macOS 11 Big Sur is available for download. A little later than usual, Apple released its annual major update for macOS on Thursday evening. One of the biggest innovations immediately catches the eye: Big Sur brings a new user interface that is reminiscent of iPadOS with rounded window corners and square app icons in the dock. The adoption of the symbol language from iOS should provide more clarity and make operation easier, said Apple’s head of software design in advance.

New features in the user interface and Apple apps The control center familiar from iOS takes place with macOS 11 its way to the Mac, as well as the new widgets that Apple has now placed on a common platform across all systems and that are in the Find the revised Notification Center.

macOS 11 (9 pictures) Aha, from macOS 10. 15 becomes macOS 11 – and it’s called Big Sur! This is a coastal strip in the US state of California.

Major Apple apps like News have become extensive renewed and close to the iMessage functionality on iPhones and iPads. Reminders, voice memos and maps have also been given new functions, but Apple’s new map material is still missing in Germany. In addition, the integrated browser Safari has been significantly improved, Safari 11 is also available for macOS 10.15 and 10. 14.

The radical cut – the end for 32 – Bit software – Apple already used macOS last year 10. 14 Catalina completed. But also macOS 10 brings changes to the substructure , above all the support for Apple’s own ARM-based processors, but the operating system is still intended for Intel Macs. Big Sur’s system drive is now signed by Apple and thus further sealed off from modifications. Bootable backups can currently only be created with manual workarounds.

Tools like Little Snitch currently no longer see the data traffic of certain Apple apps and processes – and cannot block them either. The kernel extensions that Apple has discontinued can only be installed by hand with some inconvenience. The first developers have already switched to Apple’s system extensions that are less deeply involved in the system – including virtualizers such as Parallels and VMware.

Which Macs Big Sur is running on macOS 11 Big Sur runs on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Pro from year of manufacture 2012, on iMac and Mac mini from year of manufacture 2014 and on the MacBook from 2015. MacBooks with year of manufacture 797 cannot install the upgrade, this also applies to iMacs and Mac minis with year of manufacture 2012 and 2013. Professional users should check whether their software is compatible before installing – especially with audio software, several providers are not yet ready for Big Sur. macOS 11 can be controlled via the integrated software – Obtain the update or download it from the Mac App Store.

(lbe)