La macOS 26.4 public beta 2 It's already being rolled out to users enrolled in Apple's beta program, just hours after the corresponding developer beta was released. With this build, the company continues to fine-tune the changes planned for this Mac operating system update.
This isn't a version that completely revolutionizes the experience, but it is a beta that focuses on relevant adjustments in Safaribattery management and transition to Apple SiliconIn addition, Apple takes the opportunity to correct errors detected in the initial tests and prepare the ground for the next stages of development.
macOS 26.4 Public Beta Availability 2
Following the initial developer release, Apple has now released the second public beta of macOS 26.4This allows any user with an Apple ID and registered for free in the beta program to try out the new features before the final version.
The compilation identified as 25E5218f It's exactly the same in both the developer channel and the public channel, so all testers are working on the same codebase. This makes bug reports more consistent and allows Apple to react more quickly to common issues.
Anyone wishing to sign up for the testing program can do so by entering beta.apple.com and following a guide to installing the betaYou can get it by linking your Apple account and enabling beta updates in System Preferences, under Software Update. However, it's important to remember that this is still a beta version.
What's new in macOS 26.4: Safari, battery, and Rosetta notifications
The macOS 26.4 update focuses on a set of specific changes that had already begun to appear in beta 1 and are now being implemented. One of the most noticeable changes is the return of the compact tab bar in Safari, a more streamlined interface that had disappeared in previous versions and that many users missed.
With this compact tab bar, Safari once again offers a denser presentation of the eyelashesThis is especially useful on laptop screens or when working with multiple sites open simultaneously. Apple had already tested this approach in previous editions of macOS TahoeHowever, the option had been removed, generating quite a few complaints among advanced users.
Another important aspect of macOS 26.4 is the arrival of a native load limit controlUntil now, this possibility was achieved through third-party utilities, but with the new beta the system allows setting the maximum battery charge between 80% and 100% according to the user's preferences.
The idea behind limiting charging is to extend battery life in Mac laptops that spend a significant amount of time plugged in. Constantly keeping the battery at 100% isn't ideal in the long run, so this built-in macOS feature can be especially useful for users who use their Mac as their primary work computer at home or in the office.
Rosetta 2 and the definitive push towards Apple silicon
Apple had already hinted that Rosetta 2 support has an expiration date, and with macOS 26.4, it's making that even clearer. The system It will warn users when they run apps that depend on Rosetta.Remembering that the translator will not remain available indefinitely.
The company is thus seeking to put pressure, above all, on developers who have not yet adapted their applications to the Apple silicon architecture. In Europe and Spain, where many small studios and independent developers work at a different pace than the large publishers, these announcements can be the final push to update their projects.
In practice, the goal is that, when the next major generation of macOS arrives, the software ecosystem for Apple silicon will already be mature and the dependence on Rosetta 2 should be minimalFor users, this should translate into more efficient applications, with better performance and lower energy consumption.
Some preliminary texts of earlier versions even mentioned that Rosetta's complete withdrawal would occur around future macOS versions after 26.4In any case, public beta 2 does not yet remove the translator: it simply introduces notifications and prepares the ground for its disappearance in the medium term.
For those still relying on older applications, the message is clear: it's advisable to start looking for native alternatives, update licenses, or at the very least, Check with the developers about the migration plan Apple silicon to avoid surprises when the next major versions of the system arrive.
Internal adjustments, bug fixes, and stability
Beyond the visible new features, macOS 26.4 public beta 2 comes with the usual battery life of bug fixes and performance adjustmentsApple uses this second beta as a stabilization phase, in which the changes introduced in beta 1 are refined and problems reported by early developers and testers are corrected.
In the release notes for previous versions, for example, a problem with the radius of window corners and resize cursorThe issue was that the graphics didn't follow the rounded shape correctly. Initially, it was reported that the bug had been fixed, but it was later reclassified as a known issue. With this new build, Apple continues working to resolve this and other minor graphical bugs.
As is typical in a beta 2, the main goal is not so much to introduce major new features, but to make the previously announced features will work more consistentlyThis applies especially to Safari's compact tab bar and battery charging limit, which must perform reliably before reaching the general public.
In day-to-day use, many users will barely notice these tweaks, but in the medium term they translate into a A more robust, consistent, and predictable macOSIn professional environments, that kind of stability is almost as important as the big news that usually grabs headlines.
For those who use the Mac as their main work tool, both in companies and as freelancers spread across Spain and other European countries, these small stability improvements can make a difference in response times, fewer occasional crashes, or more reliable battery management.
Relationship with other Apple betas and what comes next
The arrival of macOS 26.4 public beta 2 is part of a broader cycle of updates in the Apple ecosystem, in which other features are also being tested. iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and watchOS 26.4All these versions share a fairly rapid release cadence, with new betas coming out within a few days of each previous stable update.
In the specific case of macOS, the signs indicate that Apple intends to still to release several additional betas before reaching the Release Candidate version and subsequently the final version for all users. If no serious bugs appear, the schedule shouldn't be delayed too much.
Unlike what was expected in iOS and iPadOS, where there was speculation about a significant leap in Siri capabilities and advanced artificial intelligence features, in macOS 26.4 No major developments are apparent in that area at the moment.The current version remains focused more on practical adjustments and improving the foundation upon which major new features will be built.
That doesn't preclude the possibility of small additions appearing as future builds progress: from new emojis that are activated in a coordinated manner across the entire ecosystem even minor changes to system applications. But, judging by this public beta 2, the priority seems to be properly shutting down the features that are already active.
For those who prefer to wait for the final edition, the release of this public beta 2 is a good indicator that macOS 26.4 enters a maturity phase within its development cycle. The system is becoming more established, and each new beta should bring fewer visible changes and more internal refinement.
With all that said, macOS 26.4 public beta 2 is shaping up to be a low-key update in terms of headlines, but quite relevant in practice: it brings back the compact tab bar in Safari, introduces a system-integrated battery charge limit, and begins to seriously warn about the future end of Rosetta 2, consolidating the definitive shift towards Apple silicon while polishing bugs and improving the overall stability of the system.
