In this clause , we cover the major features of macOS Big Sur , adaptation 11 of the Mac operating organization , as well as answer frequently asked query .
The latest: 11.6.3 update released
Apple has released edition 11.6.3 of macOS Big Sur . You may have leave out it , because macOS ’s Software Update may show the macOS Monterey update instead . If you do see Monterey , search for the section under the Monterey update that state , “ Another update is usable ” and tap the “ More information ” link .
Apple has not supply any information on thesecurity updatesthat are part of 11.6.4 .
How to update macOS Big Sur
Before updating your Mac , it ’s a safe idea to back up your data , just in case the update causes problems .
To put in the update , you need an internet connection . Also , your Mac will need to re-start in ordering to end up the initiation . Here are the steps .
How to get macOS Big Sur
Before you establish the update , you should back up you Mac . This could come in handy in casing you find that the update give your Macs problems and you necessitate to reinstate your datum .
Apple makesmacOS Big Sur usable through the Mac App Store . The download will be several gigabytes in size , and the installation can take quite a while ( an hour or more in some character ) , so practice a authentic internet association and bang that you ’ll not be able to utilize your Mac for anything else other than the installation .
Future distributor point - firing updates are delivered through the macOS software update mechanism . press the Apple bill of fare on the left edge of the card legal profession and selectAbout This Mac . In the Overview section of the window that appear , press theSoftware Updatebutton . Your Mac will check for the update , and once it is found , you could proceed . The installment will take several minutes and requires your Mac to restart . Alternatively , you’re able to also openSystem Preferencesand sink in onSoftware Update .
What Macs are compatible with macOS Big Sur?
What are the new features?
Refined user interface
The drug user interface inconsistencies between Apple ’s Mobile River and desktop operating system are notable , and compared to iOS , macOS look a little date . With Big Sur , Apple at last addresses the macOS UI , implementing the first major change since the going of Mac OS X.
“ astuteness , shading , and translucency are used to make hierarchy , ” said Alan Dye , VP Human Interface , during the WWDC20 keynote . “ These unexampled materials are rich , and they ’re vibrant . ”
The UI in macOS Big Sur feature rework icons , menus , Notification Center , and Widgets .
Apple has changed the icons of the ramp up - in apps so they more closely resemble iOS icons , yet still uphold their “ Mac personality , ” as Apple put it . The Dock , which prominently displays app icons , seems to be adrift on the screen . Toolbars and Sidebars in apps look unobjectionable , and buttons disappear when they are n’t in manipulation .
Menus in macOS Big Sur are semitransparent , and menu bar detail expose more functionality .
Apple also update the carte bar so that it is even more utile . It is now translucent , and bill of fare have a cleaner search and more blank . Apple has also added Control Center to the menu prevention , which operate like the Control Center in iOS . It gives you entree to many system control , such as internet connectivity , show brightness , sound volume , and medicine controls . And , like in iOS , you’re able to customize it with the control you want . If there ’s a Control Center dominance you want to make a lasting part of your menu bar , you could drag it out of the Control Center and on to the menu bar .
The Mac now has Control Center , like the one rule in iOS .
The Notifications menu bar icon is gone in Big Sur . Notification Center can be accessed by cluck on the clip in the menu bar , and you’re able to now snap on Notifications and Widgets in the Center to get more info . Big Sur will also have a drift that display all the Widgets you may add ( including third - political party Widgets ) to the Notification Center .
Apple has refined the organisation sounds , too . They are variations of the phone we are all conversant with in anterior versions , so they are recognizable but fresh .
Messages
subject matter on the Mac has lagged behind the iOS reading in its feature of speech set . Apple changes that in Big Sur , having usedMac Catalystto convert the iOS edition of Messages to a variant that runs on the Mac .
message now has improved search to make it light to discover what you are await for in your content list . Search results are grouped into Conversations with the search full term highlighted , Links ( website URLs ) , and Photos .
Apple has improved search in Messages so it is leisurely to find what you ask .
Apple made a short ton of improvements to the tools you apply to create a content . A redesigned pic selector make it quicker for you to find the photos and video you want to send . Your name and photo or Memoji can be set to automatically share with the someone you ’re communicating with , whether that someone is in your liaison list or not . Speaking of Memoji , Apple will provide a Memoji editor so you may customise your flavor , and the fresh Memoji stickers can be used to graphically transmit a feeling or idea . A new # image feature can serve get hold GIFs and images on the internet .
Other Messages features help organize your conversation . you could pin up to nine conversations at the top of your leaning , and your pin appear on your iPhone and iPad , too . In a mathematical group conversation , you ’ll be capable to reply to a specific message to maintain linguistic context ; you do n’t have to vex about your response being out of the menstruation . And you may arrogate an image to a grouping conversation , which helps it stand out in your listing .
New effects such as confetti and optical maser can help set a tone to a conversation .
Safari
Apple says that Safari in Big Sur has been optimise so that it is even faster than before . The company claims that the new Safari is up to 50 percent faster than Google Chrome .
A new Privacy toolbar button can show web tracker and also exhibit a full privacy study that shows a list of blockers tracker from the past 30 days . you’re able to also add a Privacy Report to your start pageboy .
If you use the web often , you probably use a portion of passwords to lumber into site and services . Safari ’s countersign monitoring confirm whether passwords have been involved in a information severance and render new passwords if necessary .
Safari ’s Privacy Report tells you what trackers can be line up on a website .
Apple also put more nidus on extensions made by third party . Developers can get tools to commute Google Chrome extensions into ones for Safari . Users will be able to peruse extensions in the App Store , with description to tell you about each one , and a chart to permit you do it which ones are popular . And you’re able to designate when an extension works on a website .
As for the user port , Safari ’s start Sir Frederick Handley Page will have more customization selection . Favicons will appear in Thomas Nelson Page tabs , and if you have your pointer over a tab , you’re able to see a trailer of the webpage . Safari will also have puppet so you may translate websites in English , Spanish , Chinese , French , German , Russian , or Brazilian Portuguese .
Safari can be customized with your own wallpaper .
Photos
The Photos app is probably the most used app on the Mac . ( It ’s the app most mass ask about in ourMac 911column . ) So fresh features that make Photos full to use are always a good thing .
Photos in macOS Big Sur will have more editing dick . For photos , there is now a Vibrance force , where you’re able to line up the volume of filters and Portrait Lighting . The Retouch instrument is enhanced with machine learning to make your adjustments look skilful . There are also more tools you’re able to expend on telecasting .
To render more circumstance to your photos and picture , Photos will countenance you tally and edit legend . With the help of iCloud , caption will sync with your iPhone and iPad .
Maps
Apple hope the improvements to Maps will make it more useful for planning trip on the Mac . Apple read that the new interlingual rendition of Maps started with the iOS variant , which was convert to the Mac using Mac Catalyst .
you may last save locations as Favorites . This is one of those features that you’re able to do in on the iPhone and iPad , but could never do on a Mac .
Maps ’ new Guides give you information about locations on display . This could be helpful for traveler , but at launching , guide will be uncommitted only for London , Los Angeles , New York , and San Francisco . More guides are in the works , but in the interim , Maps will allow you create your own guide .
map on the Mac finally has Favorites .
fresh itinerary planning is available for cyclists and electric fomite . Cycling routes show elevations , dealings , and other potential obstacles . Electric vehicle routes help track your car ’s boot and show charge stations . Both types of road can be send from your Mac to an iPhone .
Other Maps features include :
Notes
The Notes app currently lets you immobilise notes so they always appear at the top of your listing . In macOS Big Sur , you ’ll be able-bodied to collapse and spread out the listing of trap government note , which is a nice if you have a lot of them .
If you want to make your notes more functional , the Big Sur variant of annotation will have several text edition flair that you could go for .
The lookup results in Notes will now show Top Hits to help oneself you find what you need .
What is Mac Catalyst?
Introduced in 2019 , Catalyst is used by developer to bring their iOS apps to the Mac . Apple articulate that Catalyst has been updated so that apps can take advantage of the Mac showing ’s native result . developer will also have memory access to new menu and keyboard genus Apis .
Mac Catalyst is a developer ’s peter , but users will benefit from it . If you have an app you wish to use on your iPhone , you could be able to use it on your Mac , too .
What version of macOS is this?
Apple let out that macOS Big Sur is officially version 11 of the operating system . It marks the close of variant 10 , which was introduced on March 24 , 2001 .
When was macOS Big Sur released?
Apple released macOS Big Sur at about 10 am PST on November 12 , 2020 .
