
If you're already running OS X Yosemite gold master release candidate 3 (GM 3) or public beta 6 (PB 6), you won't need to update to the final release version in the Mac App Store (MAS). While there are minor differences in build numbers between the versions, Apple is considering both GM 3 and PB 6 as "final" and not offering the MAS version to anyone with either of them already installed.
Yes, if you're really fussy about your binary bits, you can download the final version from the MAS and run the installer anyway, but it's more gigabytes to download for very little difference, so only true completion-ists should even think about considering it.
Otherwise, whenever Apple releases the next point update — OS X 10.10.x — you'll get it same as everyone else, and be on the same build as everyone else going forward.
If you're on GM 3 or PB 6 and still debating whether or not to manually do the upgrade, let me know what you decide!
Reader comments
On Yosemite GM 3 or Public Beta 6 and wondering how to update to final release?
So, if I'm on the public beta I will be put onto the normal path once they release some upgrade? I can wait then. Otherwise, if I just download the release version it will download and install with no issues???
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It's easier than that.
You're already running it. What Rene meant is that release candidate 3 and public beta 6 ARE the GM. That's the build that was signed as final. The only difference is a build number.
I saw subtle differences between 3 and 6, especially concerning app icons. When I installed the final, there were still some apps such as iTunes and iMovie that had icon changes, and then again with the individual app updates from the store. I think it's better to just tell everyone to install the final, plus when I did the final app store install, it recovered several GB of space on my Macbook, a definite plus, on an already crowded drive.
Rene now you tell me.... Oh well guess better to be safe than sorry.
I was wondering about this. I got the updates for iWork and for Command Line Tools, but no Yosemite final. The public beta 6 update I got two days ago 'is' the final?
My nephew suggested that I just need to go download it. I'm doing that now, but the App Store noted that I was already running OS 10.10 and really should just check for updates, but I'm downloading it anyway, in case no 'final' update ever shows up or just as a backup in case I need it. I still have a Mavericks installer for the same reason...
After talking to Apple support I was told to download the Yosemite update from the app store. I was running Public Beta 6 and was told that I needed to download the final version. I have a problem after installing and that is some of my widgets are missing from the Today View on the sidebar and the social part is not working. Everything else is working no problem. Also on the Apple Beta Seed site in the FAQs it says to download the final version.
Because that's what you should do. I'm not sure why this site is giving false information.
A side benefit is to save the download installer (prior to installing). Quit installer, and save the Install app from the Applications folder to an external for future use. Should you need it, it is much faster than downloading again.
Another benefit is that the full installer will, in my opinion, clean up much better, any previous beta "upgrades" since the last full install. And lastly, running a full installer over the last beta, doesn't hurt either and sometimes repairs minor snafu's you may be experiencing.... Just my 2 cents.
I'm with you, I think that as best practice should be better to reinstall SO each 2 years at least. You'll be sure your system runs like a charm...
I'm on GM 3, but the updates to iPhoto, GarageBand and iMove aren't showing up in the App Store updates even though all iWork apps did. Therefore, I'm downloading the final version of Yosemite.
I went to download it and it told me 10.10 was already installed. Thats good enough for me.
Yeah I got that to, but it says to press continue. The Public Beta 6 version was 388b where the Final Yosemite version is 389.
Just because I'm a bit OCD, I went ahead and downloaded and installed the final 10.10 release on top of Beta 6. My only complaint is that the most recent Yosemite update in my update history says Yosemite Beta 6. I won't be able to sleep until this is corrected to show that I have full-fledged Yosemite installed. Will I have to wait until a post-final update to Yosemite?
My Macbook Air and macbook pro are both on gm3. And will stay there. iBooks Author, iPhoto, iMovie, Numbers, Pages and others have been happily updating today. Good enough for me. I always have a spare image or two to fall back to if needed.
I did the full download before reading this and it went swimmingly. A whole bunch of iWork updates showed up afterwards as well. Not sure if it was just coincidence that they started going live at that time or if I needed the public release to get them.
The app downloads such as iwork etc and many others happen also on the public beta version... Happened and still happening (now) at around the time of your post. Still runing the public beta and got all of them...
I was about the download the one on the MAS but it warned me that I already had OS X Yosemite installed. I'm on the Public Beta 6 and was confused whether I'd proceed to download any way. Good thing I found this article - thanks for clearing this up.
Are we going to get any more beta versions? Like 10.1 for example?
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I have Yosemite Beta 2 installed on my MacBook Pro. How do I install the final build in this version without having to download all the other beta versions? When I try to download it from the MAS, it asks me to continue but there is no 'Continue' button.
Download the final install from the MAS and install it.
He says that he can't download the final install because there's no option to do so, and your advise is to download the final install? :)
I have the same problem btw, I want to download full version, but MAS doesn't let me.
I did a clean install from a bootable USB. I didn't have anything important on my developer install anyway. It runs a million times smooth for me, too.
If you really want to update to the one in the Mac Ap Store, just download it and install it... You won't have to do anything it will just replace the OS that is currently installed. Would recommend a backup though (for any installation).
That explains why I couldn't see the update.
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Great! System Information reports the Public Beta 6 as simply OS X 10.10 (14A388b). I'm assuming that this is identical to the released version except for the build number. Once Apple releases, say, 10.10.1, that means that the 'beta version' will technically be simply upgraded to a normal version. That actually makes sense: it saves us the trouble of downloading something which is essentially the same thing.
Thanks for explaining this. I was actually considering to download the whole package from iTunes, but wondered if there wasn't an easier way (i.e. assuming that there were <em>slight</em> differences between PB6 and 10.10.0... I know now that there aren't!)
Good to know, I'll then wait for 10.10.x update.
ps: http://gmpk.us/b1i5y
I was bored this morning so I updated my rMBP from the GM3 to the "Final" version. My Haswell MBAir though is still running Mavericks as a backup.
R~ I had installed the PB on an external drive for most of the beta's run, but once PB6 was released I went ahead an updated my main machine (2011 11"MBA). Aside from some hiccups in iTunes handling mass changes of tags, it has run smoothly for me, even with 3rd party apps. I will leave it as is and continue with the updates as they come.
Call me paranoid, OCD, or a perfectionist, but I just didn't feel right leaving a beta version of the OS on their. Yes, I ran the installer on top of the beta....
Oh my God Gary! You are sooooooo OCD!!!!
Can i update to yosemite if i have PB5?
Yes. And apparently it cleans up quite a bit of files in the process, I saw more space on my drive after installing over 6.
"if you're really fussy about your binary bits, you can download the final version from the MAS"
This guy clearly has absolutely no idea what he is talking about, otherwise, he'd be able to technically explain what the differences are between GM/Public versions versus the final version. Everyone, don't be fooled, if the author knew anything about software and it's development lifecycle, he'd tell you to always download and install the final version... From a support perspective, Apple won't help you with a build that's beta when a final version is out.
Very helpful indeed; thank you!
Hi. I installed Yosemite beta 6 on a partition with my Mavericks on the original one. When I updated my Mavericks by downloading the installer from the MAS, the installation seems to stop at 3 minutes remaining, been trying that for 5 times now, each waited for about 2 hours, same result. Is that because of the Yosemite beta partition? Any help would be appreciated.
I am having problems with the final version of the OS X 10.10. The Beta 6. My keyboard is turning off at times and the Today view in Notification Center is not working, cannot clic on anything. Even after I installed the Yosemite from the App Store, nothing changed. Does anybody else has this problem. And what should I do?
1st - Make a backup of your main (or only) drive (with, for example, Time Machine).
2nd- Reboot.
Did that fix your problems? If not . . .
3rd- Download and install (run) Yosemite from the Mac App Store.
Still having problems?
4th- Clone your drive to another drive (for example, an external drive) or disk image using Super Duper or Carbon Copy Cloner. Ideally, you should have it back up only your user folder.
5th- [Caution: *This*will*DELETE*EVERYTHING*. That's why you need backups.] Restart from the recovery partition on your drive, and follow the directions to delete everything and install Yosemite.
6th- Use Time Machine to restore your files.
1-4 did not work. There must be something wrong with the Beta 6 version. Holding off for the 5th step for a bit, maybe there will be a software update soon, and that maybe will solve it. Could there be a problem because of the different accounts I am using, in terms of App Store? And thanks for your time.
I downloaded Public4 2 weeks ago and on Oct 13th I installed Public Beta 6 Do I still need to download the final version? Or I am good to go?
I installed the final over PB 6 and it recovered quite a large chunk of HD space in the process.
I downloaded Yosemite installer from Mac App Store and replaced my Yosemite GM3.
Everything's fine and smooth. I notice it's more snappier and faster than my GM3 on my MacBook Pro 13" mid-2012.
All my environment variables, application, and my development tools are still there. Except my VPN configurations. I have to setup all my VPN connections all over again
anyone else out there unable to search for apps using Spotlight? I've checked my preference pane & "Applications" is checked so this is really baffling to me… I sent feedback on the last 2 betas and hoping this is one of the things that is fixed in the final release!
my bad - i created a separate partition to evaluate Yosemite and turns out the partition was dragged into the "Privacy" section - deleted it and it's all good now - glad something as basic as this was user error… ;-)
I've just received this email from Apple:
http://i.imgur.com/NiuQ34y.png
I disabled the option to receive further beta updates in the system preferences, and rolled out of the beta program altogether.
At this point I don't know if I should download and run the installer of the release version or stick with the beta.
I got an email today from apple saying download the public release but that didn't do anything really. The App store told me I already had it.
As a "completionist" I decided to install the GM over Public Beta 6. I'm glad I did because it actually cleaned up quite a bit of 'junk' from previous updates. I recovered several GB of data on my Macbook Hard Drive, which made it 'completely' worthwhile.
Hi
im using the pb6 and i still have bugs, like i cant open desktop and screensaver in sp. so im thinking know it out i might do a clean install