Apple pushed out more testing builds on January 26, 2026. Alongside iOS 26.3 beta 3, the company has now released the third Release Candidate (RC) builds for macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 and macOS Sonoma 14.8.4, which usually means the public rollout is getting close.
These new RCs matter most for people who stay on older macOS branches for app compatibility, IT policies, or workflow stability. Apple often uses late-cycle RC updates like this to stamp out last-minute bugs and finalize security patches before release.
For reference, the third RC build numbers are now:
- macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 (third RC): Build 24G512
- macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 (third RC): Build 23J314
How to update
- Open System Settings.
- Go to General.
- Select Software Update.
- If you are enrolled in beta or developer updates, you should see the latest RC build appear.
- Click Update Now and follow the prompts.
Tip: If you do not see the update, check that your Mac is signed in with the Apple ID enrolled in the beta program, and confirm that beta updates are enabled in Software Update settings.
Changes in macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 and macOS Sonoma 14.8.4
Apple has not posted detailed release notes for these specific RC builds yet, but the company is expected to ship important security fixes and stability improvements in both updates.
Here is what you should expect in practical terms:
- Security patches that close known vulnerabilities.
- Bug fixes aimed at reliability, especially for everyday apps and system services.
- Minor performance tuning, which often arrives quietly in maintenance updates.
If Apple publishes the official security notes, it should clarify what changed between RC 2 and this third RC.
Apple’s broader software cycle is also moving fast right now. Reports continue to point to a public iOS 26.3 release in February, and early testing for iOS 26.4, which is linked to talk of a Gemini-powered Siri preview next month.
That said, if you are focused on your Mac, the key takeaway is simple: these third RC builds usually signal a near-term public release, so this is a good time to install the update on a test machine and confirm your critical apps still behave normally.
Let us know in the comments if you spot any visible changes after installing macOS Sequoia 15.7.4 RC 3 or macOS Sonoma 14.8.4 RC 3.
