MacOS Monterey

As is the norm, Apple uses its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) back in june to showcase its new mega-update for Mac, namely macOS 12: Monterey and, like the also-announced iOS/iPadOS. Monterey makes it easier to work and collaborate remotely and share experiences with our friends and family through some brilliant new FaceTime enhancements. Over the following pages i will show you exactly what you can expect when macOS 12: Monterey is officially rolled out this autumn. But be aware that even though the update will run on most Macs from 2015 or later. Not all of them will be able to run all of the new features, with some requiring the power of the new M1 chip. So check before installing.

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macOS Monterey upgrade for your Mac

macOS Monterey questions answered

Will macOS Monterey run on my Mac?
The following Macs will be able to run Monterey: MacBook 2016 or later, MacBook Air 2015 or later, MacBook Pro 2015 or later, iMac (autumn) 2015 or later, Mac mini (autumn) 2014 or later, iMac Pro (all models), Mac Pro 2013 or later.


When will macOS Monterey be released?
The official word is that macOS 12.0 will be a free download coming this autumn. Traditionally, new update drop in late September following their announcement at WWDC the previous june. however, the previous two have dropped in October.


What Monterey features will run on my Mac?
FaceTime Portrait mode, Live Text, On-Device Dictation and the interactive global and 3D cities in the Map app all require M1 Macs. Spatial Audio requires a 2018 (or later) Mac and for Universal Control you'll need a 2016 (or later) Mac.


How can i get macOS Monterey right now?
Go to beta.apple.com and sign up to the beta program to download the latest public beta of macOS Monterey. Make sure that you back up your Mac before installing and be aware that betas tend to be glitchy and less stable than finished builds.


macOS Monterey: Universal Control

This new feature makes it effortless to move between your Apple devices and use one keyboard and mouse/trackpad to control them all.


macOS Monterey: Safari

Apples own web browsing app, Safari, will feature some significant upgrades in macOS Monterey. As well as new intelligent tracking prevention to prevent iP address profiling.Safari, Shortcuts, Focus


macOS Monterey: Focus

An extension of Do Not Disturb, which currently exists in macOS, focus will allow you to match your your devices to your mindset and automatically filter notification based on what you are currently doing.

Screenshot on a Mac

New Screenshot app

Rather than existing as a cmd+shift+5 shortcut, the screenshot utility will be available as a standalone app in macOS Monterey. it's still just a strip of options, though.


Custom mouse pointer

Custom mouse pointer

Via System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Pointer, you'll be able to change the outline and fill colour of your mouse cursor to any combination of colours that you want.

Shortcuts is now a universal app across iOS and Mac

Shortcuts comes to Mac

Shortcuts is now a universal app across iOS and Mac and features its own updated Mac Gallery of prebuilt shortcuts that you can download and customise.


New screensaver comes to macOS

Hello Screensaver

The cool new retro-style M1 Mac Hello Screensaver and selection of wallpapers will be available to select and use on any Mac running macOS Monterey.

Redesign Books app for macOS
Redesign Book app

The macOS Books app has been refreshed to include the Reading Goals, Want to Read and Reading Now features that were previously only available on iOS.

Focus, An extension of Do Not Disturb will allow you to match your devices to your mindset
Stay in Focus

Go to System preferences > Notifications and then you'll be able to click on the new Focus and tab at the top of the window to get started personalising your Focus settings.

An A to Z of new features in Monterey

Proven ways to speed up your productivity and reclaim minutes, if not hours, every day.

AirPlay to Mac

play audio, video, photos and more from a connected iPhone/iPad/Mac (various).

Digital Legacy

Method to remove activation lock from someone's devices after death (general).

Focus

Managed notifications and distractions (Notification & Focus).

Intelligent Tracking Prevention

Technology to prevent trackers (Safari).

Live Text

Real-time optical character recognition of text in images (various).

Look Up

Live Text linked to additional info from Sir and Apple apps (Various.)

Low Power Mode

Reduced display brightness and CPU clock speed to prolong battery endurance (laptops).

Mail Privacy Protection

Technology to prevent sender from gaining info about you via email (Mail).

Memories

Played albums of themed images (Photos).

Object Capture

For building 3D models of objects from multiple images (apps to be released).

Portrait Mode

Focus on person, blur background (FaceTime).

Private Relay

iCloud services to protect Privacy when browsing (safari).