macOS Tahoe 26.2 Release Candidate Now Available to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today provided the release candidate of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update to developers and public beta testers, with the update coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third beta. The RC represents the final version of ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.2 that will be provided to the public as long as no bugs are found in the software.

macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb 2
Testers can download the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.2 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.2 includes Edge Light, a new feature for video calls. Edge Light adds a border of soft light around the edges of the Mac's display to illuminate your face in darkened rooms. Edge Light is meant to mimic the look of a physical ring light.

Edge Light uses the Neural Engine for positioning, so it is optimally placed around your face in the video frame. Light color can be adjusted from warm to cool, and intensity varies based on ambient lighting. Edge Light is available in video conferencing apps like FaceTime and Webex alongside other options like backgrounds, Portrait mode, and Voice Isolation. It works on Macs that support Apple silicon.

Along with Edge Light, the Reminders app is getting an option to have an alarm go off when a reminder is due, the News app has some design updates, and Apple is adding new features to the Podcasts app.

Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe
Related Forum: macOS Tahoe

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Top Rated Comments

ArrayDecay Avatar
3 weeks ago
I'll be sticking with Sequoia, thank you very much.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tywebb13 Avatar
3 weeks ago
build number is 25C56

other rc builds:

macOS 15.7.3 RC 4 (24G419)
macOS 14.8.3 RC 4 (23J220)
iOS 26.2 RC 1 (23C52)
iOS 18.7.3 RC 1 (22H217)
iPadOS 26.2 RC 1 (23C52)
iPadOS 18.7.3 RC 1 (22H217)
watchOS 26.2 RC 1 (23S303)
tvOS 26.2 RC 1 (23K51) - next day RC 2 (23K53)
audioOS 26.2 RC 1 (23K51) - next day RC 2 (23K53)
visionOS 26.2 RC 1 (23N301)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mac-hummer Avatar
3 weeks ago
I wouldn’t recommend installing any version of iOS 26 until at least 26.4. Remember, guys, iOS 26 is still a work in progress—an unfinished product. If you’re on the latest iOS 18 (18.7.2) (15.7.2 for macOS Sequoia), just stick with it until most of the bugs are taken care of
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robd003 Avatar
3 weeks ago
I really hope this fixes the memory leaks and insane battery drain
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
voodoo111 Avatar
3 weeks ago
So many bugs at the moment for me with Tahoe on my Macbook Pro M3. But the one that annoys me the most is that for some reason, if I close the lid on my Mac BEFORE placing my Airpods 3 into their case, it 'corrupts' the bluetooth connection. Music (Spotify, iTunes, Youtube) will no longer play once I put in my Airpods into my ears again. I have to remove them from Bluetooth settings and then re-pair them before they will work again. Annoying as hell!!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
loby Avatar
3 weeks ago
The article Writer said, “It will be released if they don’t find any remaining bugs…”. ???

Was this meant to be a joke? Nice to have a laugh first thing in the morning.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)