What's new in the updates for macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur updates improve the stability, performance and compatibility of your Mac and are recommended for all macOS Big Sur users.

How to get these updates

About the security content of these updates

What's new for enterprise in these updates?

macOS Big Sur 11.7.10

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.9

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.8

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.7

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.6

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.5

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.4

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.3

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.2

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.1

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.7

This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.8

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.7

macOS Big Sur 11.6.7 fixes an issue where Mail and other apps, such as Microsoft Outlook, can't open attachments if the app required to open the file is already running.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.6

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.5

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.4

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.3

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.2

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6.1

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.6

This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

macOS Big Sur 11.5.2

macOS Big Sur 11.5.2 includes bug fixes for your Mac.

macOS Big Sur 11.5.1

macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.5

macOS Big Sur 11.5 includes the following improvements for your Mac:

• Podcasts Library tab allows you to choose to see all shows or only followed shows

This release also fixes the following issues:

• Music may not update play count and last-played date in your library

• Smart cards may not work when logging in to Mac computers with the M1 chip

macOS Big Sur 11.4

macOS Big Sur 11.4 adds Apple Podcasts subscriptions and channels and includes important bug fixes.

Podcasts

• Apple Podcasts subscriptions are available for purchase through monthly and annual subscriptions

• Channels group together collections of shows from podcast creators

This release also fixes the following issues:

• Bookmarks in Safari may get reordered or moved into a folder that can appear hidden

• Certain websites may not display correctly after your Mac wakes from sleep

• Keywords may not be included when exporting a photo from the Photos app

• Preview may become unresponsive when searching PDF documents

• 16-inch MacBook may become unresponsive when playing Civilization VI

macOS Big Sur 11.3.1

macOS Big Sur 11.3.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.3

macOS Big Sur 11.3adds support for AirTag, includes iPhone and iPad app improvements for Macs with M1, introduces separate skin tone variations for emojis with couples and adds more diverse voice options for Siri.

AirTag and Find My

• Support for AirTag to keep track of and find important items such as your keys, wallet, backpack and more, privately and securely in the Find My app

• The Find My network with hundreds of millions of devices can help you find your AirTag, even when it isn’t nearby

• Lost Mode notifies you when your AirTag has been found, and you can enter a phone number where you can be contacted

iPhone and iPad apps on Macs with M1

• Option to change an iPhone and iPad app's window size

• Support for displaying the highest resolution version of an iPhone or iPad app in full screen

• Keyboard support for iPhone and iPad games designed to use device tilt

• Keyboard, mouse and trackpad support for iPhone and iPad games that support game controllers

Emoji

• Support for separate skin tones for each individual in all variations of the couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji

• New face emojis, heart emojis, woman with a beard emoji

Siri

• Siri now includes more diverse voice options

Apple Music

• Autoplay keeps music playing by automatically playing a similar song once you've reached the end of a song or playlist

• City charts showcase what's popular in over 100 cities all over the world

Podcasts

• Podcasts Show Pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening

• Option to save and download episodes, adding them automatically to your Library for quick access

• Download behaviour and notification settings can be customised on a show-by-show basis

• Top Charts and popular categories in Search help you discover new shows

News

• Redesigned News+ feed enables Apple News+ subscribers to quickly find, download and manage magazine and newspaper issues

• All-new Search experience that helps you find relevant topics, channels and stories

Safari

• Start Page section order can now be customised

• Additional WebExtensions API lets developers offer extensions that replace the new tab page

• Web Speech API lets developers incorporate speech recognition into their web pages for real-time captioning, dictation and voice navigation

• WebM and Vorbis video and audio format support

Reminders

• Ability to sort Today Smart list

• Support for syncing the order of reminders in lists across your devices

• Option to print your reminder lists

Gaming

• Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller or Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller support

Mac computers with the M1 chip

• Hibernation support

About This Mac

• About This Mac displays Apple warranty status and AppleCare+ coverage in the Service tab when signed in with Apple ID

• Support for purchasing and enrolling in AppleCare+ for eligible Mac computers from About This Mac

This release also fixes the following issues:

• Reminders created via Siri may be unintentionally set for early morning hours

• iCloud Keychain may not turn off

• AirPods audio routing to incorrect device for Automatic Switching

• AirPods Automatic Switching notifications may be missing or duplicated

• External 4K monitors may not display in full resolution when connected over USB-C

• Login window may not be displayed properly after restarting Mac mini (M1, 2020)

• The Dwell feature may not work in the Accessibility Keyboard

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices, and require an Apple ID.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.3

macOS Big Sur 11.2.3 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.2

macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.1

macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 addresses an issue that may prevent the battery from charging on some 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models.

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.

macOS Big Sur 11.2

macOS Big Sur 11.2 improves Bluetooth reliability and fixes the following issues:

• External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI-to-DVI converter

• Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not be saved

• iCloud Drive may turn off after disabling the iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Folders option

• System Preferences may not unlock when entering your administrator password

• Globe key may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.

macOS Big Sur 11.1

macOS Big Sur 11.1 introduces support for AirPods Max, TV app enhancements, Apple News widgets and privacy information in the App Store. This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac.

AirPods Max

• Support for AirPods Max, new over-ear headphones

• High-fidelity audio for rich sound

• Adaptive EQ adapts sound in real time to the personal fit of ear cushions

• Active Noise Cancellation to block out environmental noise

• Transparency mode to hear the environment around you

Apple TV

• An all-new Apple TV+ tab makes it easy to discover and watch Apple Original programmes and films

• Enhanced search so you can browse by category such as genre, and see recent searches and suggestions as you type

• Top search results shown with the most relevant matches across films, TV programmes, cast, channels and sports

Apple News

• Apple News widgets are now available in Notification Centre

App Store

• New privacy information section on App Store pages that includes a developer-reported summary of the app’s privacy practices

• In-game dashboard within Arcade games recommends new Arcade games to play

iPhone and iPad apps on Macs with M1

• New window options for iPhone and iPad apps let you switch between landscape and portrait orientations or expand a window to fill the entire screen

Photos

• Apple ProRAW photos can be edited in the Photos app

Safari

• Ecosia search engine option in Safari

Air Quality

• Available in Maps and Siri for locations in China mainland

• Health recommendations are provided in Siri for the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India and Mexico at certain air-quality levels

• Data in Maps and Siri reflects updated national scales for Germany and Mexico

This release also addresses the following issues:

• QuickTime Player may quit when opening a film with a timecode track after upgrading from macOS Catalina

• Bluetooth connection status was not displayed in Control Centre

• Reliability of unlocking your Mac automatically with your Apple Watch

• Trackpad scrolling speed may be faster than expected on MacBook Pro models

• LG UltraFine 5K Display may be displayed incorrectly at 4K resolution on Macs with M1

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.

macOS Big Sur 11.0.1

Design

• New design for apps makes it easier to focus on your content and take action with space-efficient toolbars and full-height sidebars

• Updated menu bar features wider spacing and a new translucent material that becomes more vibrant when you interact with it

• Refreshed system sounds include the boot chime and sounds for transferring files, moving items to the Bin, locking files and more

Control Centre

• Control Centre puts your favourite menus and controls in one handy place in the menu bar so you can adjust settings quickly as you work

• Additional controls appear when you click to expand Control Centre menus

• Support for pinning favourite menus from Control Centre to the menu bar

Notification Centre

• Updated Notification Centre brings notifications and widgets together in one view

• Interactive notifications display additional information and actions when you expand them

• Beautiful, new data-rich widgets for Calendar, Clock, Notes, Photos, Podcasts, Reminders, Screen Time, Stocks and Weather

• Edit view lets you add new widgets and customise their size

• Support for widgets from third-party apps

Safari

• World’s fastest desktop browser with industry-leading performance and energy efficiency*

• New customisable start page lets you set a background image and decide what appears, including Reading List, iCloud Tabs, Privacy Report and more

• Expanded extensions support and new dedicated category in the App Store for discovering new extensions

• New tab design featuring favicons in tabs and website previews that appear when you hover over a tab

• Translation (beta) for English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Russian or Brazilian Portuguese (US English and Canadian English only)

• Privacy Report gives you visibility into how Safari keeps your browsing your business with an overview of trackers blocked by Intelligent Tracking Prevention

• Safari password monitoring securely screens saved passwords for any that may have been involved in a data breach

• Safari privacy prompts for extensions let you choose when a website can work with an extension

Messages

• Pinned conversations keep up to nine of your favourite threads at the top of the list

• Mentions let you direct a message to an individual in a group conversation

• Inline replies let you reply to a specific message earlier in the conversation

• Message effects for balloons, confetti, lasers and more

• #images helps you find and add trending GIFs to messages

• Memoji makes it simple to create a personalised character and send stickers that match your mood and personality

Maps

• Guides offer recommendations for places to go and things to do, curated by a selection of trusted brands

• Look Around to explore cities in a high-resolution, interactive 3D experience

• Indoor maps for major airports and shopping centres

• Cycling directions help you find bike-friendly routes to your destination

• Electric vehicle routing helps you plan trips for supported vehicles that you add on iPhone

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.