The new macOS Ventura 13.3 is now available and rolling out to Mac users, bringing back the previously withdrawn new HomeKit architecture, plus more visual features such as new emoji.
It follows the release of macOS Ventura 13.2 in January, 2023, plus multiple rounds of developer and public beta testing. This updated macOS will now be preinstalled on all new Macs.
This release incorporates 31 new emoji. It also now presents rich text previews for Mastodon in Messages.
However, in the longer term the most significant update is that of HomeKit. A new Home architecture was released in macOS and iOS in late 2022, which Apple said was intended to be "more reliable and more efficient."
Unfortunately, users found that HomeKit setups were breaking, with devices getting stuck in an "updating" mode. Apple eventually pulled the whole system at the end of December 2022.
Given the widespread issues with this new Home architecture when it was first released, AppleInsider stresses that users should not update immediately. That's always the best advice with any new OS, and especially so when the update would be done to user's sole or main Mac.
How to update macOS Ventura
Users with automatic updates enabled don't have to do anything, as macOS Ventura's update will automatically install at some point in the next day or so. Those who want to install the update sooner can do so manually.
- Open System Preferences
- Select "General"
- Select "Software Update"
- Select the update option and follow the prompts