14 DAY TRIAL // Do you want to install OS X Mavericks 10.9.5, but you are not a paying developer? You can actually do that if you meet Apple's requirements. Everything is clear and open for beta testers.
The first thing you need to understand is that Apple names a piece of software "Beta" when it really is Beta. That means you are going to enter a world of potential bugs and glitches. Another piece of information is related to the way you can go back to regular stable updates. You can do that right away only if you are not on a beta seed. If you are running a Beta of OS X, then you have the option of restoring your Mac and therefore losing everything, or you can just wait until a new stable version is released and you can jump off the Beta wagon.
If you are OK with that, go ahead and follow the steps below to be an Apple Beta tester.
1. The first step to any Beta experience is a good back-up. But, as they say, one back-up is no back-up. Make sure to read these steps for a great back-up solution
2. After you have multiple back-ups and you know you can sleep well at night, move on to the next step – download the "Beta Access Utility". Click the link and you will be taken to a page where you can get the OS X Mavericks Beta package. Double Click to install it and run it. You need to make sure you already have OS X Mavericks 10.9 and your computer has at least 2GB of memory and 8GB of available space.
Installing this package will not install the latest beta. You need to wait until Apple releases that. All this package does is add an extra menu in your System Preferences.
3. Getting your precious Beta updates is just as easy as getting a stable update. You will see them in the Software Update tab of the App Store. Just hit Install and it will act just like a regular update. You need to know that Beta Updates will come out more often, but it will probably have bugs too, so if you are considering installing them on your work computer, think twice about that before you actually do it.
Apple is seeding these Betas in order for users to provide feedback. You will see the focus areas and a new app called "Feedback Assistant" that will give you a way to communicate with Apple.
Getting rid of the Beta Updates is just as easy. Go to System preferences and open the AppStore Pref pane. Then click the small button next to the line "Your computer is set up to receive pre-release Software Update seeds."