The new Mac operating system is call Big Sur and it arrived on 12 November – but it ’s been updated multiple times since . Here ’s all you involve to know about macOS Big Sur , the latest version , and the problem mass ( admit us ! ) are have with it .
If you are wondering about the name : Big Sur is a mountainous area in California . There is one other thing to say about the name : it ’s not macOS 10.16 as you might have been expect . It ’s macOS 11 . last , after nearly 20 year , Apple has transition from macOS 10 ( aka Mac OS X ) to macOS 11 . This is big !
The latest version of Big Sur is 11.3 . We have more information aboutwhat that version will bringbelow .
If you are n’t running the latest version of Big Sur you should go to System Preferences and pick out the Software Update alternative . For more help , here’show to update the software on a Mac .
We also have a rung up of the possiblefeatures coming in macOS 12 .
Big Sur release date
The first interlingual rendition of macOS Big Sur arrived on Thursday 12 November 2020 .
Before you begin installing read : macOS Big Sur : should you upgrade your Mac ?
And you may findHow to update to Big Sur from Catalinahelpful .
Latest version of Big Sur
The latest interlingual rendition of Big Sur is macOS 11.3.1 which arrived on 3 May 2021 .
macOS 11.3.1
Apple released MacOS Big Sur 11.3.1 on Monday 3 May . The update cover two vulnerability in Webkit ( the fork out locomotive used by Safari ) .
macOS 11.3
The newest interlingual rendition of macOS 11 is macOS 11.3 . The update bring new Safari features , a gang of new emoji , Autoplay for Apple Music so that the music wo n’t cease when the play list does , details about your Mac ’s warrantee in About This Mac , more funding for games controller , and better compatibility with iOS apps on M1 Macs .
macOS 11.3 also close a exposure that was being used by a group of cyber-terrorist to pass around malware . A flaw with Apple ’s usual security system measures built into the macOS meant that apps that were base on scripts and enclosed in a bundle could be run without warning . We have the details of thisdangerous security holein a freestanding clause .
We also have a separate clause if you ’d like to read more about the unexampled characteristic inmacOS Big Sur 11.3 .
macOS 11.2.3
macOS Big Sur 11.2.3 tackled a serious exposure in Webkit , the rendering locomotive engine used by the Safari web web browser . This exposure also affect iPhone , iPad , iPod hint and Apple Watch . Read more here : iPhone & Mac update tackle serious Webkit exposure .
macOS 11.2.2
Apple updated Big Sur on 25 February.macOS Big Sur 11.2.2focused on germ and security system repair including a serious bug with third - company accessory that in the worst cases could damage new models of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air .
macOS 11.2.1 (two different builds)
There were a few problems with macOS 11.2 which lead Apple to quickly issue a Big Sur 11.2.1 update on 9 February . TheBig Sur 11.2.1 updatefixed aproblem where 2016 and 2017 MacBook Promodels were failing to charge past 1 % . It alsoprovided some of import surety patches – include one for aserious vulnerabilty in Sudo .
A second version of the 2.1 update ( work up 20D75 ) was released a workweek later on 15 February andaddressed a macOS facility issuewhere the installer would run out to check whether enough blank space was useable before add the operating system update – which would then die hard out of space before finishing leaving the Mac exploiter with no pick but to reinstall macOS Big Sur as aclean install .
macOS 11.2
macOS 11.2 take a numeral of change include fixing Apple ’s firewall electrical shunt and stop people installing iOS apps on M1 Macs if the developer has n’t approved it .
The first change mean that Apple program canno long bypass firewallssuch as Little Snitch and VPNs . For more information read : Apple ’s own programs ring road firewalls and VPNs in Big Sur . Apple has remove a whitelist for some of its own processes and programs that mean that dealings from these always work straight to the internet .
There is also a variety in DRM protection to stop the initiation of apps that have not been O.K. by the developer of that weapons platform . It was previously possible , via a workaround , to install any iOS apps on M1 Macs . Now an error substance will appear designate that “ This software can not be set up because the developer did not intend for it to run on this platform . ” For more information read : Apple has banned ‘ sideloading ’ of iOS apps on M1 Macs .
For extra information read : macOS 11.2 .
macOS 11.1
The focussing in 11.1 is mostly hemipterous insect and security measures fixture , but there are a few other newfangled features include :
For those with an M1 Mac a new option enables iPhone and iPad apps to switch from portrayal to landscape preference and expand a windowpane to replete the entire screen .
The iOS 14.3 update brought the ProRAW format to the iPhone 12 Pro and Max models and the Big Sur update means you may edit these images on your Mac .
Here are some of the other features in 11.1 :
For more information read : What are the lineament in macOS 11.1 .
macOS 11.0.1
This is the version that Apple shipped out on 12 November . The update included a identification number of security system reparation .
The surety fix accost the following issue :
It ’s a scary list for the first version of the package and a good reason to update direct forth ! understand the full run down of the changes onApple ’s website .
A few day later on on 19 November the company cut a revised version of this 11.0.1 update with frame number 20B50 .
Latest beta version of Big Sur
Apple runs a genus Beta program for Big Sur , so registered developer and other beta testers can try the coming new features and hemipteran mess amount in the next verison . Thanks to the beta program we can get an insight into the new features and other changes arrive in the next verison update .
If you require to get involved with testing the new version you may sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program . In addition to new versions of macOS , you’re able to also test upcoming versions of iOS , iPad OS , TV OS and Watch OS .
If you want to start try out the next update to Big Sur you cansign up for the Apple Beta Software Program . Read : How to get macOS betafor more data .
Problems downloading/installing Big Sur
Big Sur was perhaps one of the most problematic macOS updates of late year . Not only did we encounter problems with the download , the installation was a huge problem becauseBig Sur wanted 35 GB of complimentary spaceto install . We ’re also hearing thatBig Sur is bricking some 2013 - 2014 MacBook Pro models .
There has also been an issue where the installer was n’t check that there was sufficient space on the Mac prior to installing the update – leading that Mac to run out of storage before the update was completed . Apple has supply a kettle of fish for this problem in Big Sur 11.2.1 ( build 20D75 ) so we propose that is installed . Otherwise a user may need to do a light install and could gamble losing data .
If you were one of the early downloaders you will have find oneself that the download was incredibly slow . It turns out that Apple ’s servers went down on the day it was released .
Those are just a few of the many issues . If you have any problem installing Big Sur readFixes for Macs that wo n’t update macOS .
Problems with Big Sur
In Big Sur Apple ’s own computer programme are bypassing VPNs and firewalls , which could place risks to both security department and privacy . take about it here : Apple ’s own programs ring road firewall and VPNs in Big Sur .
A researcher has exact unencrypted logs are being sent to Apple ’s servers containing identifying datum . More data here : Macs ‘ call home ’ unencrypted to notarise apps . Another criticism is that firewalls like Little Snitch and Lulu can not filter traffic from some of Apple ’s own program because Apple has white listed them .
likewise , some VPN programme could n’t capture the dealings of Apple processes .
All the above offspring were addressed in macOS version 11.2 .
A serious bug with third - party accessories that in the worst cases could damage newer models of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air was addressed in macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 .
Further issues include :
Bootable Backups : Another exit touch some M1 Mac users who have update to Big Sur 11.2 means that they can not use a bootable backup . Apparently booting from a Big Sur 11.1 volume is no longer possible after an update to 11.2 . This issue is affecting software from Super Duper and Carbon Copy Cloner , as the manufacturer of Super Duper hasdetailed . Super Duper have to use an older variation of the macOS . Carbon Copy Cloner users presently have no solution for M1 Macs available .
SoftRAID : Users of SoftRAID are also encountering problems with Big Sur . SoftRAID users running macOS 11.2 on an M1 Mac can no longer make a back up .
Screensaver : M1 MacBook Pros users are kick about a Fast User Switching microbe that results in them being ineffective to end the screensaver .
Apple News : An issue with Apple News has been describe that is seeing extremely large background downloads for some user . To find out if this is happening to you check in Activity Monitor and look to see if there is an app process app process called newsd . you’re able to desexualise this problem by turning off News in iCloud sync .
Which Macs run Big Sur?
These Macs will be capable to run Big Tyre :
However , take note those reports that 2013 - 2014 MacBook Pro ’s are being bricked by Big Sur , as remark above . Also remember that you will require about 35 GB free blank once you have download the 12.2 GB Big Sur before you could even install it , also mentioned above .
There were more Macs corroborate by macOS Catalina . In 2019 the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from mid-2012 , Mac miniskirt from tardy 2012 and the 2012 iMac were also supported .
Read more about theMacs that can run Big Sur here . We also explainHow to set up macOS Big Sur on an sometime Mac .
What’s new in macOS Big Sur?
As we explained above , Apple regard Big Sur a big enough update that it has in conclusion moved from macOS 10 to macOS 11 . However , if you are expect a completely young operating system of rules then you will probably be disappointed . Sure Apple ’s give the picture and apps a bit of a makeover , but in general there is n’t anything that is dramatically different … unless you look behind the scene .
As we explain in our clause about Apple ’s determination toditch Intel and startle using its own mainframe inside Macs – known as Apple Silicone or the M1 – this version of macOS is the first reading that can run on thenew Apple Silicon Macs(sometimes described as ARM Macs ) . One of the biggest impingement of this transition will be that you will be capable to run iOS apps on succeeding Macs that habituate these new Apple Silicon chips .
Find out more about the changes in Big Sur and how it compares to Catalina here : macOS Big Sur vs Catalina : Will it be deserving the upgrade ?
Update January 2021 : Apple is alreadytesting macOS 12 , the heir to Big Sur .
Design & Interface Changes in Big Sur
Big Sur is , according to Apple , “ The magnanimous design upgrade since the introduction of Mac OS X ” . That strikes us as a swelled claim , yield the change that hail with OS X Yosemite in 2014 , when the original Aqua user interface took on a flatter , more forward-looking feel . We ’re sceptical that this is thebiggestdesign change – perhaps Apple has a brusk memory .
Apple says that design elements should seem intimate and similar to Io , which was the overall message of the transition in 2014 – itself based on change that had played out in iOS 7 . In the 2020 WWDC presentation , Apple showed off the icon representing the apps ( as seen in the Dock ) , indicating that they have have been redesigned ( where appropriate ) to be more consistent with the icons seen on the other Apple mathematical product . But just in case you call back that Apple has changed your beloved icons too much , reverence not , the caller says they will retain their “ Mac personality ” .
disregardless of how full-grown a change it is , the new design is designate to make navigation easier and it brings with it many of the control condition that iOS and iPadOS drug user will be intimate with , include a Modern Control Centre , change to Notification Centre , and changes to app interfaces ; which we will look at in more item next .
Since the arrival of the genus Beta , we have learned of a change coming that will feign Dark Mode . There will be a new context to turn off the behaviour where windows have color from the background knowledge strike through . This should think of Dark Mode is n’t brighten by the other apps you are run .
Apps
The changes do n’t turn back with the picture in the dock , you ’ll also find full - peak sidebar and changes to the toolbar in apps , which Apple say gives apps a blank smell .
Dock
App icons adopt a more undifferentiated form , along with greater consistency against their Io and iPad counterparts .
Control Centre for Mac
This was actually one of our most hope changes for macOS . The Control Centre make water it super prosperous to control our iPhones and iPads , and bringing standardised functionality to the Mac is unquestionably welcome .
You ’re able to customise Control Centre – which lives in the bill of fare bar – and take advantage of spry entree to democratic controller , such as Wi - Fi and Bluetooth circumstance , music playback , access to Dark Mode and more .
Here ’s what you ask to have intercourse aboutusing Control Centre on the Mac .
Notification Center
Notification Centre has also get some care . It brings more synergistic presentment and redesigned widgets . You ’re able to see all your notifications and widgets together , with Notifications grouped by app and many interactive . In theory , you could now playact a podcast episode directly from the Notification Centre itself .
thingmabob are also useable in a alternative of three sizes so you’re able to pick the one that suit you . Read to expend widgets on the Mac here .
New & Updated Apps In Big Sur
As usual , Apple is taking this operating organisation rise as an opportunity to update its aboriginal Mac apps .
In recent year Apple has been strike apps over to the Mac from iPadOS using Catalyst ; its solidification of framework that makes transitioning apps easier . Thanks to Catalyst , in Catalina we make headway Music , Podcasts and TV apps . This prison term Safari , Messages and Maps have all incur the Catalyst treatment . We ’ll run through each below .
Safari
It ’s not just the user interface that ’s undergone a adult redesign . Apple says Safari has received its magnanimous update since the web internet browser launched , back in 2003 .
This refresh is n’t just about plan , though . Safari is already riotous , and according to Apple it ’s now 1.9x more antiphonal , running on Apple Silicon - powered Macs . The caller take that Safari freight frequently visited situation an average of 50 percent quicker than Chrome .
There are a number of pattern change gracing this novel Safari , but perhaps one of the biggest is the ability to tailor-make your start pageboy . You ’re able to choose a background image ( which can be your own photograph ) and tally sections like Reading List , Favourites , iCloud Tabs and Siri Suggestions , so they can be well access .
Tabs have also been redesign , you ’re able-bodied to see more tabs onscreen and they now display favicons by default option . But to make it easy to identify open tab you ’re also able to see a straightaway preview of a page by simply hovering over the yellow journalism . One of our Wishlist asking was that Pinned Tabs would get their own bar as ours take up so much room that we do n’t have enough space for tabs . What Apple has implemented seems to be a more infinite - effective design .
Safari ’s ability to interpret total webpages into your own language ( from seven speech communication ) – should make navigate the web much easy , if you oftentimes determine yourself on webpages in other languages . We love that it ’s no longer necessary to pop over to Google Translate to line up out what a page says . Apple says you ’re capable to press the translate choice to see it in your own language – and it translate in real - time – even if text on the page is updated . understand about how to translate webpages here .
Big Sur also brings 4 K YouTube to the Mac ( as long as you use Safari ) . Previously , Apple did n’t bear vp9 , the video recording codec Google uses for 4 K video – but it appears to have had a alteration of heart .
extension have also received some attention in Big Sur and get their own department in the Mac App Store .
With privacy and security in mind , users are able to choose when and which websites a Safari annexe can work with , too .
Continuing the seclusion theme you ’re able to see a Privacy Report for each web site you travel to , alongside a new weekly Privacy Report on your start pageboy that show what Safari has been protecting you from while you ’ve been browse .
One other privateness - first feature of speech is a new data breach password monitoring utility that should ensure your countersign information is never expose – and if it is , Apple lets you live and help to update them with you .
Messages
substance is one of the latest apps to be ported from iOS to the Mac thanks to Mac Catalyst – the prick Apple introduced back in 2019 to make it easier to bring iPad apps to the Mac . As a consequence , Messages on macOS finally gets the full set of iOS features to compliment the iOS 14 / iPad OS 14 version . Those novel features let in :
There are lots more features coming to Messages , and of path the existing features – like being capable to add fun elements such as balloon and confetti to text – endure too .
Maps
Apple ’s Maps app has also received the Catalyst intervention , so it should be more iOS - like when you utilise it on Big Sur .
This means that Maps on the Mac make the new Maps features found in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 ; including the arrival of the new - style Maps to the UK , which itself includes feature like a 360 - academic degree view of a destination with Look Around .
single-valued function has a focus on “ help you get there in a way that ’s better for the planet ” , so expect to see cycling steering , routing to help you get to somewhere to commit your electrical fomite and more in that vein .
You ’ll also find pathfinder from both trusted resources generated by other users . Apple articulate you could create customs guide of your favourite restaurants , parks and vacation spots , which can then be shared with friends and family .
You ’re also capable to browse elaborated indoor maps of major drome and shopping kernel .
Security & Privacy Features
Apple says that it was inspired by the contraption and readability of food alimentation labels to produce a newfangled way of indicating what information is required by Mac App Store apps . For example , you ’re able to see if an app collects custom data , contact information , or locating information and whether it partake in it with third parties . This help users understand the privateness practices of apps before downloading them , say Apple .
