Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.3 update with revisions to Apple Music, games controllers

Following multiple developer and public beta tests, Apple has now updated macOS Big Sur to version 11.3. The update includes new features in Apple Music, games controllers, Apple News+, and Podcasts.

As of now, or at least as of when it finishes rolling out worldwide, the current version of macOS Big Sur is 11.3. That's the version installed on any Mac you buy, and it's the version that your existing Mac will update to — assuming it can.

Users can wait for the automatic update to take place overnight, or they can force it manually. A manual update can be started by opening System Preferences and accessing the Software Update interface.

Compared to the original release of macOS Big Sur 11, there are no major differences in this new edition. Nor, it seems, quite as many download problems.

However, there are very many minor ones that add convenience, new functionality, and much-requested improvements across the whole operating system — and Apple's stock apps.

AirTag and Find My network support

macOS includes support for Apple's just-launched AirTag, the tracking chip that can be used to locate lost keys or other items via the Find My app.

There's also support for the Find My network, which allows the Find My app to show the locations of third-party trackers and devices that support Apple's platform, in a similar manner to a misplaced iPhone or other hardware.

Reminders, News, Podcasts, and Music

Apple's to-do app, Reminders, gets a couple of extra features that it yet again shows it's better than one of the more basic task managers it competes with. From macOS Big Sur 11.3, you can sort your tasks to surface the ones you need to work on.

It also lets you manually drag tasks to change the order of a list. There are much more powerful to-do apps, but for a fast way to decide which tasks you're going to do right now, Reminders is very good.

Podcasts

Similarly, Apple News for Mac gets tweaks that are small but useful. The News+ tab has been redesigned to make it quicker to find particular publications, and there's also an improved way of finding, or removing, previously downloaded issues.

Apple Podcasts has changed how it works with downloads, too. Where previously there was a preference setting for automatically downloading podcasts, it's been replaced by the similar Download episodes when saving. Rather than downloading every episode, you can elect to download the recording just by saving it.

Individual podcast episodes now have a save button, too. If you like an episode, you can now choose "follow" the podcast, which is Apple's new term for "subscribe."

Top charts and popular categories are included in Search to aid with discovery of new shows. There's also been a subtle rearrangement of the Listen Now part of Podcasts. Again, it's to surface the most-wanted elements.

The same thing is visible in Apple Music for Mac, where its Listen Now will include promoting live events. There's also an Autoplay option, which means Apple Music will just keep on going — even after it's completed a whole playlist.

Autoplay in Apple Music will now keep music playing by automatically playing a similar song, once you reach the end of a song or a playlist. City charts will also showcase what's popular in over 100 cities around the world.

Safari

Apple's browser now allows users to customize the Start Page section order to their desire.

An additional WebExtensions API enables developers to offer extensions that replace the new tab page. Meanwhile the Web Speech API allows developers to add speech recognition into their webpages, which could be used for dictation, voice navigation, or real-time captioning.

Lastly, WebM and Vorbis video and audio format support are included.

Hardware support

Apple Music users have long been able to stream their music to stereo-paired HomePods, while other Mac audio output could only go to one. Now from macOS 11.3, a stereo pair can be set as the Mac's output.

This was one feature that proved erratic during the beta testing, however,

Also on the hardware side, Big Sur 11.3 now gains the ability to use certain gaming controllers. The Playstation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S controllers are now supported on the Mac.

Macs that are powered by the M1 chip also gain hiberation support.

Using iOS apps on the Mac

The Mac's support for iPhone and iPad apps — on Apple Silicon M1 machines — has also seen some improvement. It's still not the case that iOS developers are hurrying to release Mac-tuned versions, but for those who do, Apple has added some small usability touches.

Apps on the iPad will take better use of the larger screen, for instance, and across that device and the iPhone, there's a new setting. It lets you use keyboard commands instead of touch.

Using iOS apps on the Mac is still not widespread, but Big Sur has made changes to something that is. The Safari web browser has gained new features — both for users and developers.

For developers, there is a new Web Speech API that lets them leverage speech recognition. They also get greater options for Safari extensions that they can create.

Users will obviously benefit from those when developers release them, but this latest Safari does also offer at least one immediately obvious improvement. The Start Page has been made more customizeable.

Other changes

Siri benefits from a few more voice options, giving users more variety in how they can set the digital assistant to speak.

Like with iOS 14.5, new emoji have been included, including faces, hearts, and the woman with a beard emoji. There is also support for separate skin tones for each individual for all variations of the couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji.

No big changes, but important ones

Unless you're a developer who's been struggling with extensions, there isn't a lot in macOS Big Sur 11.3 that could be described as huge. Yet at the same time, there also isn't a Mac user who won't see some benefits from upgrading.

Where there could be a huge change, though, is in Rosetta 2. This only affects Apple Silicon Macs, but it is how those are able to run older Intel-based apps.

During the beta period, Apple suggested that the function may be removed — if not entirely, then at least in certain countries and territories. That last point is making it hard to determine whether there has yet been any removal of it.

We'll soon find whether it's been removed anywhere, but we'll also see how stable the audio output to stereo-paired HomePods. Even after all the beta testing, the real test comes when a major release like a macOS update comes out and is used by millions more people around the world.

Apple's release notes for macOS 11.3 read as follows:

AirTag and Find My

• Support for AirTag to keep track of and find your important items like 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 is 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 from all over the world

Podcasts

• Podcasts Show Pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening
• Option to save and download episodes, automatically adding them to your Library for quick access
• Download behavior and notification settings can be customized 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 customized
• 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

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.