diff --git a/.github/workflows/alpha-macos-aarch64.yml b/.github/workflows/alpha-macos-aarch64.yml
index ad432faec..eadfa2997 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/alpha-macos-aarch64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/alpha-macos-aarch64.yml
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ name: Alpha Channel (macOS arm64)
 # alpha release channel.
 #
 # The alpha channel is macOS-only today. It lives as a rolling GitHub
-# release under the fixed tag `alpha-macos-latest` so the Tauri updater
-# manifest URL stays stable while the underlying artifact gets replaced on
-# every run.
+# release under the fixed tag `alpha-macos-latest` so both the Tauri updater
+# manifest and Electron updater feed stay stable while the underlying
+# artifacts get replaced on every run.
 #
 # See:
 #   - apps/app/src/app/lib/release-channels.ts (updater endpoint URLs)
@@ -306,7 +306,21 @@ jobs:
           uploadUpdaterJson: false
           releaseAssetNamePattern: openwork-desktop-[platform]-[arch][ext]
 
-      - name: Build Electron alpha package
+      - name: Reject unsigned Electron alpha release
+        if: env.MACOS_NOTARIZE != 'true'
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          echo "Electron alpha artifacts must be signed and notarized. Set MACOS_NOTARIZE=true and provide Apple signing secrets." >&2
+          exit 1
+
+      - name: Build Electron alpha app
+        if: env.MACOS_NOTARIZE == 'true'
+        shell: bash
+        env:
+          TARGET: aarch64-apple-darwin
+        run: pnpm --filter @openwork/desktop build:electron
+
+      - name: Package Electron alpha (macOS, signed + notarized)
         if: env.MACOS_NOTARIZE == 'true'
         env:
           CSC_LINK: ${{ secrets.APPLE_CODESIGN_CERT_P12_BASE64 }}
@@ -317,8 +331,11 @@ jobs:
           APPLE_API_KEY_PATH: ${{ env.NOTARY_KEY_PATH }}
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
-          pnpm --filter @openwork/desktop run build:electron
-          pnpm --dir apps/desktop exec electron-builder --config electron-builder.yml --mac --arm64 --publish never
+          pnpm --dir apps/desktop exec electron-builder \
+            --config electron-builder.yml \
+            --mac \
+            --arm64 \
+            --publish never
 
       - name: Upload Electron alpha updater assets
         if: env.MACOS_NOTARIZE == 'true'
diff --git a/apps/app/src/react-app/domains/settings/state/electron-updater-state.ts b/apps/app/src/react-app/domains/settings/state/electron-updater-state.ts
index 30c539119..8fa0e7564 100644
--- a/apps/app/src/react-app/domains/settings/state/electron-updater-state.ts
+++ b/apps/app/src/react-app/domains/settings/state/electron-updater-state.ts
@@ -104,11 +104,16 @@ export function useElectronUpdaterState(options: UseElectronUpdaterStateOptions)
     let cancelled = false;
     void bridge
       .getChannel()
-      .then((state) => {
+      .then(async (state) => {
         if (cancelled) return;
         setAppVersion(state.currentVersion ?? null);
-        if (state.channel && state.channel !== releaseChannel) {
-          onReleaseChannelChange(state.channel);
+        if (state.channel && state.channel !== releaseChannel && bridge.setChannel) {
+          const nextState = await bridge.setChannel(releaseChannel);
+          if (cancelled) return;
+          setAppVersion(nextState.currentVersion ?? null);
+          if (nextState.channel && nextState.channel !== releaseChannel) {
+            onReleaseChannelChange(nextState.channel);
+          }
         }
       })
       .catch(() => {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/electron/updater.mjs b/apps/desktop/electron/updater.mjs
index 509c795b9..143363cf7 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/electron/updater.mjs
+++ b/apps/desktop/electron/updater.mjs
@@ -80,6 +80,8 @@ function updaterChannelState(app, channel) {
 async function applyElectronUpdaterFeed(app, updater) {
   const channel = await readElectronUpdaterChannel(app);
   const state = updaterChannelState(app, channel);
+  updater.allowPrerelease = state.channel === "alpha";
+  updater.channel = state.channel;
   if (updater?.setFeedURL) {
     updater.setFeedURL({ provider: "generic", url: state.feedUrl });
   }