11 Years Mac OS
A new macOS that welcomes the arrival of Apple Silicon and offers better integration with mobile platforms, along with fresh visuals and a host of other features
While OS X/macOS has been around now for 17 years, it's not showing any age. It's worth noting that the two eras before it were much shorter. System 1 - System 6 lasted 7 years, and System 7 - Mac OS 9 lasted 10 years. It should also be noted that System 7 was a much minor update than OS X was. To view each Mac released from 1984 to the present on a dynamic, interactive timeline, you also may find EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Timeline useful. For iPod, iPhone and iPad models, Everyi.com offers a separate By Year section as well as the Ultimate iTimeline. If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it.
What's new in macOS Big Sur 11.3 Build 20E232:
- macOS Big Sur 11.3 adds support for AirTag, includes iPhone and iPad app improvements for Macs with M1, introduces separate skin tone variations for emoji with couples, and adds more diverse voice options for Siri.
- AirTag and Find My:
Big Sur represents a major redesign of Apple's macOS, appropriately marked by the first major version number change in 20 years; yes, we're finally on macOS 11.0.
This update coincides with the release of Apple's very first in-house ARM-based SoC for Macs, and we can see why. Big Sur was designed with these new chips in mind, and it provides further integration with iOS and iPadOS.
Visual redesign
While changes are made with each major macOS release, Big Sur stands out. Apple uses a whole new color palette for 11.0, and they've added full-height sidebars, refreshed toolbars, and rounded-square icon designs that bring some consistency to macOS and across Apple's ecosystem.
One can't help but notice that the new icons look very similar to the ones on iOS and iPadOS, and that's obviously intended. Along with native support for iOS and iPadOS apps on Apple Silicon-powered Macs, it's clear that the company is looking to bridge the gap between these systems and get closer to a unified platform.
New Control Center and Notification Center
The similarities to Apple's mobile OSes continue. You will now have access to a handy set of controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, music controls, etc. — all from a Control Center that looks almost identical to the ones on iOS and iPadOS.
The renewed Notification Center is a similar story. It now combines notifications and widgets, just like on the mobile platforms, and it looks very similar as well. You can now access it by just clicking the date in the menu bar.
Support for Apple Silicon Macs
The timing of the M1 announcement wasn't an accident, as these chips will only run on the new macOS. While the capabilities of Apple Silicon have yet to be put to the test, it certainly looks like Intel's CPUs have been holding Apple back in multiple regards.
Naturally, all built-in Mac apps will support these new processors, with developers expected to roll out universal binaries that support both architectures. Many have already done so, and Rosetta 2 will allow users to run apps that haven't yet been ported.
Run iOS and iPadOS apps natively on macOS
For many people, this will be the most exciting feature of the new OS. You will now be able to run any mobile app on Big Sur natively, provided your device is powered by one of Apple's ARM-based chips. For now, that includes the 2020 M1 MacBook Air and Pro, and the M1 Mac Mini.
Again, this change signals Apple's desire to unify its app platforms. However, while the company intends to make all iOS and iPadOS apps available for Mac users, developers are allowed to opt out if they wish. Among those not offering their mobile apps for Macs: Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
Major Safari update
Big Sur introduces some significant changes to the default browser, including a customizable start page, improved tab design, and instant page translations between several common languages.
Safari has always been one of the better choices for privacy-minded users, and the browser now goes one step further by providing a one-click privacy report detailing all cross-site trackers that are being blocked. It can also generate a weekly privacy report on the start page.
Other app updates
Messages has been completely rewritten using the Catalyst framework, allowing it to have the same features as the mobile app. Also, you can now pin conversations, mention people, search for messages, and more.
The App Store comes with a few major improvements. Every app's privacy practices will be listed in a dedicated section (though this feature may not be available until later this year), a new category is available for Safari extensions, and third-party Notification Center widgets will be found on the store as well.
Maps is also getting some cool new features, Photos is being enhanced with new editing capabilities, and the Listen Now tab in the Music app will make it easier to find new content.
Big Sur brings big changes to Apple's macOS
This macOS update is the most innovative one we've seen in many years, which is no surprise given that it is released at the same time as Apple's new processor and three of the devices it's going to power.
There are a lot of interesting features to be excited by, but iPhone and iPad users will probably be happiest with the blend of Apple's desktop and mobile platforms, especially those who will also go out and buy an M1-powered device.
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New Mac Os 11
macOS Big Sur was reviewed by Catalin ChelariumacOS Big Sur 11.3 Build 20E232 / 11.4 Build 20F5046g Beta
Softpedia Editor's Pickadd to watchlistsend us an update- runs on:
- macOS 10.9 or later (Universal Binary)
- file size:
- 12.6 GB
- main category:
- System Utilities
- developer:
- visit homepage
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To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that you always use the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Learn how to upgrade to macOS Big Sur, the latest version of macOS.
Check compatibility
If a macOS installer can't be used on your Mac, the installer will let you know. For example, it might say that it's too old to be opened on this version of macOS, or that your Mac doesn't have enough free storage space for the installation.
To confirm compatibility before downloading, check the minimum requirements for macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite. You can also find compatibility information on the product-ID page for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro.
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11 Years Mac Os Download
Before installing, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.
Download macOS
It takes time to download and install macOS, so make sure that you're plugged into AC power and have a reliable internet connection.
Safari uses these links to find the old installers in the App Store. After downloading from the App Store, the installer opens automatically.
- macOS Catalina 10.15 can upgrade Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks
- macOS Mojave 10.14 can upgrade High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
- macOS High Sierra 10.13 can upgrade Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
Safari downloads the following older installers as a disk image named InstallOS.dmg or InstallMacOSX.dmg. Open the disk image, then open the .pkg installer inside the disk image. It installs an app named Install [Version Name]. Open that app from your Applications folder to begin installing the operating system.
- macOS Sierra 10.12 can upgrade El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion
- OS X El Capitan 10.11 can upgrade Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard
- OS X Yosemite 10.10can upgrade Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard
Install macOS
Follow the onscreen instructions in the installer. It might be easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.
If the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool, enter the administrator name and password that you use to log in to your Mac, then click Add Helper.
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart, show a progress bar, or show a blank screen several times as it installs macOS and related firmware updates.
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You might also be able to use macOS Recovery to reinstall the macOS you're using now, upgrade to the latest compatible macOS, or install the macOS that came with your Mac.