Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of macOS Big Sur 11.2 to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Thursday January 21, 2021 1:40 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a week after the second beta and two months after initial macOS Big Sur release.

macOS 11
Developers can download the ‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌ 11.2 beta using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 2 eliminates a feature that allowed Apple apps bypass third-party firewalls, security tools, and VPN apps. macOS Big Sur 11 included a ContentFilterExclusionList that let Apple's apps like the App Store, Maps, iCloud, and more to avoid firewall and VPN apps that users had installed. These apps were not able to filter or inspect traffic for some built-in Apple apps. That functionality has been removed in macOS Big Sur 11.2.

When macOS Big Sur 11.2 sees a release, Apple apps will be compatible with VPN apps and will no longer be able to bypass firewalls and other security tools.

According to Apple's release notes, the update also improves Bluetooth reliability and includes multiple bug fixes.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 improves Bluetooth reliability and fixes the following issues:
- External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter
- Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not save
- iCloud Drive could turn off after disabling the iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Folders option
- System Preferences may not unlock when entering your administrator password
- Globe key may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed

The update addresses a bug that could cause external displays to show a black screen when connected to an M1 Mac mini using an HDMI to DVI converter, and it fixes an issue that resulted in edits to Apple ProRaw photos in the Photos app not to save. It also includes fixes for iCloud Drive, System Preferences, and more.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

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• 32 comments

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert

72 months ago

release to the public surely within a week or two then.

I hope so. I am tired of experiencing Bluetooth cut out.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

itrends

72 months ago

BUMPY RIDE that was!

Set the 11.2 RC installing.
Mac mini M1 restarted.
Screen went BANANANANNSS!! Like an old Commodore 64 game loading screen.
I left it for about 10 mins, then decided to kill the power.
Turned back on, install completed as expected. PHEW

Now the good news
[LIST=1]
* I can now have WIFI turned on without it making my mouse laggy
* I can now have my Magic Mouse and magic track pad connected without one of them becoming unusable
* The entire system is MUCH MUCH faster.
* Safari scroll lag is gone entirely.
* I have 2 ultra wide Red Eagles connected (one HDMI, one DP) and both appear to be doing everything they are meant to

HOWEVER
This is only after I have just booted into the new os. So now the waiting game begins to see if any bluetooth issues do crop up with usage time and to see if screens waking from long sleep are still an issue. My DP connected display always woke ok, but the HDMI one would always wake at 800x600 and I would have to change the resolution twice to get it to show up at the right res.

Also worth noting, the native resolutions are STILL NOT shown unless I OPTION + CLICK on the scaled display choice.

Also the MonitorControl app still reports not displays connected.

Overall, so far, very happy and hopeful.

If the screens stay the right res and I can finally keep wifi on again to use airdrop, that will be progress.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

KoolAid-Drink

72 months ago

Yeah, they changed it in the fall. It was always called Gold Master. I liked that more, but hey..

Agreed. However, "golden master" refers to when they distributed the OS on CDs and DVDs back in the day (master disc image). Usually back then, the GM was the final version. It was a vestigial nomenclature that was no longer relevant, given the possibility nowadays to update software more quickly. "Release candidate" makes sense because it implies that, as a candidate, it can be updated if needed to free itself of any showstopper bugs, while master implies it's final.

But yes, I do miss the GM nomenclature. It's reminiscent of a simpler time.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ashdelacroix

72 months ago

If it stops my Safari crashing at least once a day, I'll be very happy.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)