Apple has released the third beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5 to registered developers, bringing expanded Apple Intelligence features, new developer APIs, and fixes for issues that were present in previous beta versions.
The beta, carrying build number 23F5075a, is available to members of the Apple Developer Program through the Apple Developer website or via the Software Update mechanism on Macs already running the beta.
Apple Intelligence Enhancements
The most significant addition in this beta update is the expansion of Apple Intelligence capabilities, with a particular focus on image generation features. According to developers who have installed the beta, the system now demonstrates:
- Improved handling of complex scenes in image generation
- More natural-looking AI-generated content with better composition
- Enhanced integration with existing Photos library for style matching
- Faster processing times for generative requests
These improvements suggest Apple is continuing to refine its on-device AI capabilities ahead of a more comprehensive rollout expected at WWDC 2025 next month.
How to Install macOS 14.5 Beta 3
- Enroll in the Apple Developer Program ($99/year)
- Go to developer.apple.com and download the macOS beta access utility
- Run the utility and follow the on-screen instructions
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update
- The beta should appear as an available update
For more detailed instructions, see our macOS 14.5 Beta 3 page.
New Developer APIs
The beta introduces several new APIs for developers, focusing on:
- Augmented reality integration: New frameworks for creating AR experiences with improved object recognition and scene understanding
- ML model optimization: Tools for better performance of on-device machine learning models with lower power consumption
- Enhanced sharing capabilities: New APIs for cross-app content sharing with improved security controls
These new APIs are particularly interesting as they may provide hints about features that could be introduced in macOS 15, which is expected to be announced at WWDC 2025 in June.
Photos App Enhancements
The Photos app receives significant attention in this beta with several new features:
- Smart Albums: Automated collection creation based on content, people, locations, and timestamps
- Improved search: Enhanced search capabilities with natural language processing
- Expanded editing tools: New adjustment options and filters for photo editing
The new Smart Albums feature in Photos offers improved organization capabilities
The Photos app improvements appear to leverage Apple Intelligence for both organization and editing purposes, creating a more cohesive integration of AI throughout the system.
Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility continues to be a focus for Apple with this beta, which includes:
- Enhanced voice control capabilities with more precise command recognition
- New customization options for VoiceOver and screen reader functionality
- Improved motor accessibility features with better switch control support
These improvements build on Apple's commitment to making its platforms more accessible and demonstrate how AI capabilities can enhance accessibility features.
Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements
This beta addresses several significant issues that were present in earlier releases:
- Fixed kernel panics when connecting certain USB-C devices (a major issue in Beta 2)
- Resolved system freezes that could occur 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
These fixes significantly improve the stability of the beta, though as with any pre-release software, users should still expect some issues and inconsistencies.
⚠️ Beta Software Warning
macOS 14.5 Beta 3 is pre-release software intended for testing purposes. It may contain bugs and should not be installed on primary or mission-critical devices. Always back up your data before installing beta software.
Known Issues in Beta 3
Despite the numerous fixes, some issues remain in this beta release:
- 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
Apple advises developers to report any bugs or issues through the Feedback Assistant app included with the beta.
Public Beta Expected Soon
While this beta is currently only available to registered developers, Apple typically releases public beta versions approximately 1-2 weeks after the developer beta. Interested users can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program on Apple's website to receive the public beta when it becomes available.
The final release of macOS Sonoma 14.5 is expected sometime in June, possibly around the time of WWDC 2025, though Apple has not provided an official release date.
