Apple Seeds Second macOS Monterey Release Candidate to Developers

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the second release candidate version of macOS Monterey, the newest version of the macOS operating system. The release candidate represents the final version of macOS Monterey that will be released to the public, and it comes just a few days after the first RC.

The release candidate is listed as version 12.0.1, presumably because Apple has made a few tweaks since 12.0 started being loaded onto the new MacBook Pro models, so the official release version made available to everyone on Monday and as an update for new MacBook Pro owners will be 12.0.1.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.

With the first RC, Apple introduced sweeping changes to Safari, undoing many of the design tweaks that were implemented in the Monterey beta testing process. Safari by default now looks like Safari did in macOS Big Sur, but there is a "Compact" toggle to turn on the new Monterey design for those who prefer it.

Though the Safari changes have been undone, macOS Monterey introduces quite a few new features. There's a new AirPlay to Mac feature, and Safari still has support for Tab Groups for organizing tabs.

FaceTime has gained spatial audio, a Portrait Mode on M1 Macs, and Voice Isolation for cutting out background noise. Shared With You keeps track of the music, links, podcasts, news, and photos that people are sent in Messages, highlighting it in the relevant apps. Notes has a new Quick Note feature for jotting down thoughts, and collaboration is easier with mentions and an Activity View.

The Shortcuts app from iOS is now available on the Mac, and Focus helps people stay on task by cutting out background distractions. There's an updated Maps app with a whole slew of new features, and with Live Text, Macs can now detect text in photos or provide details on animals, art, landmarks, plants, and more in images.

Mail Privacy Protection hides IP and prevents tracking through invisible pixels, and iCloud Private Relay keeps Safari browsing protected.

In the future, Apple plans to add SharePlay to macOS Monterey for FaceTime users, and there's a new Universal Control feature coming, which is designed to allow multiple Macs and iPads to be controlled with a single mouse and keyboard. SharePlay and Universal Control will not be available in the launch version of macOS Monterey.

There are many other new features in macOS Monterey, with a full rundown available in our macOS Monterey roundup. macOS Monterey is set to be released next Monday.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Second macOS Monterey Release Candidate to Developers

 

[Think|Different]

Definitely why I don't even bother with MacOS till release day. Even then, sure, could have bugs, but at least you know it's the real RC RC.

 

[DHagan4755]

Not that it's too big of a deal, but it's not a good user experience to buy a brand new MacBook Pro & it already needs a system software update.

 

[The Banker]

I already got this update this morning? Or was the previous RC / GM also called 12.0.1?

 

[pshifrin]

Had already downloaded RC 12.0.1 on an M1 MacMini 1.73gb update downloading now.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I guess this is what is likely being loaded onto the new MBPs.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I guess this is what is likely being loaded onto the new MBPs.

I'm guessing 12.0 or 12.0.1 RC 1 is on them

 

[Unsupported]

I already got this update this morning? Or was the previous RC / GM also called 12.01?

While the previous macOS Monterey RC build number is 21A558, today’s build number is 21A559.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I'll wait for RC 6.3.

 

[Bustycat]

I'm guessing RC 1 is on them

Just like how Apple did with the earliest M1 models, the exclusively 12.0 (not 12.0.1) will be installed.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Just like how Apple did with the earliest M1 models, the exclusively 12.0 (not 12.0.1) will be installed.

Or more likely that, yeah. Either way, not this build from today.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Woo hoo! Can’t wait for the release

 

[Amazing Iceman]

This one may be the final... or not!

 

[SaxPlayer]

but there is a "Compact" toggle to turn on the new Monterey design for those who prefer it.

So that'll be literally no one, then.

 

[Windoes]

Oh hey, we're close now

 

[DFZD]

Tomorrow's headline on Apple reporting websites - Apple has improved updates and issue response after Jone Ive left, says Bloomberg report.

 

[H2SO4]

Whatever happened to the term, 'Golden Master'?

 

[podycust]

Whatever happened to the term, 'Golden Master'?

Replaced with Release Candidate

 

[rtkane]

Wonder if this is public now. I updated to 21A558 this morning (public beta), had no more updates after, then checked again and it's downloading another version of 12.0.1 now.

 

[randolorian]

Whatever happened to the term, 'Golden Master'?

Anything with the word "master" in it seems to have fallen out of favor these days.

 

[gank41]

Still not seeing this as an available update on my end.

(never mind, I had removed the Dev Profile. All is well again )

 

[randolorian]

21A559

 

[hagjohn]

Not that it's too big of a deal, but it's not a good user experience to buy a brand new MacBook Pro & it already needs a system software update.

You have to run software update on virtually every piece of hardware these days.

I uninstalled my beta profile thinking it was RC, so oh well. I'll till next week. I'm not having any big issues on my M1 Mini with the 1st RC.

 

[BigBlur]

So that'll be literally no one, then.

Guess I'm a "no one" then. I haven't upgraded to Monterey yet, but I'm already using the compact design in Big Sur and love it.

 

[MLVC]

So that'll be literally no one, then.

Well I have it turned on, I prefer the Compact design.