Apple has begun inviting its retail store employees to try pre-release versions of macOS Sierra, the latest version of its Mac software platform and renamed successor to OS X El Capitan.

Staff who sign up to the voluntary AppleSeed program are set to receive pre-release versions of macOS Sierra to install on their personal computers for use on their own time.

Sierra seed program
Apple is hoping that staff who get involved will help the company assess how the OS stands up in typical everyday usage scenarios, as outlined in its AppleSeed participation guidelines:

We ask that you use seeded software in your day-to-day activities, which is an environment that cannot be replicated at Apple. We will provide you with a variety of tools that will allow you to give us detailed information about your experience, should you decide to provide feedback to us.

As usual, the AppleSeed program is subject to a strict confidentiality agreement that prevents employees from publicly discussing their involvement in testing the seed.

Apple has invited retail employees to try pre-release software for the past few years, such as the company's Photos app, which replaced iPhoto and was released last year for OS X.

macOS Sierra was announced on Monday at WWDC 2016, and became available to developers for testing immediately after the company's keynote. Apple says a public beta will be launched in July, while the final public release is coming in the fall.

macOS Sierra includes a number of new capabilities, including Siri desktop integration, an automatic unlocking feature, universal Clipboard support, new iCloud integration, Apple Pay for the web, and more. The new Mac OS also features an entirely new file system, dedicated RAID Support, and an intelligent Optimized Storage function.

The macOS name, which does away with Apple's long-standing OS X naming scheme, also brings the name of the Mac operating system in line with iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Related Forum: macOS Sierra

Top Rated Comments

JGRE Avatar
115 months ago
New iCloud integration!! Oh wow, MORE system slowdowns as everything "phones" "home".

Amiga OS was faster, and I'm running a 12-core.

And why does "an entirely new file system" fill me and millions of others with dread?

:apple:
Where the hell are you talking about?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fivenotrump Avatar
115 months ago


And why does "an entirely new file system" fill me and millions of others with dread?

:apple:
Why indeed? I for one heartily welcome this.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
115 months ago
Can't tell if you are serious. Those employees don't get paid to beta test and have to do it on their own free time.
Came here expecting someone to comment about lack of pay, was not disappointed.
[doublepost=1466107316][/doublepost]
Yes. They are expected to beta test software on their private, personal equipment in their spare private time. You know, a company with that crap load of money in their bank accounts should at least have the decency to let their employees beta test the new product during work hours on company equipment.

There are a lot of other things that the company could do, but they all have in common that Apple should be generous to its employees, not the other way around.
Should have quoted this one. Better whine factor.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kanyehameha Avatar
115 months ago
Cool! But I'm more interested in news about the upcoming MacBook Pros lmao :rolleyes:

Need more leaks... Announcement dates... Release dates... Anything.... Plssss Apple don't keep us waiting like this :oops:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
115 months ago
I believe even Apple allows everyone to test macOS Sierra, there will still be critical bugs (breaks something, kernel panic etc) out there when it is released at Fall.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOSFangirl6001 Avatar
115 months ago
Can't tell if you are serious. Those employees don't get paid to beta test and have to do it on their own free time.
Can't tell if you're serious either or if you actually think I didn't know this


Side note last I checked unless you're an actual person working for Apple on the software/hardware R & D itself most people ARE NOT Paid to beta test. It may suck but it is what it is
[doublepost=1466157187][/doublepost]
Yes. They are expected to beta test software on their private, personal equipment in their spare private time. You know, a company with that crap load of money in their bank accounts should at least have the decency to let their employees beta test the new product during work hours on company equipment.

There are a lot of other things that the company could do, but they all have in common that Apple should be generous to its employees, not the other way around.
Wow does everyone here automatically assume every comment is 100% serious?

Do we need to insert </s> as if we were formatting or something?

I'll agree it does suck for the employees in those regards.

Some people might see it as lucky ONLY in the sense that they get a 1st look at a new product. Seriously tho hoping that anyone else thinking of quoting this and spazzing out can calm their titties :rolleyes:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...