Apple has announced a November 12 launch for its latest version of MacOS, called Big Sur. It’s the 17th major update to MacOS, the operating system formerly known as OS X.
MacOS Big Sur brings a variety of minor tweaks alongside a major revision to the look and the feel of MacOS, which once again is receiving a new coat of paint to keep Apple’s design consistent across its devices. Big Sur presents a flatter look that’s more consistent with iOS. It also updates many icons and menus to a look that is familiar to iPhone and iPad owners.
In addition, MacOS Big Sur is heavily optimized for Apple’s custom ARM-based silicon, the M1 chip. For devices with the M1 chip, the operating system delivers improvements that make Safari 1.5 times faster, and 1.9 times more responsive.
But it’s not all about the M1 chip. Big Sur also makes an effort to improve usability, with a focus on applications and services that are available across Mac, iPad, and iPhone. The Messages app, for example, is getting a major overall that brings in features previously reserved for iOS. The Photos app has been updated to look more like the iPadOS version while adding functionality for Mac users. And the notification center is getting a major overhaul that, once again, looks similar to iOS, but also adds new options.
You should be able to download MacOS Big Sur on Thursday, November 12 on the Mac App Store. The delivery of the new operating system is usually gradual, however, with not all users receiving access to the update at the same time. If you don’t see the update immediately, you’ll simply have to wait — perhaps for awhile. It’s not unusual for some users to see an update several days after it’s officially released.
Check out our roundup of Big Sur’s best features for more, as well as our guide to downloading MacOS Big Sur.