Install Microsoft Edge Preview on macOS: Full Guide

Yes, you can install Microsoft Edge preview builds on macOS—both the Beta and Dev channels are available for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, while the Canary channel is currently limited to Apple Silicon. This guide walks you through the official download, installation, and update process, plus what to expect from each preview channel.

What Are the Edge Preview Channels?

Microsoft offers three preview channels for Edge, each with a different update cadence and stability level. They run side-by-side with the stable version, so you can test new features without losing your normal browser setup.

Beta: Major updates every 4 weeks. Most stable preview, closest to the final release.
Dev: Weekly updates. Good balance of new features and stability.
Canary: Daily updates (if available). Least stable, newest features, may crash.

All channels share the same Chromium core, so sites and extensions behave similarly. However, preview builds may have experimental flags, UI changes, or performance issues that don’t appear in the stable version.

System Requirements for macOS

Before downloading, make sure your Mac meets the minimum requirements. Microsoft lists these for Edge on macOS:

macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later (as of 2024; older versions may work but aren’t officially supported).
Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) processor.
At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended).
About 500 MB of free disk space for the browser itself.

Note that Canary builds are now only available for Apple Silicon Macs. If you have an Intel Mac, you can still use Beta and Dev, but not Canary.

Step-by-Step Installation

Installing a preview build is straightforward, but you need to download the correct package for your Mac’s chip.

Go to the official Microsoft Edge preview download page (edge.microsoft.com or the main Edge page, then select “Download for other platforms”).
Choose your channel (Beta, Dev, or Canary) and select macOS as the platform. The site should automatically detect whether you need the Apple Silicon or Intel version, but you can manually select if needed.
Download the .pkg file. This is an installer package, not a drag-to-Applications app.
Double-click the downloaded file. macOS will show a warning that the package is from “Microsoft Corporation”—click Continue.
Follow the installer prompts. It will install the app into your Applications folder by default.
If macOS blocks the app because it’s from an unidentified developer (rare with Microsoft), go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway” near the bottom.
Launch Edge from Applications. The first-run experience will ask if you want to import bookmarks from another browser—you can skip this if you’re just testing.

Each channel installs as a separate app (e.g., “Microsoft Edge Beta”), so you can have multiple versions installed at once.

How to Update Preview Builds

Preview builds update automatically, but you can also check manually. Here’s how:

Open the preview browser (e.g., Edge Beta).
Go to the three-dot menu (⋯) → Help and Feedback → About Microsoft Edge.
The page will check for updates and download them in the background. You’ll need to relaunch the browser to apply.

If you have both Beta and Dev installed, they update independently. Canary updates almost daily, so you’ll see frequent relaunch prompts.

Common Issues and Fixes

Preview builds can be flaky. Here are typical problems and how to resolve them:

App won’t open after install: Try right-clicking the app in Finder → Open. If that fails, delete the app and re-download from the official site, ensuring you chose the correct architecture (Apple Silicon vs Intel).
Profile or data loss: Preview channels use separate profiles, but if you’re testing heavily, crashes can corrupt data. Use a dedicated test profile and don’t rely on it for important work.
Extensions not working: Some extensions may not be compatible with pre-release versions. Check the extension’s developer notes or try a different one.
Battery drain or high CPU: Canary especially can be resource-hungry. Close unused tabs and disable hardware acceleration if it’s causing issues (Settings → System and performance).
Can’t install Canary on Intel Mac: As of 2024, Canary is Apple Silicon only. Use Dev or Beta instead.

Why Use a Preview Build?

For most users, the stable version of Edge is the right choice. But preview builds serve specific purposes:

Testing new features: You get early access to things like vertical tabs, split screen, or AI tools before they hit stable.
Web development: Developers need to test their sites against upcoming browser engines to catch compatibility issues early.
Feedback: Microsoft actively collects telemetry from preview builds to improve the browser. If you want to influence Edge’s direction, using a preview channel helps.

If you’re just curious, the Beta channel is safest. It’s stable enough for daily use but still ahead of the general release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to install Edge preview on my Mac?

Yes, as long as you download from the official Microsoft page. Preview builds are less stable than the stable version, so they might crash or have bugs, but they aren’t more dangerous from a security perspective. Microsoft signs all builds, and macOS Gatekeeper will verify the signature.

Can I run Edge preview alongside the stable version?

Absolutely. Each channel installs as a separate app with its own profile, so they don’t interfere. You can have Stable, Beta, and Dev all installed at once, though they’ll each use disk space and may run background processes.

Will my bookmarks and passwords sync between preview and stable?

Yes, if you sign in with the same Microsoft account. However, be aware that syncing from a preview build might occasionally cause issues if the data format changes. It’s generally safe, but if you’re worried, use a separate profile for testing.

How do I uninstall a preview build?

Simply drag the app from Applications to Trash. If you want to remove all associated data, also delete the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge (or with the channel name, like “Microsoft Edge Beta”). This is optional but frees up space.

Why is Canary not available for Intel Macs?

Microsoft has moved Canary builds to Apple Silicon only, likely to focus development on the newer architecture. Intel Macs still get Beta and Dev, but not the daily Canary. This may change in the future, but as of now, that’s the official policy.

Do I need to pay for preview builds?

No, all Edge channels are free. Microsoft uses preview builds to gather feedback and test features, so they’re offered at no cost.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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