Wesley Hilliard
Following Tuesday's iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3 and tvOS 14.4 beta releases, Apple has provided developers with the first test version of macOS Big Sur 11.2.
Apple offers downloads of its betas through the Apple Developer Center, for participants in its developer test program, though hardware already running beta software can also receive an over-the-air update. Public beta variants usually arrive a short time after developer versions, and can be accessed through the Apple Beta Software Program website.
Apple did not provide any detailed release notes beyond the usual bug fixes, but if any new features exist in macOS 11.2 they will be discovered soon. Apple has been optimizing their latest Macs running the M1 processor.
The new beta cycle arrives after Apple released macOS 11.1 to the public on December 14. It included support for AirPods Max and new privacy labels on the Mac App Store.
AppleInsider, and Apple itself, highly recommend users don't install betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, due to the potential for data loss or other issues. It is instead recommended to install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure there are sufficient backups of important data beforehand.
Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.
Update, Dec. 17, 2020: Apple has released a public beta version of macOS 11.2.
Charles Martin
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Andrew Orr
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8 Comments
So it does look like they are changing their version numbering to match iOS, as macOS becomes more and more like iOS. More and more locked down. Now you have to restart just to install a printer driver, after a number of pop-up warnings just to install the software.
I hope they are doing something about how power hungry Big Sur 11 & 11.1 are - I have to charge my MacBook Air every 3 days instead of every 5 since the very first Big Sur betas.