Mike Wuerthele
Following the release of the fourth betas of iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5, Apple has followed through with fourth betas for macOS 10.15.5, watchOS 6.2.5, and tvOS 13.4.5.
The newest builds can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center for those enrolled into the test program, or via an over-the-air update on devices running the beta software. Public betas typically arrive within a few days of the developer versions, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.
Apple provided the third round of betas for macOS 10.15.5 watchOS 6.2.5, tvOS #13.4.5 on April 29, and included a renumbering of the current beta versions of iOS and iPadOS to version 13.5 at the same time. The second round, which used version 13.4.5 for both iOS and iPadOS, arrived April 15. The first round for iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS landed March 31, with watchOS 6.2.5's build appearing on April 1.
Release notes for the builds have yet to offer real information about new features arriving in the new versions, except for the first software hooks required for the Exposure Notification API, intended to be used by in-development COVID-19 contact tracing apps on iOS. The hooks specifically do not do anything on their own and require an app to function properly, and it does not appear that they exist in non-iOS products.
The release notes still make no mention of the battery management feature added to macOS. The feature remains rudimentary, and doesn't provide the user with as much information as a third-party utility can, but it is a move in the right direction.
Given the proximity to WWDC 2020, it is likely that there won't be any major introductions outside of coronavirus-related functionality in these releases, effectively making them maintenance releases.
Both AppleInsider and Apple itself strongly advise users don't install the betas on primary devices or hardware they deem as "mission-critical" at all, as there is the highly remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Testers should instead install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices as a safer alternative, and to always make sure there are sufficient backups of important data before updating.
Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.
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Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
7 Comments
Yes patiently waiting on this update for macOS. Last one was a disaster for my iMac.
I'm still waiting for several minor things to be fixed. You'd think this many months later they'd have addressed things but Catalina still seems to lack maturity. For example, 1. the Notification Centre calculator defaults to 0 every time you open it, wiping out the number you had in there, and 2. the View Options in Finder for Macintosh HD do not keep after a reboot, even if you choose "always open in this view" - the view setting is always reset. And iOS syncing is just terrible!