Apple releases first developer beta for macOS Big Sur 11.1

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in macOS
Apple has moved on to testing a new version of macOS Big Sur, with developers now able to test out the first build of version 11.1.




New developer builds of Apple's beta operating systems can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center for those enrolled into the test program, or via an over-the-air update on devices running the beta software. Public betas typically arrive within a few days of the developer versions, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.

The beta is the first since Apple released macOS Big Sur to the public on November 12, in the form of macOS 11.0.1. More than ten beta builds were released in the time between Big Sur's announcement and its eventual release, and roughly two months after Apple issued public versions of other operating systems including iOS 14.

It is so far too early to determine what Apple has changed in the first beta, but it is likely to include some trial fixes for a range of launch issues.

AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly suggest users avoid installing betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, due to the potential for data loss or other issues. It is instead recommended to install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure there are sufficient backups of important data beforehand.

Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at [email protected].

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    ArielBar_17ArielBar_17 Posts: 4member
    Does that mean that the next big fall update will be called macos 12 instead of macos 11.1?
    TheObannonFile
  • Reply 2 of 12
    S12S12 Posts: 25member
    Hopefully, this fixes the Thunderbolt 3 and external mass storage issues. I'd like to be able to use my Drobo 5D3 at full speed again.
  • Reply 3 of 12
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    ArielBar_17 said:
    Does that mean that the next big fall update will be called macos 12 instead of macos 11.1?
    They’re changing the name to TacOS.
  • Reply 4 of 12
    TheObannonFileTheObannonFile Posts: 110member
    ArielBar_17 said:
    Does that mean that the next big fall update will be called macos 12 instead of macos 11.1?
    That is the immediate question after reading the headline. I was wondering if that would be in the article.
    ArielBar_17
  • Reply 5 of 12
    MacQuadra840avMacQuadra840av Posts: 207member
    ArielBar_17 said:
    Does that mean that the next big fall update will be called macos 12 instead of macos 11.1?
    Not necessarily.  Apple quickly replaced 10.0 with 10.1 during the same year with major bug fixes and features restored from OS 9, like DVD Playback and CD burning.  Then we had 10.1 to 10.1.5 and then 10.2 to 10.2.8 and so on.  Big Sur is really 10.16 with eye candy.  The only reason they called it 11 is because of Apple Silicon.  It is still the same core OS X underneath, with fresh paint like Yosemite.
    ArielBar_17TheObannonFile
  • Reply 6 of 12
    maltzmaltz Posts: 453member
    Yeah, it sounds like they're switching to a more iOS-like numbering scheme.  Which, frankly, is more conventional, not to mention a return to how Mac OS itself was numbered before the "X" branding.  (And nearly everything else in the industry.) Using the same major version number for 20 years of updates is what was odd.  lol
    ArielBar_17TheObannonFiledysamoriaPetrolDave
  • Reply 7 of 12
    MacQuadra840avMacQuadra840av Posts: 207member
    Hopefully this fixes the broken Share Photos to AppleTV in the media sharing panel.  When you click on Choose, the drop down is greyed out and you cannot select any photos or any source of photos.  When you click OK, the box remains checked, but when you quit and re-open System Preferences, the box is unchecked.  Anyone else see this?  There is a post on Macrumors forum with someone experiencing the same issue.  It has been broken in the betas so surprised Apple hasn't fixed it yet.
  • Reply 8 of 12
    MacQuadra840avMacQuadra840av Posts: 207member
    maltz said:
    Yeah, it sounds like they're switching to a more iOS-like numbering scheme.  Which, frankly, is more conventional, not to mention a return to how Mac OS itself was numbered before the "X" branding.  (And nearly everything else in the industry.) Using the same major version number for 20 years of updates is what was odd.  lol
    It was not odd at all because it was the same OS underneath the new eye candy.  You said it yourself...same major version for UPDATES.  More conventional and like how the old Mac OS was numbered?  That did not make any sense at all, except for System 6.  System 6 was 6.0 to 6.0.8 because the system remained the same, except for a few updates and bug fixes.  System 7 was a major change from System 6, so it warranted a new number.  System 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.5, 7.5.3, 7.5.5, 7.6, 7.6.1...how did that make any sense.  How was that conventional?  8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 8.6?  9.0, 9.0.4, 9.1, 9.2, 9.2.2?  Those made sense?  There were no major changes between 8 and 9, so not sure why they came out with a version 9 when the big feature was Sherlock 2.  They only renamed it 11 because of Apple Silicon.  This update is no different than Mavericks to Yosemite when they slapped a new coat of paint on the surface.  It is still OS X.
  • Reply 9 of 12
    TheObannonFileTheObannonFile Posts: 110member
    My opinion: here forward should be a new major version number. Cant stand 10.15, 10.16, etc. Here forward 11, 12, 13, and so on. watchOS doesn’t match iOS and neither does macOS need to. But, every annual release needs to be a major release to the updates through the year are 11.1,11.2, 11.3, and so on
    edited November 2020
  • Reply 10 of 12
    dysamoriadysamoria Posts: 3,430member
    None of it matters. There’s literally no difference between a beta and a final anymore (and not in a good way; “agile development” can kiss my ass), and the numbering schemes are about pushing updates to push hardware sales.

    I’m sick of everything being about keeping us on a perpetual buying treadmill. Nothing is ever stable or robust enough because they want to push the next sale.
  • Reply 11 of 12
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,112member
    Is there any news on whether this fixes the problem with older MacBooks bricking?
  • Reply 12 of 12
    jeffythequickjeffythequick Posts: 269member
    SpamSandwich said:
    ArielBar_17 said:
    Does that mean that the next big fall update will be called macos 12 instead of macos 11.1?
    They’re changing the name to TacOS.
    I thought that was only on Tuesday.
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