Apple Releases macOS Monterey 12.3.1 With Bluetooth and Display Fixes

Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Monterey operating system that launched in October. macOS Monterey 12.3.1 comes two weeks after the launch of macOS Monterey 12.3, an update that brought Universal Control.

macOS Monterey 2
The ‌‌‌‌‌macOS Monterey‌‌ 12.3‌‌.1 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

According to Apple's release notes, macOS Monterey 12.3.1 introduces a fix that could cause Bluetooth controllers like game controllers to disconnect from the Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones. It also addresses a bug that could cause USB-C or Thunderbolt external displays to not turn on when connected to the 2018 Mac mini as a secondary display.

This update fixes the following issues:
- USB-C or Thunderbolt external display does not turn on when connected to Mac mini (2018) as a second display
- Bluetooth devices, such as game controllers, may disconnect from your Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones

macOS Monterey 12.3.1 also addresses two vulnerabilities, including an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges and an Intel Graphics Driver issue that could allow an application to read kernel memory.

Apple says these exploits may have been actively exploited, so it is a good idea for all users to update as soon as possible.

Today's macOS Monterey update was also accompanied by iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, tvOS 15.4.1, watchOS 8.5.1, and new 15.4.1 software for the HomePod.

Related Forum: macOS Monterey

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

Station Grey Avatar
50 months ago
Bit alarming that the external display bug is referenced purely as a Mac mini 2018 issue, rather than on iMacs and MBPs too - either they haven't fixed the issue for all, or they don't know fully understand what the issue was.

Still, nearly download on my iMac 2017 with dual, borked external displays so will soon find out.

Edit: Yes, it fixed it.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tmoerel Avatar
50 months ago

At this point, can anyone tell me if there are still any memory leaks in Monterey? Or have been fixed all of them?

Any other major bug on Monterey? Or is this a safe release to jump from Big Sur?
An operating system contains millions of lines of code. It will never be perfect and there will always be some memory leak somewhere. But the major ones seem to be under control.
I work in software Quality Assurance and I can guarantee you that perfect software does not exist!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFin Avatar
50 months ago
I hope this also fixes the issue with Quick Previews. After a while, hitting the space bar only shows a tiny thumbnail instead of previewing the file as it should. The only way to fix this is to restart Finder which is frustrating since it will usually close all Finder windows.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago
Yay! More bugs are being squashed.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Populus Avatar
50 months ago
At this point, can anyone tell me if there are still any memory leaks in Monterey? Or have been fixed all of them?

Any other major bug on Monterey? Or is this a safe release to jump from Big Sur?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VictorTango777 Avatar
50 months ago

An operating system contains millions of lines of code. It will never be perfect and there will always be some memory leak somewhere. But the major ones seem to be under control.
I work in software Quality Assurance and I can guarantee you that perfect software does not exist!
Before any problem can be fixed, the company first has to admit that there is a problem, not ignore it or claim ”it’s a feature, not a bug”.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)