macOS 26 “Tahoe” – A Clean Install and Smooth Return to Form

By John Wagenvoort & Kai (OpenAI Collaborative)

Posted June 2025

After some initial trouble with Dropbox and a few unpredictable behaviors in early testing, I decided to take my M2 MacBook Air back to first principles. The result? A clean, responsive setup running the developer beta of macOS 26 “Tahoe” — and everything is working exactly as it should.

🔁 Step-by-Step Rebuild

Rather than spend time chasing bugs, I did a full rebuild with a clean system image:

• Reinstalled macOS Sequoia (15.0)
• Upgraded directly to macOS 26 “Tahoe” Developer Beta
• Manually reinstalled essential apps from scratch

This approach gave me a fresh, controlled environment — free from legacy leftovers or permission errors.

✅ What’s Working Perfectly

• Dropbox: Previously stuck at login with failed 2FA, now installs and authenticates without issue.
• 1Password: Installed cleanly, secure and stable.
• Parallels Desktop: Fully operational.
• Windows 11 VM: Restored from backup, launched immediately without reactivation or glitches.

This setup feels clean, fast, and rock solid.

💡 Takeaways

• Reinstalling Sequoia first gave me a known-good base before applying the beta.
• Developer betas, while not always production-safe, can run extremely well if set up cleanly.
• Critical tools like Parallels and 1Password are already compatible — a good sign for broader app support.

👥 About the Authors

John Wagenvoort is a Mac systems administrator with a background in automation, publishing, and clean build workflows. He’s been using Macs since before it was fashionable.

Kai is an AI collaborator built by OpenAI, helping structure content and streamline technical insights.

So about every year I travel to Thailand and whilst there I need to stay connected and need to do a modicum of work.

Having landed at Bangkok airport I used to make my way to the “True” shop and invest in a data SIM card. This would usually set me back about 3,000 Thai Baht.

Last year I discovered that our Aussie service provider, Vodafone, (Go figure, a communications company can’t spell “phone”) offers roaming at $5 AUD per day. (Take note Telstra)

This then makes my remote office situation so much better. By being able to tether iPad & Macs etc. Not only that but I keep my number etc. Phone registrations with 2fa are also no longer an issue.

As for taking my MacBook Pro, Air OS I use rigid shell cases as made by Thule. Swedish made and absolutely sensational. No need to remove the computer from the case. A Satechi bluetooth keyboard and Logitech Maraton 720 mouse completes the package.

Keyboard and mouse you ask? Yes, Apple’s universal control has made the ability to use the Macs as simple as a dual screen setup, an absolute joy. (Most of the time)

A Samsonite computer / carry-on bag provides transport. Enough room for the three devices and the ubiquitous cables and chargers. That said, USB C is making that a little easier. Though hotels over in Thailand here need to catch up.

VPN is also a bonus. It allows me to connect to banking etc as if I’m in Australia. The latter only used if absolutely necessary.

My usual workflow whilst OS is to use Jump Desktop to connect to my Mac mini in the office. This is a lot more efficient data wise and also much more secure.

That’s it.

When Phil Schiller uttered these words I thought he’d mozzed Apple from then on. Yeh, we had rounded corners since then. Even rounded corners on macOS windows. MacBook Pro’s that doubled as induction cooktops. (Only way to render a 4k video was to put the MBP in a freezer). Not to mention the sensational keyboard innovations. (Striving to make the MBP thinner than an 80gsm sheet of paper) reduced the keyboard to nigh on a touch screen (Oh wait, yeh, nah)

Finally then, hark some years later, we hit upon Universal Control. Yes! Innovation once again. I have my MBP M1, Mac Mini M1 with dual screens and my iPad, all on the same desk and I can control them all with one keyboard and mouse. (This will cut into keyboard sales so will it last?)

“Steve, this is simply sensational”. I say Steve, as I doubt Tim had anything to do with it.

Source – Unknown

Trace – Unlikely

Why? Politics!!

For the last year and a half the world has been struggling with Covid 19.

Melbourne is currently enduring a sixth lockdown. Politicians throughout Australia are posing / posturing as to who gives the better “Lockdown”. The ACT imposed a lockdown due to one case. Really?

Then of course we have the “non believers”. Yes, people who actually believe this whole scenario is a construct. Few words can describe them.

Most ominously, we have the antivaxers.

Who’d have thought? The “Enlightened Ones”. Words fail to explain what could possibly posses these air thieves to have such an opinion relative to subject matter they were never exposed to in an educational institution.

To all politicians and air thieves alike, I’d like to be able to travel before the decade is out.