Apple today released a macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 update, which is available to those who are still running the macOS Big Sur operating system. macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 comes a few weeks after the launch of macOS Big Sur 11.7.3, which was released alongside macOS Ventura 13.2.
The macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.
Image via Apple Support Community
Today's update addresses an ongoing issue with Safari icons. The Big Sur 11.7.3 update introduced a bug that prevented icons from showing up in the Safari Favorites section. Spaces where icons normally appear were blank, making it difficult to see which sites are in the Favorites section at a glance.
According to Apple's security software page, the update includes important security fixes as well. Apple has also released a Safari 16.3.1 update that includes the same fix for Safari Favorite icons.
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Great. everything seems to be working now. the 11.7.3 update brought quite a significant boost in performance. Big sur is as good and stable as the great mojave now.
Safari 16.3.1 for Big Sur has build number 16614.4.6.11.7 and you can download it here: https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/14/032-51569-A_6C8JMC4NSY/3excb9qywqf00i87sfss53vk636jizy6ck/Safari16.3.1BigSurAuto.pkg
Doesn't seem to be one for Monterey yet though.
There was confusion before on the previous version of Safari for Big Sur with build number 16614.4.6.11.6 which came only 2 days ago. The security webpage https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT213638 previously referred to it as being version 16.3.1 whereas it was in fact version 16.3. They changed it back to version 16.3 the next day.
It is highly unusual for updates for Safari to come out in such quick succession, especially for older systems.