Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.6 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.6 update to developers, one day after releasing macOS Sierra 10.12.5, a minor update that introduced a fix for a bug with USB headphones and other small improvements.

macOS Sierra 10.12.6 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or using the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

012 macos sierra 970 80
We don't know yet what's included in the macOS Sierra 10.12.6 update, but with the debut of the next-generation version of macOS approaching, it's likely to feature minor bug fixes, improvements, and security enhancements.

Development of macOS is wrapping up as Apple transitions to macOS 10.13, which will be introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Related Forum: macOS Sierra

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

redscull Avatar
114 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
114 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
I write these posts ahead of time so we can let you guys know as soon as a new beta is up. I can't combo them simply because they don't always come out at the same time. A new page isn't an option right now, but putting all minor beta updates on the blog is something we can consider.

I realize some people don't care for the beta posts, especially when they focus on minor changes, but a lot of people are interested in knowing when a new beta is out and discussing any possible changes.

We're coming up on iOS 11, macOS 10.13, and other new software releases, so beta posts will soon get a lot more exciting.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WildCowboy Avatar
114 months ago
MacRumors:
Seems Apple releases these betas and whatnot for all the OSs at the same time. Do we really need 4+ stories when they do this? It just scrolls your other content off the page faster. Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?

Better yet, would you consider a new "page" for these frequent version release stories? Not only would that declutter the main and secondary news pages, but a page dedicated to version release changes (essentially a patch log) would be nice and concise for perusing and discussing the evolution of mac features on the different platforms.
In addition to what Juli said, we also separate them out so that the forum discussion threads can be focused on each release rather than a jumble. We know it's a flood of stories all at once most times, and we've tried to minimize it a bit by keeping iOS and macOS on the front page while we put watchOS and tvOS on the blog. We can start putting macOS on the blog again, but we've gotten complaints in the past about that making the Mac a second-class citizen and an example of the downfall of Apple and MacRumors. ;)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redheeler Avatar
114 months ago
Why can't you wrap up all the release bits into one post for all OSs?
There are those, like myself, that only run MacOS betas or only run iOS betas and don't want to scroll though off-topic posts in this thread that discuss the other. For me it's MacOS, which is why I'm here instead of the iOS article thread. So I'm fine with the separate articles, even prefer it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kissmo Avatar
114 months ago
Well, maybe this time it will be macOS 11
Just a feeling or call it a hunch - when Apple releases macOS 11 - it will be the end of Steve's touches on the Mac.
I just got this shiver...

I am not saying it's bad, I am only saying it might feel as a goodbye to an era for the Mac.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redscull Avatar
114 months ago
I realize some people don't care for the beta posts, especially when they focus on minor changes, but a lot of people are interested in knowing when a new beta is out and discussing any possible changes.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen and respond.

I agree that even the less interesting betas are still news worth posting [on some page]. I didn't want to advocate them disappearing entirely. It's just the plastering of multiple stories at once that gets in the way. Too bad we can't have a new patch log page. Not just because of feeling the non-major releases aren't front page worthy, but also because I think it'd make the release posts more interesting to view them with readily accessible historical context.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)