Apple’s beta of macOS Monterey requires a significant download and can take a long time to install the software on your Mac.
The macOS Monterey beta is available to anyone currently enrolled in Apple’s developer program or the company’s Beta Software Program.
Apple’s new operating system for Mac is packed with changes, including improvements to FaceTime, Maps, Messages, and much more. These changes may convince you to try the beta on your computer.
If you decide to install the macOS Monterey beta on your Mac, you should spend time downloading, installing, and testing the software for issues. Apple’s developer program or Beta Software Program however, you’ll have to spend time doing that as well.
macOS Monterey beta requires a large download for all compatible Mac models. It’s several gigabytes, so the download and installation will take some time to complete.
We can’t say exactly how long the installation process will take because mileage will vary from person to person and device to device. Timing also depends on your familiarity with the beta process and your current macOS version.
However, we can help you estimate the approximate time it will take to download and install the macOS Monterey beta on your Mac.
If you are prepared for installation, you can complete everything in 30 minutes. If you’re starting from scratch, it may take an hour or more.
| Duty | Time |
|---|---|
| Backup to Time Machine (Optional) | 5 Minutes – One Day |
| macOS Monterey Beta Download | From 15 Minutes to Few Hours |
| macOS Monterey Beta Installation | 15 Minutes to 30 Minutes |
| Total macOS Monterey Beta Update Time | 30 Minutes – 1 Hour+ |
Pre-Installation
If you decide to install the macOS Monterey beta on your Mac, you’ll want to spend some time preparing to migrate from your current version of macOS.
If you’ve installed beta software before, it probably won’t take much time. If this is your first time using the macOS beta software, take your time.
We’ve put together a pre-installation guide that walks you through the steps we normally take before installing macOS beta software on our Macs.
You’ll want to back up your Mac’s data before moving your computer to beta. You’ll also want to seek out feedback from beta testers, find fixes for potential issues, and become familiar with the downgrade process.
These steps may take some of you 30 minutes and some an hour to complete. Either way, you’ll want to go through the prepared setup process.
macOS Monterey Beta Download
If you’re migrating your Mac from the latest version of macOS Big Sur to the macOS Monterey beta, your download will be several gigabytes. Again, the exact size will vary, but everyone will experience a massive download.
If you’re using the latest version of macOS and have a high-speed Wi-Fi connection at work or home, your download can complete pretty quickly.
For some of you, the download will complete in about 15 minutes. Others will encounter a much longer download time.
iOS 15 Beta Installation
You will be able to install macOS Monterey in about 15 minutes.
If you are installing iOS beta software for the first time, it may take longer. It’s worth noting that the public beta of macOS Monterey is a little easier to install.
If you decide to install the beta version on an external hard drive, you may need to take some more time. Installing the beta on an internal SSD or Fusion drive is usually slightly faster.
You won’t be able to use your Mac for a while while the macOS Monterey beta is installing. During this part of the installation process, your Mac will appear on a black screen while installing the beta and you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Post install
After running the macOS Monterey beta on your computer, you may need to spend time logging back into your apps and services.
You will want to check all your important files and make sure everything is where it should be. We also recommend using your core apps to make sure they work properly.
Apps, especially third-party apps, often run poorly on beta software, so you’ll want to make sure your most important services are stable. If not, you may need to revert to macOS Big Sur.
You’ll also want to monitor your Mac’s performance, as battery life and connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) can have an impact on beta software.
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