macOS Monterey (version 12) is the 18th major release of macOS, Apple's desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. The successor to macOS Big Sur, it was announced at WWDC 2021 on June 7, 2021, and is expected to be released later in 2021. A beta version of macOS Monterey was released to developers enrolled in the Apple Developer program on June 7, 2021. A public beta version was released at the beginning of July 2021.
The operating system is named after Monterey Bay, following Apple's tradition of naming macOS releases after locations in California that started with OS X (now macOS) 10.9 Mavericks replacing the former tradition of naming each macOS release after big cats.
Changes
Some of the major features showcased during the WWDC 2021 keynote include:
- Introduction of Shortcuts for the Mac
- Introduction of TestFlight for the Mac
- Universal Control, which allows a single keyboard and mouse to interact across multiple Macs and iPads at once (Available on Mac computers with the Apple M1 chip and Mac computers with an Intel processor and at least 16GB RAM and 4GB VRAM. iPad requirements: iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).)
- Redesigned Safari browser
- Support for playing AirPlay content received from iOS and iPadOS devices, as well as from other Macs (Available on MacBook Pro (2018 and later), MacBook Air (2018 and later), iMac (2019 and later), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (2020 and later), Mac Pro (2019), iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (2nd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later). Older iPhone, iPad, and Mac models may share content at a lower resolution to supported Mac models when “Allow AirPlay for” is set to “Everyone” or “Anyone on the same network” in Sharing preferences.)
- Enhancements to FaceTime, including the ability to share screen, and the SharePlay feature which provides a way to experience content simultaneously and in sync (e.g. music or TV shows)
- Ability to factory reset the device from the System Preferences app
- Live Text to copy, paste, translate, and lookup text in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, and Safari (work across all Mac that support macOS Monterey since beta 4)
- Focus to set different modes to filter notifications across iPhone and iPad
- Introduces Low Power Mode for Mac (Supported on MacBook Air (late 2018) and MacBook Pro (Mid 2018) and later.)
- Removal of PHP
Applications
Notes
The Notes application includes the ability to apply arbitrary, user-generated tags to any note (e.g. #cooking, #work). A complementary Tag Browser in the sidebar and Smart Folders allow visualization of notes tagged with a particular tag or combination of tags. New functionality called Quick Notes enables the creation of a note from within any app via invocation of a system-wide keyboard shortcut or hot corner.
Maps
The Maps app includes a new interactive globe, redesigned transit experience, and new place card. The interactive globe lets you discover the natural beauty of Earth with a rich and interactive 3D globe, including significantly enhanced details for mountain ranges, deserts, forests, oceans, and more.
System requirements
macOS Monterey is compatible with all Macs equipped with Apple silicon SoCs, as well as the following models equipped with Intel CPUs:
- MacBook: Early 2016 and newer
- MacBook Air: Early 2015 and newer
- MacBook Pro: Early 2015 and newer
- Mac Mini: Late 2014 and newer
- iMac: Late 2015 and newer
- iMac Pro: Late 2017
- Mac Pro: Late 2013 and newer
Release history
| Previous release | Current release | Current developer release |
| Version | Build | Date | Darwin version | Release notes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.0 Beta 1 | 21A5248p | June 7, 2021 | 21.0.0 | ||
| 12.0 Beta 2 | 21A5268h | June 28, 2021 | |||
| 12.0 Beta 3 | 21A5284e | July 14, 2021 | |||
| 12.0 Beta 4 | 21A5294g | July 27, 2021 | |||
| 12.0 Beta 5 | 21A5304g | August 11, 2021 | macOS Monterey 12 Beta 5 Release Notes | ||
| 12.0 Beta 6 | 21A5506j | August 30, 2021 | macOS Monterey 12 Beta 6 Release Notes |
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