It is official that macOS 11 Big Sur has just been introduced and is on its way to the public. Recently announced only at WWDC 2020 online, the next macOS will bring significant, not to mention exciting, improvements to the operating system that runs the best Mac.
While its predecessor, macOS Catalina, had only small improvements over macOS Mojave, macOS 11 Big Sur is expected to make the most significant changes to Apple’s operating system in years. The main one is the migration to silicon designed by Apple.
The macOS 11 Big Sur, along with macOS Catalyst, will eventually support all iOS and iPad applications for the Mac operating system. Apple also promises to lead to increased efficiency and power, but that remains to be seen.
With some stability improvements, we also get a massive overhaul of the look of the original macOS apps with macOS 11 Big Sur. Apple finally offers applications like Messaging, Mail, Photos, Calendar, and even Finder, a new design, much more compact and simplified.
There also have some cool new features that more closely match those of the upcoming iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur bringing the widgets. This should make your entire Apple experience a much more harmonious and unique experience.
While there is still no actual release date, we should see macOS 11 Big Sur available in September or October 2020 if Apple follows its usual release schedule.
However, the public beta version of macOS 11 is now available, as well as the public beta versions for iOS 14, tvOS 14, iPadOS 14, and can be downloaded via the Apple Beta program page if you want to try it out before the official launch.
macOS 11 Big Sur release date
Although macOS Big Sur was released at WWDC 2020, we don’t know precisely when the public will be able to download the macOS and install it.
Apple generally releases its software at the same time each year, so it is reasonable to expect that the macOS Big Sur date will be in September or October 2020.
In any case, we will not know the exact date at which the software will be publicly available until the iPhone 12 events later this year.
If you’re in a hurry to access the software, the beta version will cost you $99. The public beta is now available and free and can be downloaded from the Apple beta page.
However, most people here need to be careful. Early versions of the macOS are prone to errors and are not as secure as the public versions. However, if you agree with the risks, the option is open to you.
System requirements for macOS 11 Big Sur
In case you want to download and install macOS 11 when it becomes available publicly later this year, you need to be sure your Mac can run it. And unfortunately, the requirements for macOS have increased.
Below is a list of the Mac systems supported by macOS Big Sur.
- 12-inch MacBook (2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (2013 and later)
- MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and later)
- Mac mini (2014 and later)
- iMac (2014 and later)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro (2013 and later)
MacOS 11 Big Sur Name
Apple chose “Big Sur” this time to symbolize this version of macOS. Like the unincorporated coastal area of ??northern California, this new macOS is said to offer “an unparalleled level of power and beauty.”
Features of macOS 11 Big Sur
Safari
Safari is an unacknowledged hero of macOS. Some of the new improvements have made it even faster, now 50% faster than Chrome, according to Apple, as well as even greater privacy improvements and better battery consumption.
This is the most significant update the browser has received since its first launch.
This improved version of Safari will bring a multitude of new features to the table, including smart tracking, which can provide you with a privacy report on each site you visit, record password, which will enable you to track passwords and make sure that they are not compromised.
It will also provide support for the WebExtensions API and a new category of extension in the App Store and the possibility of translating the original.
Interestingly, the home page will be very customizable here, so you can change the background image and add/edit sections.
Message improvements
Messages on macOS have been lagging behind iOS for a while, but now you can use the improvements to pin messages, emojis, and groups that will come with iOS 14, which is a good idea.
Messages for Mac will also bring many more features than its versions for iOS 14 and iPad OS 14. It will also have a more powerful search, a redesigned photo picker, and new special effects messages.
AirPods improvements
With excellent surround sound support for AirPods Pro, here is a big improvement over the support for AirPods on macOS.
Instead of fiddling with Bluetooth settings when you want to use AirPods with your Mac, they will automatically switch to your Mac immediately you start using it. AirPods will now change seamlessly and intuitively between devices without doing anything.
Sidebar in mail and photos
Apple Mail and Photo have been obsolete for some time, but Apple has brought new designs for many larger Mac applications, the most important of which are the new sidebars in Mail and Photos.
The Photos app will have the same appearance, appearance, and functionality as the iOS 14 version.
Mac Control Center
One of the exciting things about iOS is the super affordable control center that lets you change the settings at a glance. macOS Big Sur brings this to Mac and is easily accessible from the menu bar, so you can easily change the settings without looking in the settings application.
Widgets in the notification application
Like iOS 14, macOS 11 Big Sur also gets widgets in the notification menu, making it easy to get essential data at a glance, with an easy-to-read display. These widgets can be personalized according to your preferences.
Mac Catalyst
One of the key features of macOS Mojave was that it brought native iOS apps to the Mac, but thanks to Mac Catalyst, new APIs and tools are helping app developers integrate more iOS apps into the system.
Using these tools, you will get certain features such as resizable windows and keyboard tools, making them feel like Mac apps instead of iPhone apps.
Mac in ARM
After so many rumors, it finally happened. Apple has finally announced that Macs will switch to Apple-designed silicon, similar to what we’ve seen with any other device in its line.
Still, this is probably the most significant change that has happened to the Mac in years, as it will enable all iPhone and iPad applications to run on the Mac for the first time.
Thanks to Mac Catalyst and Rosetta 2, which will translate the source code of all Mac applications, each Mac program can run on new ARM-based ARCs that will be released later this year.
Apple has not announced any specific Mac devices that will use this hardware but have hinted that they will come, and we may see an unnamed iMac running the new software.
However, developers can request Apple’s Universal Apps Quick Launch program to access the Mac mini running the Apple A12Z Bionic SoC.
