You may obtain the visionOS 26 developer beta without spending a dime — proper now. You may get a take a look at the thrilling new spatial widgets coming to the Imaginative and prescient Professional earlier than the replace is shipped to everybody. Not like different platforms, there isn’t any public beta choice, solely the developer beta.
In fact, there are some things it is best to look out for. Beta software program may be buggy and might result in knowledge loss or apps that don’t work.
When you’re nonetheless certain you need to attempt it out, it is best to ensure you have a backup of your most essential knowledge with two copies of your photograph library earlier than you attempt putting in. I’ll present you the way.
Learn how to obtain the visionOS 26 developer beta
Desk of contents: Learn how to obtain the visionOS 26 developer beta
- Examine that you’ve got an iCloud backup
- Examine that your photograph library is backed up
- Swap to permit beta software program updates
- Set up the replace
1. Examine that you’ve got an iCloud backup
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Earlier than you obtain the visionOS beta, it is best to guarantee that your Imaginative and prescient Professional is backed up. When you lose essential knowledge, if the software program replace is unsuccessful or if you wish to roll again to the steady model of visionOS after attempting out the beta, this backup will save your pores and skin.
Double verify in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Proper beneath the button that claims “Backup Now,” it is best to see small textual content that claims, “Final profitable backup”. When you’ve got it arrange correctly, it’ll most likely say it final backed up in a single day.
If not, it’s worthwhile to make a backup. To take action, faucet Again Up Now.
2. Examine that your photograph library is backed up
Subsequent, open Photographs > Library. Scroll all the way in which down beneath the latest photograph to see in case your photographs are backed up. If it says “Synced with iCloud,” you’re golden. In any other case, faucet Sync Now to ensure you don’t lose something.
When you’ve got a Mac with sufficient storage (or with an exterior drive) it is best to have one other copy of your photograph library, too. Backing as much as iCloud will assist if one thing occurs to your Imaginative and prescient Professional, but when a bug corrupts your photograph library and people modifications are synced to iCloud, a separate copy will ensure you have a secure copy.
In your Mac, click on on the Finder and open the Dwelling folder along with your identify (⇧⌘H). Open Photos. You need to see a file referred to as Photograph Library. Make an area copy by clicking File > Duplicate (⌘D), or copy it to an exterior drive by clicking and dragging it over. Then, rename it one thing descriptive, like Photograph Library (Backup).
3. Swap to permit beta software program updates
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace. After it checks for updates, you’ll see the choice seem for Beta Updates. Faucet that and also you’ll see the choices at present accessible: Off, visionOS 26 Developer Beta and visionOS 2 Developer Beta. There isn’t a visionOS public beta, so if you wish to be cautious, it is best to wait a day or two after a software program replace is launched earlier than putting in.
Faucet visionOS 26 Developer Beta to get the flashy new replace with all the best options like Spatial Photographs, new Dwelling and Management Heart gestures, a customizable Dwelling View and extra.
4. Obtain the visionOS beta replace
Faucet again and also you’ll see the visionOS 26 replace accessible. Faucet Replace Now to obtain the visionOS beta and Set up Now when it’s prepared. It could take longer than a traditional software program replace.
On the finish, you’ll reboot into the shiny new beta working system! You may count on to get a brand new software program replace about each few weeks till September.
We initially printed this text on obtain the visionOS beta on June 11, 2024. We up to date it with the most recent data on June 10, 2025.
