If you have one of the new Macs, then you might have tried to install the macOS beta on it. And with the macOS Sequoia beta available for download, you might be well on your way to doing it for the first time. While beta operating systems can be rewarding for impatient enthusiasts, they typically pack plenty of bugs and glitches that can make your Apple computer unreliable.

MacBook Pro M2 Max halfway open
Should I install the macOS beta version on my Mac?

Are new macOS features worth the potential instability?

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Fortunately, you can easily switch from the macOS beta channel to the stable one for a more polished experience. Now that the stable macOS Sequoia build is set for a Sept. 16 release, it's a good time to switch back to receiving the usual macOS releases. All you have to do is follow the detailed steps we've listed below.

Switching from macOS beta to a stable OS build

If your computer runs macOS Ventura 13.4 or later, follow these instructions:

  1. Open the Apple Menu, then launch the System Settings app.
    The launchpad with the system settings app on macOS Sequoia.
  2. Select General, then Software Update.
    The software update tab in System Settings.
  3. Click on the Info (i) button next to Beta updates.
    The info button next to beta updates.
  4. Click the current option next to Beta updates to reveal a dropdown menu.
    Click the current option next to Beta updates to reveal a dropdown menu.
  5. Choose Off from the list of available options.
    The Off button next to beta updates.
  6. Tap on Done to back out of the menu.

If your computer runs macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier, the steps to unsubscribe will differ after you launch the Software Update window:

  1. Click the Details button next to This Mac is enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program.
  2. A new window will pop up. Select Restore Defaults.

This process will only un-enroll your Mac from the beta program; once completed, you will receive stable macOS updates going forward. Of course, if you change your mind, you can always enroll again.

Installing a stable version of macOS

The reinstall macOS option in macOS recovery.

Now that your Mac will only alert servers that you're interested in stable operating system releases exclusively, all you have to do is wait patiently for the next OS update. You can usually do that from the same Software Update menu you used to unsubscribe from beta releases.

However, if you need a stable operating system ASAP, you can roll back to the last non-beta release version. This is an involved process though, and you can't (or at least shouldn't) begin until you turn off "Find My Mac" and back up all of your data. We've included the steps below, in case you need to do this.

To begin, turn off "Find My Mac" using these steps:

  1. Open the Apple Menu, then visit System Settings.
  2. Click on Apple ID.
  3. Select iCloud, then Find My Mac. You might need to click on Show More Apps to find it.
    macos sonoma system settings icloud apps using icloud
    Source: Apple
  4. Switch Find My to OFF.
  5. Use the back button to return to Apple ID, then click on Sign Out.

Once that's done, back up your Mac using Time Machine functionality:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Select the General tab, then select Time Machine.
  3. Click on Add Backup Disk.
  4. Select a disk from the list that pops up on the screen, then follow the onscreen instructions. You might want to plug an external hard drive into your Mac and use that as your backup.
  5. Click Back up now, and let the process complete.

With all of your data secured, you are finally ready to roll back your Mac. Follow these steps if your Mac uses an Intel chip:

  1. Activate Internet Recovery by holding either Option + Command + R or Option + Shift + Command + R.
  2. Open Disk Utility, then select Macintosh HD (or whatever you've named your hard drive).
  3. Select Erase Volume Group, then exit Disk Utility.
    MacOS erase volume group
    Source: Apple
  4. Click on Reinstall macOS and follow the instructions.
  5. Restart your computer after the process is finished.
  6. Use Time Machine to restore your personal data.
    MacOS time machine restore
    Source: Apple

If your computer runs on Apple silicon, instead follow the restore process that you would normally use for a bricked Mac (you can find those instructions here). Then, similarly, use the Time Machine to restore your personal data. Regardless of the exact method you used, you should have a working computer with all of your important documents and photos, now running on a stable copy of macOS.

Why would you want to opt out of beta updates?

It is definitely understandable if you want to switch back to the stable channel, especially when it comes to the Mac experience. macOS beta builds can be more problematic than iOS ones. Additionally, many people depend on their machines for work or study, so they should expect apps and the system, in general, to work as expected and without any major hiccups. They can't risk having their workflows broken by an unsupported app that has decided to give up on the new version.

Ultimately, you know the bundled risks and can assess your personal case accordingly. If you do want to stick with the macOS beta, you can re-enroll following the steps below. Or, you can install the macOS Sequoia beta in a virtual machine to get the latest features without the risks.

M3 Max Macbook pro in space black placed on a table
How to install the macOS Sequoia developer beta on your Mac

You're just a few steps away from an upgraded Mac experience

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