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🎥 macOS Tahoe 26 Beta 2 is Out! - What's New?

👤 Channel: zollotech
⏱️ Duration: 9:01
🔗 Watch on YouTube

📚 Video Chapters (13 chapters):

• Everything New - 0:00
• Size and Apple Releases - 0:13
• Build Number - 0:31
• New Features, Updates and Changes - 1:02
• Menu Bar - 3:13
• More Changes - 3:36
• Bugs and Bug Fixes - 4:22
• Performance - 5:33
• Battery Life - 6:18
• Should You Install macOS 26 Tahoe Beta 2? - 6:49
• macOS 26 Tahoe Beta 3 Release - 7:28
• macOS 15.6 Beta 2 Release - 7:58
• Conclusion - 8:17

Overview

This video provides a detailed overview and first impressions of macOS 26 Tahoe
Beta 2, highlighting its new features, design changes, performance improvements,
bug fixes, and known issues. It also offers advice on whether or not to install
the beta and discusses the expected timeline for future beta and public
releases.

Main Topics Covered

• Introduction and release details of macOS 26 Tahoe Beta 2
• Update size, build number, and compatibility
• Visual and UI changes throughout the system
• New and revised app icons
• Menu bar customization
• Bug fixes and known issues
• Performance and battery life observations
• Recommendations on installing the beta
• Expected release schedules for future betas and public versions

Key Takeaways & Insights

• macOS 26 Tahoe Beta 2 is a significant update with visual refinements, smoother animations, and improved performance over Beta 1.
• Many UI elements, such as menus, icons, and app interfaces, have been redesigned or tweaked for a more modern and cohesive look.
• The update brings improved fluidity, fewer crashes, and better responsiveness, but as an early beta, it may still contain unresolved bugs.
• Apple continues to address known issues and add new features, as detailed in the extensive release notes.
• Battery life is decent for an early beta, with good standby performance, but results may vary.
• Caution is advised when installing the beta on production machines, and the public beta is recommended for most users.

Actionable Strategies

• Check Release Notes: Before reporting any bugs, consult the release notes to verify if the issue is known or already resolved.
• Use Feedback Assistant: Report new bugs or issues directly through the Feedback Assistant app to help Apple improve future releases.
• Menu Bar Customization: Experiment with the new menu bar background border option in system settings for personalization.
• Wait for Public Beta: Unless you have a non-essential or spare Mac, wait for the public beta for a more stable experience.
• Sign Up for Public Beta: Register at beta.apple.com to participate in upcoming public beta releases.

Specific Details & Examples

• Update Size: The update is 4.13 GB on the M4 MacBook Air.
• Build Number: 25A5295e.
• UI Changes: More rounded menus and pop-out menus, reduced liquid glass effect, updated translucency in apps like Music, and a new Finder icon (light part of the face on the right).
• App Icon Updates: New or revised icons for Finder, Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Migration Assistant, and system tools like the color picker.
• Menu Bar: Optional border/background can be enabled or disabled in settings.
• Mail App: More fluid swipe animations for managing emails.
• Folders: Slightly updated gradients and appearance.
• Performance: Noticeably smoother animations, dock magnification works reliably, and no crashes reported after a day of use.
• Battery Life: Standby drain is about 10% over a week; general performance is good for a beta.
• Bug Fixes: Vision Pro Mac virtual display works well; Finder and Catalyst issues resolved; many updates and bug fixes listed in public-facing release notes.
• Release Timeline: Beta 3 expected around July 7th; public beta likely soon after if no major issues arise; macOS 15.6 Beta 2 is expected around June 30th.

Warnings & Common Mistakes

• Do Not Install on Production Machines: Early betas can be unstable and are not recommended for devices used for critical work.
• Beta Bugs: Expect some remaining bugs and incomplete features; always check if an issue is known before reporting.
• Battery Life May Vary: As with most betas, battery performance may not be indicative of the final release.

Resources & Next Steps

• Apple Beta Program: beta.apple.com – sign up for the public beta program.
• Feedback Assistant: Use this built-in app to report bugs and issues.
• Release Notes: Access via Safari or Apple’s developer documentation to review fixes and known issues.
• Wallpaper Link: Video description provides a link to download the featured wallpaper.
• Subscribe for Updates: Follow the channel for future updates and deeper dives into new features as they are released.