Apple issues first developer beta of macOS Monterey 12.1

Following the release of macOS Monterey on Monday, Apple has commenced a new beta round, with macOS 12.1's first build testable by developers.

The latest builds can be downloaded by developers in the beta-testing scheme via the Apple Developer Center, or as an over-the-air update for hardware already using earlier beta builds. A public beta version of the releases is expected to start arriving soon, and will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program website.

Version 12.1's first beta arrives after the release of macOS Monterey on October 25. That release arrived after a lengthy beta-testing process of 12 rounds, including two Release Candidates.

As it is a fresh beta cycle, there is little information about the contents of the beta itself. Details about new features and interface changes usually surface a short time after the betas are issued.

Both AppleInsider and Apple itself strongly recommend users don't install the betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, as there is the remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Instead, testers should install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to 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.