macOS 11 Big Sur is an operating system that was designed and developed by Apple in 2020 alongside Apple’s personal computers. The system has been released on November 12, 2020, and is available as a Free Update, or is preinstalled on currently sold computers. This software gets the latest update (11.7.3) on January 23, 2023.
macOS Big Sur Features
macOS 11 Big Sur is the first version of macOS dedicated to Macs powered by Apple-designed ARM processors. Apple announced the first Mac Apple silicon chip, the Apple M1, in the Mac mini 2020, MacBook Air 13-inch 2020, and MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020. Of course, Apple will support Intel-based Macs in the coming years, and Big Sur is also available as an update for them. Unfortunately, various Macs released in 2012 and 2013 are no longer supported by the latest OS.
The biggest change in the latest version of the system is the design of the user interface. Its changes include translucency in various places and a new color palette.
All standard apps, as well as the Dock and the Menu Bar, are redesigned and streamlined, and their icons now have rounded-square shapes like iOS and iPadOS apps. Compared to iOS, Big Sur’s icons include more shading and highlights to give a three-dimensional appearance. System sounds are redone as well.
The new OS also brings further integration with Apple’s SF Symbols, enabling easier use by third-party developers as UI elements for their applications through AppKit, SwiftUI, and Catalyst, which makes it possible to unify third-party applications with the existing Apple-made design language.
An interface with quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen brightness and system volume has been added to the menu bar. This interface is functionally and visually similar to Control Center on iOS and iPadOS.
The Notification Center is redesigned, featuring interactive notifications and a transparent user interface. Notification Center also features a new widget system similar to that in iOS 14, displaying more information with more customization than previously available.
On Macs based on Apple Silicon, macOS Big Sur will run iOS and iPadOS applications natively and without any modifications needed from developers. The first Macs that will be able to run iOS apps are the MacBook Air M1 2020, Mac Mini M1 2020, and MacBook Pro M1 2020.
Today macOS 11 Big Sur is 3 years old!
macOS 11 Big Sur – General information
| Released | November 12, 2020 |
| Original Price | Free |
| System Requirements | iMac Mid 2014 or newer iMac Pro 2017 MacBook Early 2015 or newer MacBook Pro Late 2013 or newer MacBook Air Mid 2013 or newer Mac mini Late 2013 or newer Mac Pro Late 2013 or newer 4 GB of memory 35.5 – 44.5 GB of available disk space OS X 10.9 or later |
| Distribution | Mac App Store Software Update |
Versions
| Versions | Build | Release Date |
| macOS 11.0 | 20A2411 | November 17, 2020* |
| macOS 11.0.1 | 20B29 20B50 | November 12, 2020 |
| macOS 11.1 | 20C69 | December 14, 2020 |
| macOS 11.2 | 20D64 | February 1, 2021 |
| macOS 11.2.1 | 20D74 20D75 | February 9, 2021 |
| macOS 11.2.2 | 20D80 | February 25, 2021 |
| macOS 11.2.3 | 20D81 | March 8, 2021 |
| macOS 11.3 | 20E232 | April 26, 2021 |
| macOS 11.3.1 | 20E241 | May 3, 2021 |
| macOS 11.4 | 20F71 | May 24, 2021 |
| macOS 11.5 | 20G71 | July 21, 2021 |
| macOS 11.5.1 | 20G80 | July 21, 2021 |
| macOS 11.5.2 | 20G95 | August 11, 2021 |
| macOS 11.6 | 20G165 | September 13, 2021 |
| macOS 11.6.1 | 20G224 | October 25, 2021 |
| macOS 11.6.2 | 20G314 | December 13, 2021 |
| macOS 11.6.3 | 20G415 | January 26, 2022 |
| macOS 11.6.4 | 20G417 | February 14, 2022 |
| macOS 11.6.5 | 20G527 | March 14, 2022 |
| macOS 11.6.6 | 20G624 | May 16, 2022 |
| macOS 11.6.7 | 20G630 | June 9, 2022 |
| macOS 11.6.8 | 20G730 | July 20, 2022 |
| macOS 11.7 | 20G817 | September 12, 2022 |
| macOS 11.7.1 | 20G918 | October 24, 2022 |
| macOS 11.7.2 | 20G1020 | December 13, 2022 |
| macOS 11.7.3 | 20G1116 | January 23, 2023 |