After 5 months of beta testing, macOS Big Sur, also known as macOS 11.0, will be released on Thursday. (Update: Get it here.) Users with a compatible Mac will be able to get it for free in the Mac App Store.
This new operating system features a new design, Control Center, a revamped Notification Center, and many other new features. In addition, Big Sur will work both on existing Macs with Intel processors and new Macs using Apple’s new M1 chip.
Can't wait to try it!
I am trying to update to Big Sur. When I click Update I get the message "Your Mac is up to date macOS Catalina 10.15.7." Is Big Sur not compatible with my Mac?
Gene: Go to the Mac App Store to get it. See the link in the article above.
I will be purchasing a new MAC Book Pro with OS Big Sur. Will Wineskins work on the Big Sur application system. I need this for my Zing craft cutting machine. Please say it will! It didn't on High Sierra!
Andrea: It should work. But why not check the developer's site and see?
The Big Sur upgrade has made Mail somewhat buggy, even though my preferences haven't changed: The number of mailboxes has proliferated, and the trashed messages can only be searched, but otherwise have disappeared from the folder I had before.
Justine: Have you tried rebuilding your mailbox? Or maybe just removing the account and adding it again to let it repopulate from scratch (assuming it is modern email like IMAP, iCloud or Gmail)? Most email problems have to do with the service you use, not the client. Each service is very different.
Can you provide guidance about how to migrate to a new operating system if you are running an old OS? I'm still running OS X El Capitan, 10.11.6 (don't laugh), and want to upgrade. But I'm concerned about several things, including whether it will run properly, the steep learning curve, compatibility with existing apps, etc. I'm only semi-tech savvy. My computer system runs a non-profit organization, so I have to be careful not to jeopardize the set-up. Thanks
Joan: Yes, you will have a steep learning curve as you'll need to learn everything that is new and changed in Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina and Big Sur all at once. But there's no way around it. Make sure all of your critical software will work on Big Sur before updating. Are you sure your Mac can even upgrade to Big Sur? If it is still on El Capitan then perhaps it is too old?
Thanks for being so clear and straight-forward. How or where can I check whether my computer is too old to run Big Sur?
Joan: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211238
I just purchased my first Macbook Pro about 3 months ago so I am learning the differences in a Mac vs HP. I am unsure about upgrading to Big Sur if it's going to put me back to day 1 learning again. Should I bite the bullet and just do it now or wait a while until I am more sure of everything?
Traci: Of course. It is still mostly the same, just a new design. Plus you paid for the latest operating systems every year when you bought your Mac, so take advantage of it.