Just days after releasing macOS 15.6, Apple is now rolling out release candidate versions of macOS 15.7, as well as macOS 14.8. This suggests that the official updates could come sooner than expected.
Going straight to RC is a rare move
Usually, Apple tends to release a few developer beta builds before moving on to a Release Candidate (RC).
Given the shorter-than-usual testing window and the fact that macOS Sonoma is also getting its first update since 14.7.6 back in May, it is likely that the update is security-related, but not serious or urgent enough to warrant a Rapid Security Response patch.
Be it as it may, Apple’s release notes for both versions mention only the following:
“This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.”
The macOS Sequoia 15.7 RC has build number 24G207, while the macOS Sonoma 14.8 RC is build 23J8. Both are available now for developers.
Earlier today, Apple also released new beta versions for iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26. Xcode 26 also got a new beta version, and it now has two distinct download options, one of them Apple silicon-specific.
We’re still digging through today’s releases. For the full list of everything new with iOS 26 beta 5, check out this post.
Update: The internal software identifiers for the macOS 14.8 and 15.7 release candidates indicate that they pull security fixes from the macOS 26 development cycle. This means Apple is backporting security patches that will be released with macOS 26, ensuring users on macOS 14 and 15 won’t be exposed to vulnerabilities addressed in the upcoming release.
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