Apple launches first public beta of macOS High Sierra

After a false start earlier this week, Apple on Thursday issued the first public beta of macOS High Sierra, available to anyone registered with the company's Beta Software Program.

People interested in testing out the preview can sign up at beta.apple.com. Apple is recommending that users install the software only on a secondary Mac, and make a backup of that device beforehand.

The new code is listed as build 17A291m, marking a slight revision from the second developer beta, which was build 17A291j. Indeed Apple has reissued the latter using the new build — it's not yet clear what adjustments have been made.

High Sierra is due to launch as a free update this fall. The software will support standards like Metal 2 and H.265/HEVC video, and transition to the Apple File System, already in use on iOS 10.3.x devices. Apple is also planning miscellaneous upgrades to apps like Photos, Mail, and Safari.

By spring 2018, the OS will officially support external Thunderbolt 3 GPUs, enabling high-level graphics normally reserved for gaming PCs and workstations.

54 Comments

macxpress 5913 comments · 16 Years

About 7 years ago

I just put this on my work Mac and it just totally messed up everything!!!! Apple can't do anything right! How do I go back to Sierra?

/s

BuffyzDead 358 comments · 17 Years

Here goes nothing !!!

Jumping in, head first, on my every day iMac 2012.

JinTech 1061 comments · 9 Years

BuffyzDead said:

Here goes nothing !!!

Jumping in, head first, on my every day iMac 2012.

Daring. Just make sure you report any bugs you find to Apple.

Ofer 270 comments · 8 Years

macxpress said:

I just put this on my work Mac and it just totally messed up everything!!!! Apple can't do anything right! How do I go back to Sierra?

/s

This is a beta. Saying Apple can't do anything right because a beta messed up your system is ridiculous. You have no one to blame but yourself here.

if this was the final version that would be different; but you should know the risks going in with beta software.

Mike Wuerthele 6906 comments · 8 Years

Ofer said:

macxpress said:

I just put this on my work Mac and it just totally messed up everything!!!! Apple can't do anything right! How do I go back to Sierra?

/s

This is a beta. Saying Apple can't do anything right because a beta messed up your system is ridiculous. You have no one to blame but yourself here.

if this was the final version that would be different; but you should know the risks going in with beta software.

Note the "/s"