MacOS Big Sur 11 – Index of Need to Know Changes & Links UPDATED!

MrMacintosh.com - MacOS Big Sur 10.16 - Updated Index of Need to Know Changes & Links
MacOS Big Sur 11.0 – Updated Index of Need to Know Changes & Links

WWDC 2020 – macOS Big Sur 11.0

WWDC is here again! For the first time ever, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference will be 100% Virtual. MacAdmins everywhere are wondering what changes macOS Big Sur will bring and how deployment workflows will be affected. I hope to help you answer multiple question with this article. This year I will follow the same format as my previous MacOS 10.15 Catalina – Updated Index of Need to Know Changes & Links post. Be sure to check back frequently, I will keep you up to date with the latest macOS Big Sur 11.0 changes!

Updates

Follow Me on Twitter @ClassicII_MrMac

#macOSBigSurChanges – will be the hashtag to follow for updates to this article.

Table of Contents – UPDATED 10/08/20

  • 1. MacOS Big Sur Release Date
  • 2. MacOS Big Sur Compatible Devices
  • 3. MacOS Big Sur Compatibility Requirements
  • 4. How To Download macOS Big Sur Beta
  • 5. How To Block macOS Big Sur 11.0
  • 6. Changes of Interest for MacAdmins
  • 7. 3rd Party Vendor Software Issues on Big Sur
  • 8. Previous macOS Big Sur Beta Releases
  • 9. OS Level Changes
  • 10. Security & Privacy Changes
  • 11. Apple Silicon (ARM Processor)
  • 12. Rosetta 2 Intel app Emulator
  • 13. Kexts, System Extensions & Drivers
  • 14. macOS Big Sur Virtualization
  • 15. Apple Links
  • 16. WWDC20 Video Links
  • 17. Big Sur 11.0 Beta 1 Patch Notes
  • 18. MacAdmin Blog Links
  • 19. Vendor Links
  • 20. Miscellaneous Links
  • 21. New Software Update Catalog URL
  • 22. MacAdmins Big Sur Community Feedback Form
  • 23. Big Sur Wallpaper

1. MacOS Big Sur 11 Release Date

The release date for macOS Big Sur 11 is “Coming this fall” – apple.com/macos/big-sur-preview/

2. macOS Big Sur 11.0 Compatible Devices

Below is the list of compatible Macs / Supported Devices that can run 11.0.

  • 1. iMac 2014+
  • 2. iMac Pro 2017
  • 3. Mac Pro 2013+
  • 4. MacMini 2014+
  • 5. MacBook 2015+
  • 6. MacBook Air 2013+
  • 7. MacBook Pro 2013+
  • RIP
  • Mac mini (Late 2012)
  • iMac (Late 2012-2013)
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2012)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 & Retina)
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur 11.0 System Requirements
macOS Big Sur 11.0 – 10.16 System Requirements

3. MacOS Big Sur 11 Compatibility Requirements

macOS Big Sur 11 Minimum System Requirements

Minimum OS & Available Storage Space are still unknown as of now.

  • 4GB Ram
  • Intel Core M Processor 1.1GHz
  • Minimum OS = 10.10? (Catalina minimum upgrade OS)
  • 50.33GB looks to be the minimum Fresh Install Space Requirement?
  • 12.5GB of Available storage Space = Fresh Install? (Catalina Requirement)
  • 18.5GB of Available storage space = For Upgrade? (Catalina Requirement)

4. How To Download macOS Big Sur 11 Beta

How to download macOS Big Sur 11 from Apple

sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil enroll DeveloperSeed

softwareupdate -la

sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.16

From Apple via open source scripts & free app tools.

5. How to Block macOS Big Sur 11.0 / 10.16

Jamf Pro – Use Application Restrictions to block the two apps below.

Dev Beta profile enrollment install application

macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.pkg

The installer for the Big Sur Beta is

Install macOS Beta.app

HT to Jamfnation.com forum user TPG33k

NOTE: I have included articles for 10.15 until we have more information on if the solutions will work on 11.0 or not.

6. Changes of Interest for MacAdmins

3rd Party Kernel Extension loading on Big Sur – Apple says that Kernel Extensions can be manually loaded but the process can NOT be automated.

MrMacintosh.com - Changes to Kext-Loading in macOS Big Sur 11
Changes to Kext-Loading in macOS Big Sur 11

Automated Device Enrollment Auto Advance for Mac

  • 1. Plug in Power and Ethernet
  • 2. Boot Mac
  • 3. DEP starts automatically
  • 4. Land at login window
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Automated Device Enrollment Auto Advance for Mac
macOS Big Sur Automated Device Enrollment Auto Advance for Mac

Downloaded Profiles for Mac

  • 1. Downloaded Profile Protections
  • 2. You need to approve the profile in the Profiles Pane. The approval requires an admin password.
  • 3. The profile only remains in the profiles pane for 8 min
  • 4. Profile install with the Profiles binary can no longer be automated. The 2nd step needs user input in the profiles pane to finish the install.
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Downloaded Profiles for Mac
macOS Big Sur Downloaded Profiles for Mac

Content Caching Improvements

  • 1. Content Cashing now supports Internet Recovery!
  • 2. Initial Boot image is not included
  • 3. Full 6GB Recovery Image is cached.
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Content Caching Improvements
macOS Big Sur Content Caching Improvements

Bootstrap Tokens

  • 1. Bootstrap expanded to include Local Accounts!
  • 2. Ability to authorize software Updates?
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Bootstrap Token now works for local accounts!
macOS Big Sur Bootstrap Token now works for local accounts!

Managed Software Update

  • 1. iOS Style Software Updates > Mac
  • 2. New MDM Commands for Software Update
  • 3. Forcing Client Macs to Accept Software Updates & Restart
  • 4. Defer major OS Updates for 90 Days
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Managed Software Update changes
macOS Big Sur Managed Software Update changes

Networksetup limitations for standard users

  • 1. Admins and Standard users had the same abilities to view and modify network settings from CLI
  • 2. Standard = Only Read Network settings, turn wifi on/off & change access point
  • 3. Admins can still use sudo
MrMacintosh.com - Networksetup limitations for standard users
macOS Big Sur Networksetup limitations for standard users

Mac Serial Number Format Change

  • 1. Serial Numbers contained info on when and where the devices was built
  • 2. Change was made to address identifiable info being used maliciously
  • 3. New completely random 10 character serial numbers across all product lines
MrMacintosh.com - macOS Big Sur Mac Serial Number Format Change
macOS Big Sur Mac Serial Number Format Change

Supervision for User Approved MDM

  • 1. Previously, User Approved MDM didn’t have the same capabilities as Supervised Macs / Automated Device Enrolled Macs (DEP).
  • 2. User approved MDM (UAMDM) now = Supervision!!!
MrMacintosh.com - Supervision for User Approved MDM
macOS Big Sur – Supervision for User Approved MDM

MDM Updates

MrMacintosh - macOS Big Sur MDM Changes
macOS Big Sur MDM Changes

7. 3rd Party Vendor Software Issues on Big Sur Beta

8. Previous macOS Big Sur 11.0 Releases

  • 9. Big Sur 11 Beta 9 (20A5384c) – 09/29/20 – Current Release
  • 8. Big Sur 11 Beta 8 (20A5374i) – 09/22/20 – My Release Notes
  • 7. Big Sur 11 Beta 7 (20A5374g) – 09/17/20 – My Release Notes
  • 6. Big Sur 11 Beta 6 (20A5364e) – 09/03/20 – My Release Notes
  • 5. Big Sur 11 Beta 5 (20A5354i) – 08/19/20 – My Release Notes
  • 4. Big Sur 11 Beta 4 (20A5343i) – 08/04/20
  • 3. Big Sur 11 Beta 3 (20A5323l) – 07/22/20
  • 2. Big Sur 11 Beta 2 (20A4300b) – 07/07/20 – My Release Notes
  • 1. Big Sur 11 Beta 1 (20A4299v) – 06/22/20 – My Release Notes

For reference, the macOS Catalina 10.15 Beta release schedule is listed below.

9. OS Level Changes

macOS Big Sur brings a refined new design, powerful controls, and intuitive customization options to the most advanced desktop operating system in the world.

  • Faster updates – Once macOS Big Sur is installed, software updates begin in the background and complete faster than before — so it’s easier than ever to keep your Mac up to date and secure.
  • Updated menu bar – The menu bar is now taller and more translucent, allowing your desktop picture to extend from edge to edge. Words lighten or darken based on the color of your desktop picture. And pull-down menus are larger, with more space between the lines to make everything easier to read.
  • Floating Dock – The redesigned Dock is lifted from the bottom of your display and is more translucent, allowing your desktop wallpaper to shine through. And app icons are all-new and even easier to recognize.
  • Updated Notification Center – A redesigned Notification Center puts all your notifications and widgets into a single, dedicated column. Notifications are automatically sorted by most recent, and redesigned Today widgets deliver information at a glance.
  • New icons for apps – App icons have been redesigned to feel both familiar and fresh. Icons have a uniform shape but retain the stylistic touches and details that give Mac its character.
  • New and updated sounds – System sounds are all-new and even more pleasing to the ear. The new system alerts were created using snippets of the originals, so they sound familiar.
  • New Control Center – Designed just for Mac, the new Control Center consolidates your favorite menu bar items into a single place to give you instant access to the controls you use most. Just click the Control Center icon in the menu bar and adjust Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and other settings — without opening System Preferences.

10. Security & Privacy Changes

  • Installing a Custom Kernel Extension – Install kernel extensions using a custom installer package, and help users understand the installation process.– developer.apple.com/documentation/apple_silicon/installing_a_custom_kernel_extension
  • Signed system volume – macOS Big Sur introduces a cryptographically signed system volume that protects against malicious tampering. It also means that your Mac knows the exact layout of your system volume, allowing it to begin software updates in the background while you work.
  • Safari extensions on the App Store – An all-new extensions category on the App Store showcases Safari extensions with editorial spotlights and top charts, making it easier to discover great extensions from developers. All extensions are reviewed, signed, and hosted by Apple for your security.
  • Privacy information on the App Store – A new section on each app’s page on the App Store will help you understand the privacy practices of the app before you download it.9 It’s similar to the way nutrition labels help you understand what’s in food before you buy it.
  • Self-reported privacy practices – Developers self-report their app privacy practices on the App Store.9 See the types of data their app might collect — like usage data, contact information, or location — and whether that data is shared with third parties.
  • App Privacy is Displayed in a simple format – Just as nutrition labels are convenient and easy to read, an app’s privacy information on the App Store is displayed in a consistent, simple format.9 This lets you quickly and easily understand the app’s privacy practices.

11. Apple Silicon (New Mac ARM Processor)

12. Rosetta 2 Intel app Emulator

13. Kernel Extensions (Kexts), System Extensions & Drivers

14. macOS Big Sur Virtualization

VMWare Fusion 11.5.5

Parallels Desktop 15 & Pro Edition

ESXi Version 7

I wrote an article on how to install macOS Big Sur 11 on VMware Fusion 11.5 and Parallels Desktop 15.

mrmacintosh.com/how-to-install-macos-big-sur-beta-on-vmware-fusion-parallels-desktop/

15. Apple Links

WWDC20 Keynote – apple.com/apple-events/june-2020/

2. macOS 11.0 Big Sur – apple.com/macos/big-sur-preview/

3. macOS 11.0 Big Sur Features – https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur-preview/features/

4. macOS 11.0 Big Sur Design Video – apple.com/105/media/us/macos/big-sur-preview/2020/f14b0c7e-9f7e-4b9f-bd0c-b4b86ee46c92/films/design/macos-design-tpl-cc-us-2020_1280x720h.m3u8

5. 11.0 Public Beta Release Notes – developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-big-sur-11-beta-release-notes

6. Apple Developer Forums – All new for 2020 – developer.apple.com/forums/

7. Xcode 12 Beta Release Notes – developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode-release-notes/xcode-12-beta-release-notes

8. Xcode 12 for macOS Universal Apps Beta Release Notes – developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode-release-notes/xcode-12-for-macos-universal-apps-beta-release-notes

9. FeedBack Assistant. developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/ – feedbackassistant.apple.com/welcome

10. What’s New for Enterprise and Education WWDC 2020 June 2020 (v1.0) (AppleSeed Account Required) – appleseed.apple.com

11. AppleSeed – macOS 11.0 Big Sur Beta 1 (20A4299v) Release Notes (AppleSeed Account Required) – appleseed.apple.com

16. WWDC20 Video Links

  • Platforms State of the Union – iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS Join the worldwide developer community for an in-depth look at the future of Apple platforms, directly from Apple Park. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/102/
  • Adopt the new look of macOS – Make over your Mac apps: Discover how you can embrace the new design of macOS Big Sur and adopt its visual hierarchy, design patterns, and behaviors. We’ll explore the latest updates to AppKit around structural items and common controls, and show you how you can adapt more customized interfaces. – /developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10104/
  • Create great enterprise apps. A chat with Box’s Aaron Levie iOS, macOS Discover how organizations like Box are adapting to changing conditions in the business world and remote work. Listen to Apple’s Vice President of Cloud Services Mike Abbott and Box CEO and co-founder Aaron Levie chat about the modern working environment, how cloud-based apps are helping people. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10204/
  • Port your Mac app to Apple Silicon – Your porting questions, answered: Learn how to recompile your macOS app for Apple Silicon Macs and build universal apps that launch faster, have better performance, and support the future of the platform. We’ll show you how Xcode makes it simple to build a universal macOS binary. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10214/
  • What’s new in managing Apple devices. – iOS, macOS, tvOS We’ve made significant strides in bringing crucial device management features to macOS. Discover how these features can help you manage your all your devices using the same tools and technologies. Get details on changes coming this year and how they will impact your deployment workflows– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10639/

Part 2

  • iPad and iPhone apps on Apple Silicon Macs. – Apple Silicon Macs can run many iPad and iPhone apps as-is, and these apps will be made available to users on the Mac through the Mac App Store. Discover how iPad and iPhone apps run on Apple Silicon Macs, and the factors that make your apps come across better.– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10114/
  • Build an Endpoint Security app – System Extensions improve the reliability and security of macOS. Learn about the modern replacement for Kernel Authorization KPIs and discover tips for making a great security product with the Endpoint Security framework. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10159/
  • Custom app distribution with Apple Business Manager – Apple Business Manager is the best way to manage and deploy business apps to your employees and customers. Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or IT administrator, we’ll showcase the benefits of Custom apps for each role and provide guidance on each step in the process. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10667/
  • Explore the new system architecture of Apple Silicon Macs – Discover how Macs with Apple Silicon will deliver modern advantages using Apple’s System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture. Leveraging a unified memory architecture for CPU and GPU tasks, Mac apps will see amazing performance benefits. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10686/
  • Leverage enterprise identity and authentication – Empower your organization with the right tools while protecting privacy and security. Discover Apple’s identity management tools for enterprise, and how they can help you create a smoother experience for users when signing in to devices, apps and websites. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10139/
  • Introducing StoreKit Testing in Xcode – Discover StoreKit Testing in Xcode — a local environment for testing your in-app purchases without needing to connect to App Store servers. We’ll show you how to set up a test environment, create a StoreKit configuration file, and prepare to validate receipts locally. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10659/

Part 3

  • Discover AppleSeed for IT and Managed Software Updates – With AppleSeed for IT, you can help your school or business test pre-release versions of Apple software and provide valuable feedback directly to Apple. We’ll guide you through getting started in AppleSeed for IT and provide insight on how to file great feedback collaboratively. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10138/
  • Boost performance and security with modern networking – Speed up your app and make it more nimble, private and secure with modern networking APIs. Learn about networking protocols like IPv6, HTTP/2, TLS 1.3 and Encrypted DNS, and how incorporating these within your app and server can provide faster performance and reduce both your power consumption – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10111/
  • What’s new in Education. – For over 40 years, Apple has been working with educators to create technologies for students, teachers, and school administrators and help them share in a rich and meaningful learning experience. Explore the breadth of Apple’s education technologies, including classroom management apps and tools. – developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10658/
  • What’s new in Mac Catalyst – Discover the latest updates to Mac Catalyst and find out how you can bring your iPadOS app to the Mac. Explore enhancements to the application lifecycle, integrate new extensions into your apps, and learn how the new look and feel of macOS impacts Mac Catalyst apps. –developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10143/
  • Build trust through better privacy – Privacy is a more important issue than ever. Learn about Apple’s privacy pillars, our approach to privacy, and how to adopt the latest features on our platforms that can help you earn customer trust, create more personal experiences, and improve engagement. –developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10676/

17. macOS Big Sur 11.0 Beta 1 & 2 Release Notes

18. MacAdmin Blog Links

This list is specifically for MacAdmins. This will be an ongoing list of articles and posts that will help you learn the latest 11.0 changes.

Rich Trouton – WWDC20 Notes – derflounder.wordpress.com/2020/06/23/wwdc-2020-notes/

Howard Oakley – electiclight.co

Scripting OS X

MrMacintosh.com

19. Vendor Links

SimpleMDM – New MDM Features Coming in macOS 11 Big Sur & iOS 14 – simplemdm.com/mdm-ios-14-macos-11-big-sur/

MicroMDM – Victor Vrantchan – WWDC20: What’s new in managing Apple devices – micromdm.io/blog/wwdc20-what-s-new-in-managing/

20. Miscellaneous 11.0 Links

21. New Software Update Catalog URL

installinstallmacos.py was updated yesterday to support macOS Big Sur. Be sure that you are using the latest version!

If you would like to download macOS Big Sur via installinstallmacos.py, run this command

/Users/Shared/installinstallmacos.py --seedprogram DeveloperSeed

The new Big Sur 11 Beta URL is listed in full below

https://swscan.apple.com/content/catalogs/others/index-10.16seed-10.16-10.15-10.14-10.13-10.12-10.11-10.10-10.9-mountainlion-lion-snowleopard-leopard.merged-1.sucatalog

22. MacAdmins Big Sur Community Feedback Form

MacAdmin @bp created a Google Form to track community feedback for macOS Big Sur. Use this form to include your FeedBack Assistant feedback request #.

Big Sur 11.0 changes

23. Big Sur Wallpaper

Big-Sur-GraphicDownload
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