How to install OS X El Capitan over the El Cap GM beta seed

By Serenity Caldwell
last updated

OS X El Capitan
OS X El Capitan

OS X El Capitan is here for the masses, and for beta users, that means a chance to once again live on the production software seed. The OS X El Capitan GM is a few version numbers behind the production software, so if you want the latest and greatest, here's how to hop back on to the production train. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there's a delta update, so you will have to download the full 6GB installer to proceed.

Remember: Always make sure you have a backup of your information before attempting any OS X upgrades, for safety's sake.

  1. Launch the Mac App Store from your Dock (or by typing Command-Spacebar to launch Spotlight and then entering in App Store).
  2. Click on the Featured tab.
  3. When OS X launches, there should be a gigantic OS X El Capitan banner atop the Featured page. If you don't see this, you can also go to the OS X El Capitan link under Quick Links and above Apps Made by Apple. Or you can click here (opens in new tab) for the direct link.


  1. Click the Download button underneath the OS X El Capitan icon.
  2. When the App Store asks if you'd like to continue, press Continue. The installer will then proceed to download.


  1. When the installer launches, go ahead and install it.

We'll also have instructions for folks trying to roll back from the beta version of OS X 10.11.1 very soon.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments and we'll try to get you sorted out.

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○ Updating macOS: The ultimate guide
○ macOS Big Sur Help Forum

Serenity Caldwell
Serenity Caldwell

Serenity was formerly the Managing Editor at iMore, and now works for Apple. She's been talking, writing about, and tinkering with Apple products since she was old enough to double-click. In her spare time, she sketches, sings, and in her secret superhero life, plays roller derby. Follow her on Twitter @settern.

14 Comments
  • Situations like this make me really miss Archive and Install!
  • how do we get rid of feedback assistant?
  • You don't. Feedback assistant is a part of the OS and is always installed, even with the full release. Just remove it from your dock.
  • Kind of item figured it when I tried to delete the app and was told that I couldn't because it is required for the Mac. Sent from the iMore App
  • How do you remove the software update for Public Beta? It keep showing as a software update after I installed the public release over the GM.
  • From Systems Preference click on App Store and next to “Your computer is set to receive pre-release Software Update seeds”, click the “Change” button and click on "Do not show pre-release updates"
  • THANK YOU!!! This was driving me crazy!
  • Awesome! great answer! Thanks Much!!
  • Great! I've got to burn 6GB of mobile data again!
  • Which is the newer version, the production version or the latest public beta?
  • Production.
  • Is it confirmed to be *actually necessary* to do this? I did some digging and with Yosemite it was stated that even though the build number is slightly different, the code is the same as the release version. People were to switch off beta builds then simply wait for the .1 release which would bring everyone back onto the same build number via the normal update path.
  • Well, the issue is that some new updates — like iMovie — really require the production version to be installed. The El Cap Beta is 'too old' for such updates...
  • I have a beta installed. I'm attempting to download it, however, the download never completes in that I never get the dialogue box with the "continue" prompt. Should I just reinstall it using Apple's recommended erase and backup?.