able to install MacOS Sonoma beta on a Mac, but this should be limited to advanced users, and for secondary hardware. A public beta will be released next month.
How to Download MacOS Sonoma Beta 2
Assuming the Mac is actively enrolled in the MacOS Sonoma developer beta testing program, you can get the latest update from:
- Go to the Apple menu and choose “System Settings”
- Go to “General” and then to “Software Update”
- Choose to download and install the MacOS Sonoma 14 beta 2 update when you see it available
Direct Download Link for MacOS Sonoma Beta 2 Installer
Interested users can download the full installer for MacOS Sonoma beta 2 directly from Apple, as the InstallAssistant.pkg, which will extract the “Install MacOS Sonoma beta.app” into /Applications/
MacOS Sonoma Beta 2 IPSW Restore File
You can also download an Apple Silicon M1/M2 IPSW file for MacOS Sonoma beta 2, which can be used to restore other Macs, or to setup virtual machines easily.
Anecdotally, the first beta of MacOS Sonoma beta is surprisingly stable and performs well in a fresh install, and while a fair number of third party apps crash regularly, the beta Sonoma operating system itself feels about as stable as any Ventura release (a MacOS version I do not hold in high regard). IT remains to be seen how stable MacOS Sonoma beta 2 is.
As the name implies, the developer beta is intended for developers and advanced users, but since anyone can enroll their Apple ID in the Apple Developer program, that means anyone can install MacOS Sonoma beta right now. Because of the buggy nature of beta system software, this is really only appropriate for advanced users and for secondary hardware. The more casually curious should wait for the public beta, or the final release later in the year.
The final release of MacOS Sonoma will be available for all Mac users as a free software update this fall.
