Apple rolled out the fourth developer preview of macOS 26.5 just seven days after beta 3 hit testers. The build, identified as 25F5068a, arrives ahead of the final public release slated for later this month. Unlike the previous 26.4 update, which added Safari’s compact tabs and a Charge Limit setting, this iteration feels more restrained, focusing on polishing existing functionality for developers and early adopters.

Most of the new features debuting in macOS 26.5 live on iOS or are cross‑platform tweaks. Apple is pushing end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messaging, expanding Live Activities support for third‑party accessories in Europe, and rolling out a Suggested Places layer in Maps. On the desktop, the update appears to be a classic bug‑fix and performance‑tune release.

Installing beta 4 follows the usual safety steps: back up the machine, open System Settings, navigate to General → Software Update, tap the info icon beside Beta Updates, and select the macOS Developer Tahoe option. Users who spot regressions are encouraged to report them in the comments. With WWDC 26 looming, this beta likely serves as the final polishing round before macOS 27 lands.