How to Safely Test macOS Beta Without Risking Your Solopreneur Business

Introduction to macOS Beta Testing

Ever wondered if you could peek into the future of macOS without risking your solopreneur business? Well, today’s your lucky day.

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of macOS beta testing, and I will show you how to satisfy your tech curiosity while keeping your business data safe.

Stick around till the end because I have a special tip for those of you juggling multiple Apple devices.

I’ll unpack all of this after the intro.

Welcome to Macpreneur Podcast

Hello, hello, and welcome to episode 107 of the Macpreneur podcast.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a long-time listener, I appreciate that you carve out some time in your busy solopreneur schedule. I’ve created Macpreneur to help as many solopreneurs as possible save time and money running their businesses on their Macs.

Now, in order to give you the most relevant Mac productivity tips and information, I need to know how well you’re currently dealing with the three killers of Mac productivity, namely, unnecessary clicks, repetitive typing, and file clutter.

For that, just visit macpreneur.com/tips and answer a few questions, which will take you less than two minutes.

After submitting your answers, you will receive personalized time-saving tips based on your results. 

Once again, visit macpreneur.com/tips and start boosting your efficiency today.

Episode outline

Beta testing macOS before its official release can be tempting, especially with all the new features that Apple teases us with.

However, doing so without proper precautions can negatively impact the security and functionality of your solopreneur business. So, how can you safely test it out?

In this episode, we’ll explore the motivations behind beta testing macOS, understand the security risks that you might expose yourself to, and discuss the safest methods to test it without compromising your business.

Stick around till the end as I will discuss how to safely beta test iOS and iPadOS too.

Understanding Beta Testing Motivation

So let’s start with the main motivation for beta testing the upcoming version of macOS.

The first one is that you might be curious about the features that will be introduced next fall.

At the time of recording, July 2024, the next version will be macOS 15 Sequoia, which will finally introduce window management features that have been available on Microsoft Windows PCs for decades. I’m talking specifically about dragging an application window to either edge of the screen to automatically resize it. So dragging an app window to the right edge of the screen will resize that window so that it fills the right half of the screen.

The same thing on the left, top, and bottom edges. If your screen is big enough, you can even drag the app window to either corner to fill a quarter of the screen. On top of that, there are keyboard shortcuts to achieve the same result.

Now, you can already get a similar feature with macOS Sonoma or earlier versions using third-party tools like Raycast, which is free, BetterSnapTool, about 3 euros on the Mac App Store, or Moom, 10 euros on the Mac App Store.

The second motivation would be to test if your business-critical applications will run properly on the upcoming version of macOS. It’s important to realize that not all app developers make their apps compatible right away. In other words, if this is your main motivation, then it is best to wait for the last month or so of the beta testing phase, meaning between mid-August and mid-September.

The third motivation would be to test business-critical peripherals, like your printer, a legacy scanner, or anything else that you rely upon to run your solopreneur business.

The same thing as with applications, not all manufacturers make their device drivers and companion apps compatible right away. So in this case, wait also until mid-August before beta testing the next version of macOS.

The fourth and final reason would be to test business-critical online services, either as a user or as a web developer.

Here, if you absolutely need to use a third-party browser like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, you will want to test if those run properly in the next version of macOS. Now, if you primarily use Safari, you actually don’t need to beta test macOS, because Apple provides two ways to test the next version of Safari.

If your Mac is running the latest official version of macOS, then the safest is to install Safari Technology Preview, which can run alongside the current version of Safari.

Now, if your Mac is still one version of macOS behind the latest one, then the only way is by installing the beta version of Safari.

However, it is very risky because it overwrites the current version of Safari, and the only way to go back is by reinstalling macOS, so only do that if you are a web developer and you have a secondary device.

Security Risks of Beta Testing

Next up, let’s discuss the potential security risks associated with beta testing macOS.

The first risk is that your device could become bricked. In case you haven’t heard this term before, it means that due to serious bugs in macOS, your device would be completely unusable; it wouldn’t boot anymore, and usually, the only way to get it working again is to completely wipe it. Sometimes, it even requires a trip to an Apple store or an authorized Apple service provider.

The second risk is data loss, either locally on your Mac or with data synchronized with iCloud or other cloud storage providers. This could also impact data stored inside applications like Notes, Mail, or Calendar.

The third and final risk is that your device could be compromised by malware. Beta versions of software and operating systems are naturally full of bugs and vulnerabilities, making them prime targets for bad actors.

macOS Beta Versions and testing methods

This is why it’s important to know about the safest methods to beta test macOS, and let’s start by briefly discussing the two different beta versions that are available.

The first one is called the Developer Beta. It becomes available right after the WWDC Keynote, which is the Worldwide Developers Conference, for anyone registered at developer.apple.com. It used to be a paid program, but now it’s completely free.

The main purpose of the Developer Beta is for developers to test their apps with the next version of macOS. Additionally, they can start incorporating new functionalities into their applications. Unless you are a developer, you should avoid this version and wait for the other one.

The public beta version has historically been made available by mid-July, roughly one month after the WWDC keynote. It contains the same code as the latest Developer Beta, but is usually released a few days later. For example, in 2024, the macOS 15 Sequoia Developer Beta 3 was released on July 10, and five days later, on July 15, the macOS 15 Sequoia Public Beta 1 was released.

To access the public beta, you need to sign up first at beta.apple.com. Then, you must agree to the Apple Beta Software Program Agreement. This is a confidentiality agreement that you sign, agreeing that you will only post screenshots and discuss features that have already been publicly disclosed by Apple.

I strongly suggest signing up for that program using a secondary Apple account rather than your main one.

When it comes to methods for beta testing macOS, here are four of them, sorted from safest to riskiest: First, using a secondary device not linked to your solopreneur business. Second, testing inside a virtual machine. Third, running it from an external SSD. And fourth, testing from another partition of the internal drive.

Method #1: Secondary device

So let’s begin with using a secondary device, totally independent from your business.

This is what every solopreneur should shoot for. Period. The big advantage is that there are no risks regarding the main Mac and the iCloud data. And it’s also the easiest to do for most Mac users. On top of that, you don’t need to worry about storage space on your main Mac.

The big disadvantage is that, first obviously, it requires a compatible Mac. I will put a list and a link in the show notes for the list with macOS Sequoia. And if you want to test applications that require a license, make sure that you are able to easily use the same license after installing the app on another device.

Setapp Promo Code

And actually, this is where I feel it’s my duty to talk about Setapp. In case you don’t know, Setapp is a subscription service that gives access to a catalog of more than 240 Mac applications, as well as iPhone and iPad companion apps.

The base plan covers one Mac, the intermediate plan covers one Mac and four iOS devices, and the plan that I have, called Power User, covers four Macs and four iOS devices. 

This means that with my plan, I can easily test all the Setapp applications while beta testing macOS.

No need to buy additional licenses or try to find all the different license keys.

Normally, you can only try Setapp for free for 7 days, but if you use the promo code “macpreneur” at signup, the free trial period is extended to 30 days. 

To get this special bonus at no cost to you, just visit macpreneur.com/setapp. And you will see that the promo code “Macpreneur” will be pre-filled for you. 

Just click on the continue button, then create a Setapp account, either using your Apple ID, your Google account, or by submitting your name, email address, and the password of your choice.

Once again, visit macpreneur.com/setapp to start streamlining how you manage your software licenses today.

Step-by-Step Process To Beta Test From A Secondary Device

Okay, now let’s talk about the process that I recommend following when beta testing macOS on a spare Mac.

If possible, start from a fresh install of the previous version of macOS, or at the minimum, install all the latest security updates.

Then, you would configure a secondary iCloud account and all the necessary apps that you want to test. Then, you will make a Time Machine backup and a clone, if possible, of the machine at that state.

Afterwards, there are two options to actually install the beta version of macOS.

If your Mac is already running macOS Ventura 13.4 or later, you just visit System Settings, then Software Updates, and you will see an option for Beta Updates. You just say ‘yes’, and then it will allow you to install the latest beta version.

If you have an earlier version of macOS, you will need to visit beta.apple.com and then install the macOS Public Beta Access Utility. It’s an application that will tweak system preferences. So you will go back afterwards into System Preferences, Software Updates, and you will see then that you will have access to the public beta version of macOS.

Method #2: Virtual Machine

Second method, inside a virtual machine.

The big advantage is that it can be run from your main Mac without the risk of losing business-critical data or even breaking the Mac.

And on top of that, it’s possible to test multiple beta versions simultaneously.

The disadvantage is that it requires a developer account and installing the beta version of Xcode, which takes about four gigs of space. 

It also requires sharing the built-in RAM between the host and the guest. 

So it means that if you have less than 16 gigs of RAM on your Mac, it’s going to be very tough. 

It’s also, at the moment, not possible to log into iCloud or the App Store from inside a virtual machine. Uh, actually, Apple is changing that, but the host needs to be already on Sequoia. 

And then you need to be able to allocate at least 64 gigabytes of storage space, preferably 128 gigs or more, just for the virtual machine internal drive. And so that could be done locally or on an external SSD. Also, it is not as straightforward as installing it directly on the device.

In short, it’s okay for developers and Mac users who are already familiar with virtual machines. And if that’s your case, just Google the procedure for the chosen virtual machine software that you want.

Method #3: External SSD

Third method, by installing it on an external SSD. The big advantage is that, obviously, it doesn’t take any storage space on the internal hard drive.

It is suitable even for Macs that only have 8 gigs of RAM. It doesn’t require a developer account, and it’s also possible to sign into iCloud and the Mac App Store within the beta version. On top of that, it can be run from the main Mac without the risk of needing to reformat the internal hard drive.

The disadvantages are that it requires purchasing an external SSD. I would say a minimum of 512 gigabytes. There is still a risk of bricking the Mac because there could be a bug with macOS or with the firmware that will be installed alongside macOS.

Also, you cannot use your Mac while it’s booted from the external hard drive. What I mean by that is you cannot use the main environment of your Mac.

In short, I recommend using that method with a secondary Mac that you don’t want to erase.

And so, for the process, if needed, backup any data that you might have already on the external hard drive, then turn off the computer, plug the external hard drive in, and boot from the recovery partition. I talked about that in a previous episode; I will put the link in the show notes. Then you will open Disk Utility, select the external hard drive, and erase it by choosing the right format and the right partition map, and so on. Then you will exit Disk Utility and install the current version of macOS.

If needed, you will need to enter the password of an administrator user account. Then you will select the external drive and proceed with a fresh install of the current version of macOS.

And afterwards, you will reboot from the external hard drive. You will go through the setup process, including entering your secondary Apple account for iCloud and the App Store.

Ideally, you want to make a backup or a clone of that external drive in that state, and then you will visit the System Settings, turn on Beta Updates, and install the public beta, and then configure it.

Method #4: Secondary partition

The fourth method and the least safe is from a secondary partition of the internal hard drive of a Mac.

The big advantage is that you don’t need to buy an external SSD. Again, it’s suitable for Macs with only 8 gigs of RAM. Again, it doesn’t require a developer account, and it’s possible to sign in to iCloud and the Mac App Store within the beta version.

Now, the big disadvantage is that it requires enough internal storage space left, so if you only have a 256-gigabyte internal hard drive, it may not be enough.

There are also risks associated with partitioning the internal hard drive. And if anything goes wrong on the macOS beta partition, it could actually damage the entire drive and you would then need to reformat the internal hard drive completely, meaning the partition that has the version of macOS that is the current one.

On top of that, there is also the risk of bricking the Mac, and the same thing applies: you cannot use your Mac from the main partition while it is booted from the secondary partition. Again, it’s okay if you try that, but from a secondary Mac, not the main one.

In terms of the process, it’s the same as with an external SSD, except that in Disk Utility, instead of erasing the external hard drive, you will partition the internal one, and then install macOS fresh on the second partition.

What NOT to do and what I’m doing

In any case, never ever install a beta version of macOS directly on the internal hard drive of your main Mac. 

If you only have one secondary Mac that you have already allocated as your backup device in case your main Mac has an issue, then depending on the amount of memory and available storage space, I would suggest choosing between the virtual machine and the external SSD method. 

In my case, I have combined both, as I am currently beta testing macOS Sequoia inside a virtual machine, running on an external SSD connected to my 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is my secondary and backup Mac.

Beta Testing iOS and iPadOS

Before concluding this episode, there is one more thing that I’d like to mention.

To fully try out some of the upcoming features of macOS, like iPhone mirroring with Sequoia, you might be tempted to beta test iOS. And if you have an iPad, you might be tempted to test iPadOS too because the latest one, iPadOS 18, will get a new calculator app that allows you to make calculations, uh, and resolve equations and create nice graphs.

In that case, you need to be even more cautious because the only way to downgrade to a previous version of iOS or iPadOS is to completely wipe the device and restore it to factory settings.

And you can only restore data that has been backed up with an older version or an equivalent version of iOS and iPadOS that you had reinstalled. In other words, if you have an iOS 18 backup, it cannot be restored after downgrading to iOS 17. So you need a backup when the device was still on iOS 17.

And then, mobile devices running a beta version of iOS or iPadOS tend to run noticeably slower and hotter.

And finally, the battery drains much faster because beta versions of iOS and iPadOS are not fully optimized yet, and there are background telemetry and logging tasks running constantly.

This is why it’s very important to use only a secondary, non-business-critical mobile device and to configure it with a secondary iCloud account, the same as you would use to beta test macOS, for instance. And also, before installing the beta version of iOS or iPadOS, you absolutely need to make a local backup of the device onto your Mac.

And then, even more important, archive the local backup so that it cannot be overwritten. That way, you will be able to restore that backup if you ever need to downgrade from the beta version to the latest official version.

Episode recap

So, to recap, beta testing macOS can be a great way to prepare for the new features and ensure compatibility with your essential apps and peripherals.

Remember to choose the safest method that suits your needs, whether it’s using a secondary Mac, a virtual machine, an external SSD, or a secondary partition.

And follow my recommendations if you are tempted to beta test the upcoming version of iOS and iPadOS too.

In any case, prefer the public beta version, unless you are already a developer.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a fellow solopreneur and DM me on Instagram. My handle is @MacpreneurFM.

Next and outro

Today’s episode concludes Season 5, which was dedicated to the digital security aspect of your solopreneur business. 

If you’re interested in this topic and you’ve discovered the Macpreneur podcast only recently, I recommend visiting macpreneur.com/season5, where you will find all the episodes about digital security.

Since I’ll be taking a few weeks of vacation beginning in August, there will be a break in the regular programming. It doesn’t mean that the podcast feed will be empty, as I will rebroadcast the most popular and evergreen episodes from Season 1.

And given that it’s the summer holidays, the next episode will give you tips and tricks when traveling with Apple gear.

For Season 6, which will start in September, I have decided to switch back to an interview format, with one episode already recorded and a few more in the preparation stage.

In fact, if you’d like to be a guest, just visit macpreneur.com/apply. Fill out the application form and I will get back to you within a few days.

I’d love to chat with you about how you run your solopreneur business on your Mac and what tips, tools, and strategies you have put in place to be more efficient.

Once again, visit macpreneur.com/apply. I can’t wait to feature you in an upcoming episode of the Macpreneur podcast.

And until next time, I’m Damien Schreurs, wishing you a great day.

Thank you for listening to the Macpreneur Podcast. If you’ve enjoyed the show, please leave a review and share it with a friend right now.