Patches security vulnerabilities in Big Sur and Catalina. (Free, various sizes, macOS 11 and 10.15)
Apple has updated macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS to fix two active vulnerabilities, one of which let attackers work around Apple’s BlastDoor protections.
Apple has released macOS 11.5.2 but isn’t saying what’s in it or what it does.
Apple has completed its latest cycle of operating system updates with the release of iPadOS 14.7 and macOS 11.5. Along with them come security notes for all recent releases. Apple later followed with iOS 14.7.1, iPadOS 14.7.1, and macOS 11.5.1 to address a serious security vulnerability that's being actively exploited in the wild.
Apple has issued updates to iOS and iPadOS to fix the App Tracking Transparency, and updates for Big Sur and watchOS—and iOS 12—to fix a WebKit vulnerability.
Apple has once again released updates to all its core operating systems with a slew of shared features (Siri! Reminders!) and fixes (including worrying security vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited) and product-specific improvements (Apple Watch fallback authentication for mask-drive Face ID failures).
Should you upgrade to macOS 11 Big Sur from a previous version of macOS? Only you can answer that question for sure, but Adam Engst has upgraded his primary Mac with no significant problems. Our recommendation is that it should now be safe to upgrade, though you might want to wait for macOS 11.3, due soon.
Apple has updated most of its major operating systems to address what would seem to be a severe WebKit vulnerability.
Some third-party, non-compliant, powered USB-C hubs and docks are bricking recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. Apple has updated Big Sur to prevent the problem; the question is if Macs running Catalina or Mojave might still be at risk.
macOS 11 Big Sur has thrown a cryptographically signed monkey wrench into the inner workings of backup apps that make bootable duplicates. There are now workarounds, and Apple promises to fix the necessary underlying tool, but Adam Engst suggests that we need to rethink the role bootable duplicates play in a modern backup strategy.
If you initiate an upgrade to Big Sur from a previous version of macOS but don’t have sufficient free space—at least 35.5 GB—you could end up in a Boot Recovery Assistant loop that can be exceedingly difficult to escape. Never update macOS without enough space or a current backup!
Apple has released macOS 11.2 Big Sur to stamp out a handful of miscellaneous bugs and close numerous security holes.
In yet another feature-focused update to Apple’s entire stable of operating systems, the company introduced support for various new products and promised technologies, including Apple Fitness+, the AirPods Max, the Apple ProRAW image format, and more.
macOS Big Sur has been out for only a short time, but Apple is already pushing it on users by badging the System Preferences Dock icon and displaying a Big Sur-only update to GarageBand. Adam Engst shares a few workarounds that can reduce the annoyance.
Apple has released macOS 11 Big Sur, but we advise delaying upgrades to production Macs thanks to significant behind-the-scenes changes.