macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 3
macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 3 was released May 8, 2025 with expanded Apple Intelligence features, new APIs for developers, and fixes for previous beta issues.
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⚠️ Beta Software Warning
This is pre-release software intended for testing purposes. Beta software may contain bugs and should not be installed on primary or mission-critical devices. Always back up your data before installing beta software.
Beta Release Timeline
macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 3 (Current)
Released May 8, 2025
Build: 23F5075a
Beta Release Notes
New Features in macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 3
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Apple Intelligence Updates
Expanded image generation capabilities with better handling of complex scenes and more natural output.
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New Developer APIs
Additional frameworks for augmented reality integration and ML model optimization.
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Photos App Enhancements
New Smart Albums feature with improved auto-categorization and better search capabilities.
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Accessibility Improvements
Enhanced voice control capabilities and new customization options for screen reader functionality.
Known Issues in Beta 3
- Some third-party apps may experience graphical artifacts when using Stage Manager
- Mail app may occasionally freeze when viewing certain email attachments
- Calendar sync might be intermittent with some third-party services
- Safari may experience performance issues on websites with complex JavaScript
- External GPU support may be inconsistent in certain applications
Fixed From Previous Betas
- Resolved kernel panics when connecting certain USB-C devices that were present in Beta 2
- Fixed issues with system freezes during sleep/wake cycles
- Addressed Bluetooth audio dropout problems with some headphone models
- Fixed spotlight search indexing issues that could cause high CPU usage
- Resolved abnormal battery drain on MacBook models
Compatibility
macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 3 is compatible with these Mac models:
MacBook Pro
- 2018 and later models
MacBook Air
- 2018 and later models
iMac
- 2019 and later models
iMac Pro
- 2017 and later models
Mac Mini
- 2018 and later models
Mac Pro
- 2019 and later models
Mac Studio
- 2022 and later models
Not sure if your Mac is compatible? Use our Compatibility Checker to find out.
Beta Troubleshooting
If you need to revert from the beta to a stable release, follow these steps:
- Make a complete Time Machine backup of your Mac
- Boot into Recovery Mode (restart and hold Command+R)
- Select "Restore from Time Machine Backup" (if you have a backup from a stable release)
- Alternatively, perform a clean install of the current public release
- Restore your data from backup after installation
Note: Rolling back usually requires a complete system restore.
Beta software often has unoptimized processes that can impact battery life:
- Check battery usage in System Settings > Battery
- Look for processes with high CPU usage in Activity Monitor
- Disable background app refresh for non-essential apps
- Report significant battery issues through the Feedback Assistant app
Some apps may not work correctly with the beta:
- Check with app developers for beta compatibility information
- Look for beta-specific versions of critical apps
- Report app issues both to Apple (via Feedback Assistant) and the app developer
- Consider using alternative apps for critical functions until the stable release
Finding and reporting bugs is an essential part of the beta program:
- Use the Feedback Assistant app (pre-installed on beta versions)
- Provide detailed information about the bug, including reproduction steps
- Include screenshots or recordings if possible
- Attach relevant system logs when prompted
- Check if your issue has already been reported by searching the database
Bug reports help Apple improve the software before the final release.
Related Resources
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Install the beta on a separate partition or drive for testing without risking your main system.
Read Guide
Create a Bootable macOS Beta USB Installer
Create a bootable USB drive with the beta for clean installations or recovery.
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