All you need to know about the OS X El Capitan public beta


Matt Elliott/CNET

Mac users eager to get their hands on the next version of their operating system, OS X El Capitan, now have the option to download the public beta. Without paying for Apple’s Developer Program, it’s your chance to use the new features and scout for bugs before the public version of El Capitan is released later this year. Keep in mind that since it is a beta version, not everything will run completely smoothly, but it still gives you a taste of what’s to come.

Read on to learn how to install it and how to use all of the new features. We’ll be updating this list as we continue to post new content over the next few weeks, so check back often.

Getting started

How to install the OS X El Capitan public beta: If you can’t wait until the official release this fall, you should consider getting the public beta of El Capitan right now. Here’s how.

Features

How to use Split View in OS X El Capitan: Viewing two apps side by side on a Mac just got a lot easier.

Getting started with the updated Mission Control in OS X El Capitan: Mission Control received a few tweaks, not all of which are improvements.

Wiggle to find your cursor in OS X El Capitan: Lost track of your cursor? El Capitan has a fun and useful way to find it.

Discover Spotlight’s new talents in OS X El Capitan: Spotlight has some new tricks up its sleeve, making the OS X search agent that much more powerful with El Capitan.

See Mail’s new tricks in OS X El Capitan: The new version of Mail boasts swipe gestures and better fullscreen flexibility.

Find out what’s new with Notes in OS X El Capitan: Notes now supports checklists and a variety of media types. Plus it shares well with others.

How to hide the menu bar in OS X El Capitan: Use every pixel of your Mac’s screen by hiding the menu bar.

El Capitan Maps shows subway lines and shares directions with iPhones: Maps in OS X now has public transit maps for some cities and does it better (in some cases) than Google Maps. It also lets you shoot directions to your iPhone.

Browse better with Safari’s new tools in OS X El Capitan: Safari looks to Chrome and iOS for inspiration for three new features it introduces with El Capitan.