Connect with us

Apple

How to Get the OS X Mavericks Beta Right Now

Published

on

If you can’t wait for the OS X Mavericks release date later this year, you can dive into the Mavericks beta, which is better known as a developer preview.

The OS X Mavericks beta offers a variety of small changes including better multi-monitor support, tagging for system files and system-wide improvements that should boost battery life.

OS X Mavericks should run on any computer that is running OS X Mountain Lion, so there are many machines that users can try out the Mavericks Developer Preview on.

Apple only offers the OS X Mavericks beta to registered developers, but unlike the iOS 7 beta there is no requirement to register a UDID or other device ID with Apple to make it work.

Apple offers the OS X Mavericks Beta download to developers.Apple offers the OS X Mavericks Beta download to developers.

Apple offers the OS X Mavericks Beta download to developers.

Where to Get OS X Mavericks Beta Access

Officially the only way to try the OS X Mavericks beta is to be a registered Apple developer. By registering as a OS X developer users gain access to the OS X Mavericks beta and other developer resources. Users must pay a separate fee to join the OS X Developer Program, it is not included in the IOS Developer Program.

Once registered in the OS X Developer program, users can download a code which allows them to download OS X Mavericks from the Mac App Store.

There are other sources to download the OS X Mavericks beta, but these unofficial sources don’t hold up the software agreement with Apple. If this is not something you care about, they are easy enough to find, and don’t require a $8 registration or a payment at this time.

How to Install OS X Mavericks Beta

Installing the OS X Mavericks Beta is fairly straightforward, and is just like installing any major Apple OS X update. If any of these directions seem difficult or sound out of your grasp, you may want to avoid running beta software at this time.

1. Register with the Apple Developer program.

2. Go to the Mac Developer Center, Click on OS X Mavericks and scroll down until you can get a code.

Install the OS X Mavericks Beta on any machine capable of running OS X Mountain Lion.

Install the OS X Mavericks Beta on any machine capable of running OS X Mountain Lion.

3. Click Redeem Code and the Mac App Store will open. Download the OS X Mavericks Beta installation file. This will take a while as it clocks in at 4.97GB.

4. When the file is downloaded go to the LaunchPad and click on the Install OS X Mavericks icon.

Download the OS X Mavericks beta install file to get started.

Download the OS X Mavericks beta install file to get started.

5. Follow the system prompts which will install the update on top of your existing OS X installation preserving files.

6. When prompted allow the computer to restart to finish installing OS X Mavericks.

7. When the Mac restarts with OS X Mavericks, it will even open up the windows and apps which were running when the installation began. The process takes about an hour or and hour and a half after the files is downloaded.

Users wishing to perform a fresh or clean install of OS X Mavericks can follow the steps in this video to make a OS X Mavericks USB Flash drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cHjzAsUrxSE

What to Know Before Installing the OS X Mavericks Beta

OS X Mavericks Beta DownloadThe OS X Mavericks beta is not intended to be used on your primary Apple computer, as it is a beta that may not function as smoothly as OS X Mountain Lion.

Users with only one computer, and no time for any downtime or bugs, should avoid installing the OS X Mavericks beta. The same goes for users with a work computer that is not owned by them, or users who run mission critical software.

Some apps may not work correctly due to changes in the API. The purpose of this preview is to give developers the time to get ready before the OS X Mavericks release later this year.

The average user can hold off for a few months and purchase OS X Mavericks for much less, probably around $20 when it hits the Mac App Store this fall.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Ashish

    06/19/2013 at 9:40 am

    Hello.If I pay and enlist in the developer program and install the beta Will I have to pay the final version of Mavericks too when it is released to the public.
    Thanks

    • Ryan

      06/19/2013 at 12:12 pm

      No. You’ll get the full version when it is released.

  2. rob williams

    06/20/2013 at 2:08 am

    Just be aware, some seriously important apps don’t work… like parallels and any virtualisation software you may have :)

    as mentioned, it is a beta :)

  3. Sahmeir

    06/20/2013 at 12:04 pm

    @Rob

    Interesting that you say that, Parallels might not work inside of Mavericks, but I just received an update (at the time of posting this) for Parallels for support with Mavericks. So I’m assuming using Parallels on a stable system and VM with Mavericks. I’m going to try it out to confirm.

  4. ashish

    06/21/2013 at 3:02 am

    Thank you for the reply. I was wondering if anyone has noticed any glitches while working with aperture, MS office for Mac and iWork after installing the beta? Also I am assuming that the installation will be an upgrade and all my existing files and folders will be preserved.
    Thanks :)

  5. Tyler

    06/21/2013 at 11:50 am

    Do you only get 1 copy or code to download the beta software? I have multiple computers that I would like to download to but it says I have already used my code in the app store?

  6. Matze

    06/23/2013 at 11:02 pm

    Same here. Would appreciate some advice. Thanks :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.