macOS Big Sur facts for kids

macOS Big Sur

Version of the macOS operating system
macOS Big Sur's desktop in "light appearance"
Developer	Apple
OS family	Macintosh Unix, based on Darwin (BSD)
Source model	Closed, with open source components
General availability	November 12, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-11-12)
Latest release	11.7.10 (20G1427)  (September 11, 2023; 21 months ago (2023-09-11))
Repository	Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Update method	Software Update
Platforms	x86-64, ARM64
Kernel type	Hybrid (XNU)
License	Proprietary software with open-source components
Preceded by	macOS Catalina
Succeeded by	macOS Monterey
Tagline	Doing it all, in new ways.
Support status
Unsupported as of September 26, 2023. Finder is still able to download driver updates to sync to newer devices. Drops support for Macs released from 2012 to early 2013.

macOS Big Sur (version 11) is a big update for macOS, which is Apple's computer program for Macintosh computers. It was first shown at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 22, 2020. People could download and use it starting November 12, 2020.

Big Sur came after macOS Catalina and before macOS Monterey, which was released on October 25, 2021. This update was special because it was the first time the main version number of macOS changed in a long time, going from 10 to 11.

macOS Big Sur got a fresh new look, the first big design change since OS X Yosemite six years earlier. It made things look smoother and more consistent. It also brought a new way to back up your files called Time Machine. Plus, it added a "Control Center" like the one on iPhones and iPads. This version was also the first macOS to work with Macs that use Apple's own ARM-based processors. The name "Big Sur" comes from a beautiful coastal region in California, keeping up Apple's tradition of naming its operating systems after places in California.

macOS Big Sur is the last version of macOS that works with some older Mac computers that have Nvidia graphics cards. Its next version, macOS Monterey, does not support those older models.

Which Macs Can Run Big Sur?

Unlike macOS Catalina, which worked on most Macs that Mojave supported, Big Sur stopped supporting some older Macs from 2012 and early 2013.

Big Sur works on these Macs:

• iMac (Mid 2014 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2013 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
• Mac Mini (Late 2014 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Some people have found ways to install macOS Big Sur on even older computers that are not officially supported.

What's New in Big Sur?

A Fresh New Look

macOS Big Sur completely changed how the computer screen looks. Apple said it was the biggest design update since Mac OS X first came out. It uses see-through effects in many places and has a new main background picture. All the usual apps, like the Dock and the Menu Bar, look new and cleaner. Their icons are now square, like on iPhones and iPads, but they have more shadows to look 3D. Even the system sounds are new!

Handy Interface Updates

Control Center for Quick Settings

A new "Control Center" was added to the menu bar. It lets you quickly turn on/off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and change screen brightness or sound volume. It looks and works just like the Control Center on iPhones and iPads.

Improved Notifications

The Notification Center also got a new design. Notifications are now interactive, meaning you can do more with them directly. It also has a new widget system, like on iOS 14, showing more information and letting you customize it more.

System Changes

Support for Apple's Own Chips

macOS Big Sur is the first version of macOS made for Macs that use Apple's own ARM64-based processors. This was a big step in moving away from Intel processors. The first Macs with these new chips were the Late 2020 Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, which use the Apple M1 chip. Apple has said they will still support Intel Macs for many years.

If an app isn't made for the new Apple chips, Macs can use something called Rosetta 2. This helps older apps run smoothly on the new Macs. Apple also created a new type of app file called Universal 2. This lets developers make one app that works perfectly on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs.

Run iPhone and iPad Apps on Your Mac

On Macs with Apple's own chips, macOS Big Sur can run iPhone and iPad apps! Developers just need to allow their apps to be available on the Mac App Store. This means you can use many of your favorite mobile apps right on your Mac.

Time Machine Got an Upgrade

Time Machine, which helps you back up your files, was updated. It now uses a newer file system called APFS. This makes backups "faster, more compact, and more reliable." Backing up your files to an external drive or over a network is much quicker now.

New Time Machine backups will use APFS by default. If you have old backups on the older HFS+ system, they will still work, but you'll need to start a new backup to get the benefits of APFS.

Faster Spotlight Search

Spotlight, which helps you find files and information on your Mac, is now faster. Its look has also been improved. Spotlight is now the main search tool in apps like Safari, Pages, and Keynote.

Safer System Volume

The main part of the operating system is now "signed" with a special digital code. This is a security step to stop bad software from changing important system files. It makes your Mac more secure.

Easier Software Updates

Software updates can now start downloading and preparing in the background before you even restart your computer. This means less waiting time when you update your Mac.

Better Encryption

macOS Big Sur can now encrypt (or scramble) individual files. Older versions only encrypted whole hard drives. This adds another layer of security for your important information.

Other Cool Changes

• New dictionaries for different languages, like French–German and Japanese–Simplified Chinese.
• Better typing help for Chinese and Japanese users.
• New fonts for users in India.
• The "Now Playing" music widget moved to the Menu Bar.
• The Podcasts app got a "Listen Now" feature.
• FaceTime can now highlight people using sign language.
• The macOS startup sound is back on by default, and you can turn it off in Settings.

App Features

Safari Web Browser

Big Sur includes Safari 14. This version lets you customize your home page with your own wallpaper and choose what features you want to see. You can also see a small preview of a webpage before you visit it.

Safari 14 also has built-in tools to translate web pages into different languages like English, Spanish, German, and French. It can also play 4K HDR videos from Netflix on Macs with a special Apple T2 chip.

New privacy features were added to Safari 14. These include iCloud Keychain, which warns you if your passwords might be unsafe. It also has a Privacy Report that shows you which websites are trying to track you. You can now import passwords from Google's Chrome browser too.

Safari 14 also works with new web technologies, like the WebP image format and VP9 video decoding. This means better performance and saves battery power. Safari 14 also stopped supporting Adobe Flash Player.

Messages App

The Messages app was rebuilt to be more like the one on iPhones and iPads. It has a new design and lets you pin up to nine important conversations to the top. These pinned chats will show up on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also search for messages more easily and share your name and photo with others.

You can now mention friends in group chats by typing the @ symbol before their name. You can also reply directly to specific messages. Memojis, which are 3D cartoon versions of yourself, are also available in Messages.

Mac App Store Updates

The Mac App Store got some new features:

• A new "nutrition label" section for each app. This shows you what data and information an app collects, similar to the iOS App Store.
• A new section just for Safari extensions.
• You can now get third-party widgets for the Notification Center, just like on iOS and iPadOS 14.
• You can share in-app purchases and subscriptions with your family using iCloud Family Sharing.

Photos App

• New tools to edit your photos.
• An improved Retouch tool to fix small flaws.
• A new way to zoom in on your photos.

Maps App

• The "Look Around" feature, which lets you see 360° street views, was added to the Mac version of Maps.
• You can now get directions for cycling.
• If you have an electric car, Maps can help you find charging stations and plan routes based on your battery level.
• New "Guides" help you explore new places.

Voice Memos App

• You can now organize your recordings into folders.
• You can mark recordings as "Favorites" to find them easily later.
• "Smart Folders" automatically group recordings from your Apple Watch, recently deleted ones, and your Favorites.
• You can improve the sound quality of recordings to reduce background noise.

Other Apps in macOS Big Sur

What Was Removed?

• The Calculator widget from the Notification Center.
• The option to change Font Smoothing in System Preferences.
• Support for some AdBlock plugins in Safari.
• The option to remove the clock from the menu bar.

Security Notes

In 2021, some new computer viruses (malware) were found that could affect macOS Big Sur. These viruses could work on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs. Apple worked to fix these issues to keep users safe.

Release History

macOS 11 Big Sur was first released as version 11.0.1 for Intel Macs. Macs with Apple's own chips came with version 11.0 already installed, and Apple suggested updating them to 11.0.1.

Version	Release date	Release notes
11.0	November 17, 2020	Release notes
11.0.1	November 12, 2020	Release notes
11.1	December 14, 2020	Release notes
11.2	February 1, 2021	Release notes
11.2.1	February 9, 2021	Release notes
11.2.2	February 25, 2021	Release notes
11.2.3	March 8, 2021	Release notes
11.3	April 26, 2021	Release notes
11.3.1	May 3, 2021	Release notes
11.4	May 24, 2021	Release notes
11.5	July 21, 2021	Release notes
11.5.1	July 26, 2021	Release notes
11.5.2	August 11, 2021	Release notes
11.6	September 13, 2021	Release notes
11.6.1	October 25, 2021	Release notes
11.6.2	December 13, 2021	Release notes
11.6.3	January 26, 2022	Release notes
11.6.4	February 14, 2022	Release notes
11.6.5	March 14, 2022	Release notes
11.6.6	May 16, 2022	Release notes
11.6.7	June 9, 2022	Release notes
11.6.8	July 20, 2022	Release notes
11.7	September 12, 2022	Release notes
11.7.1	October 24, 2022	Release notes
11.7.2	December 13, 2022	Release notes
11.7.3	January 23, 2023	Release notes
11.7.4	February 15, 2023	Release notes
11.7.5	March 27, 2023	Release notes
11.7.6	April 10, 2023	Release notes
11.7.7	May 18, 2023	Release notes
11.7.8	June 21, 2023	Release notes
11.7.9	July 24, 2023	Release notes
11.7.10	September 11, 2023	Release notes

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Images for kids

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  macOS Big Sur's desktop in "light appearance"

• 

  The Safari 14 start page with Wikipedia on the reading list

• 

  The Mac App Store showing the Safari Extensions category

See also

In Spanish: MacOS Big Sur para niños