Apple Seeds First Public Beta of macOS 14.5

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. The public beta comes a day after Apple released the developer beta.

Beta testers can opt-in through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, simply toggle on the Sonoma Public Beta. Note that you must sign up to participate on Apple's beta testing website.

There were no new features found in the macOS Sonoma 14.5 developer beta, and Apple listed no additions in its release notes. It is likely that the update focuses on bug fixes and other small under-the-hood improvements.

Article Link: Apple Seeds First Public Beta of macOS 14.5

 

[vegetassj4]

And the name of the lead programmer that initiated the seed is Johnny

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

 

[Realityck]

It's been running ok the last two days.
Not much on SDK notes as this is a continuation of optimizing/fixing issues.

Comparison of 14.5 beta to previous releases

macOS 14.5 beta (23F5049f)

• Safari Version 17.5 (19618.2.4.11.2)
• System Firmware Version: 10151.120.115.0.4 (M1 based Macs)
• Darwin Kernel Version 23.5.0: Tue Mar 26 20:56:58 PDT 2024; root:xnu-10063.120.88.501.3~2/RELEASE_ARM64_T8103 arm64

macOS 14.4.1 (23E224)

• Safari Version 17.4.1 (19618.1.15.11.14)
• System Firmware Version: 10151.101.3 (M1 based Macs)
• Darwin Kernel Version 23.4.0: Fri Mar 15 00:12:41 PDT 2024; root:xnu-10063.101.17~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T8103 arm64

macOS 14.4 (23E214)

• Safari Version 17.4 (19618.1.15.11.12)
• System Firmware Version: 10151.101.3 (M1 based Macs)
• Darwin Kernel Version 23.4.0: Wed Feb 21 21:44:06 PST 2024; root:xnu-10063.101.15~2/RELEASE_ARM64_T8103 arm64

Apple Music/TV is now 1.4.5.25 from 1.4.4.48

 

[Mac mini power user]

I'm running the developer beta, and it seems to be running smoother on my M1 Pro MBP than the stable releases of either 14.4 or 14.4.1. Safari in particular is snappier, and struggles less with YouTube videos (yes, for once the meme is true).

 

[PsykX]

At this point, 14.4 seemed like a real disaster for many people.
For those who have it, is it better to beta test 14.5 already, or to wait until it's released to public, or to just never install it?

When I joined the Mac community back in 2006, I used to never ever have these questions floating in my head.
I would buy (yes, buy) and install whatever new OS Apple would release and it would basically just work.

 

[Devnul0]

Be nice if they fixed the numerous keyboard focus bugs with Terminal and Messages when using multiple spaces, bugs I reported quite some time ago. With a full-screen terminal, open a new one and the focus is still on the old one. With Messages, cmd-tab to it (normal window on normal desktop) and current conversation does not have the focus, have to click in the typing area.

 

[Mac mini power user]

14.5 is very solid, so I would install the Developer of Public Beta, and then switch back to the release version once 14.5 is out. This will probably be the last major version of Sonoma anyways, so switching already makes sense.

 

[lord jaxom]

I'm hoping it fixes the issue I've had since 14.3 where if I switch my monitor input to my other computer it loses the video connection and I have the restart to get it back. Its been very annoying....

 

[star-affinity]

At this point, 14.4 seemed like a real disaster for many people.
For those who have it, is it better to beta test 14.5 already, or to wait until it's released to public, or to just never install it?

When I joined the Mac community back in 2006, I used to never ever have these questions floating in my head.
I would buy (yes, buy) and install whatever new OS Apple would release and it would basically just work.

The 14.4.1 update seems to have fixed that. At least I no longer have trouble with the USB hub in my USB-C capable display at work.

 

[bcomer]

Maybe they could get off of their asses and fix the 2019+ Mac Pro issue mounting SSD/PCI cards.

 

[Luposian]

Maybe they could get off of their asses and fix the 2019+ Mac Pro issue mounting SSD/PCI cards.

You know that's not gonna happen. The Intel Macs are now classified as obsolete (technically speaking, since they're no longer being made/sold), so there is little reason to support them beyond the bare minimum until the absolute cutoff point. Be grateful for whatever support you get at this point, til the bitter end. That day is also coming for my M1 Mac Mini and when I see it, I'm jumping ship ASAP. I'm hoping for an M3 Mac Mini when that day comes, but we'll have to see... I barely use my M1 Mac Mini as it is. Still use my Asus Zephyrus G laptop (Ryzen 7 w/ GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) on a daily basis (right now, in fact). I love the fact Apple is finally off the Intel wagon and making their own hardware again, but that doesn't mean I'll use it as much as Windows 11. I think something definitely, permanently changed in my thinking over the 15 years of Intelness. I just no longer feel as attached to Apple/Mac as I once did. The fact they're merging the iOS/macOS lines to being virtually indistinguishable... really not happy about that, but... as I've said before and will always say...

"Apple will do, what Apple will do."

 

[bcomer]

I do not think it is as dark as you say - they still need to fix this issue. Screwing over your customers is not good for business.

 

[Luposian]

I do not think it is as dark as you say - they still need to fix this issue. Screwing over your customers is not good for business.

And you really think Apple cares? We are nothing but dollar signs to them. Mere numbers on an accounting sheet. If we like what they give us, all the better for them, but as long as what they do does not have a significant impact on their bottom line (vote with your wallet)... why should they worry if we complain a little about this or that?

 

[benmuetsch]

Luposian, just for your information, it happens on the M2 Mac Pro aswell, so they really should care about it.
It even happens with many external devices on Macbooks and Mac Minis, so it's not an Intel Mac problem rather than a macOS Sonoma problem.

 

[Luposian]

Luposian, just for your information, it happens on the M2 Mac Pro aswell, so they really should care about it.
It even happens with many external devices on Macbooks and Mac Minis, so it's not an Intel Mac problem rather than a macOS Sonoma problem.

Then this situation is a macOS issue, not an Intel one. And, when enough people complain, or enough people stop buying their products, maybe Apple will actually address this issue. But until there is enough backlash over a bug/issue, Apple has generally proven themselves to be resistant to fixing things that only affect a few people or a select number of devices... especially if they're 3rd party devices. Apple may be saying, "Not our device... not our problem." Or, in another way of saying it... "Not our circus, not our monkeys". 😁

 

[fhall1]

14.5 is very solid, so I would install the Developer of Public Beta, and then switch back to the release version once 14.5 is out. This will probably be the last major version of Sonoma anyways, so switching already makes sense.

I would bet money that 14.5 will not be the last major version of Sonoma.

 

[Harry Haller]

I do not think it is as dark as you say - they still need to fix this issue. Screwing over your customers is not good for business.

Not if customers keeping buying your gizmos while you’re screwing them.
6 years of melting GPUs on the trash can.
5 years of defective MPB butterfly keyboards.
Endless years of defective Bluetooth on Minis.
Ages of expanding batteries on iPhones and MPBs.

 

[wellander1]

I would bet money that 14.5 will not be the last major version of Sonoma.

14.6 should start security updates mode.

 

[fhall1]

14.6 should start security updates mode.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get 14.7 before the security-updates-only start.

 

[Chimuk]

When updating the system my external monitor stopped working and it is not recognised, I tried counting to another monitor and the same to someone else happened and if you have any solution please

 

[stockcerts]

I'm unable to install 14.5. After the download it goes to preparing, and a few minutes later I get a fail message. I've tried probably 10 times. I have a 2019 MacBook Pro. Any suggestions?

 

[Realityck]

I'm unable to install 14.5. After the download it goes to preparing, and a few minutes later I get a fail message. I've tried probably 10 times. I have a 2019 MacBook Pro. Any suggestions?

You can always try the beta 2 that should arrive either in a few minutes today, or same time tomorrow this week.

Usually the first thing I check before all this is to boot in recovery mode and run disk utility to fix/repair your boot volumes just in case of some issues you are unaware of in normal usage.

You can always boot up in safe mode then run the updater if you still have issues.

If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

The message might say that an error occurred while downloading, preparing, or installing, or that the installer is damaged or could not be verified.

support.apple.com