macOS Big Sur 11.6 Update (20G165) is now available for all users!
Apple just dropped a new macOS Big Sur 11.6 Update! Let’s jump in and find out what’s new!
UPDATED: 10/01
This article just came across the wire.
Citizen Lab forwarded the artifacts to Apple on Tuesday, September 7. On Monday, September 13, Apple confirmed that the files included a zero-day exploit against iOS and MacOS. They designated the FORCEDENTRY exploit CVE-2021-30860, and describe it as “processing a maliciously crafted PDF may lead to arbitrary code execution.
https://citizenlab.ca/2021/09/forcedentry-nso-group-imessage-zero-click-exploit-captured-in-the-wild/
The 11.6 Update is looking more like an emergency security update!
Apple: NO FULL INSTALLER FOR YOU!
UPDATE: 10/01 Apple listened, and released a full installer of 11.6!
Normally Apple releases a full installer of macOS along with the OTA Delta update. When that did not happen, I thought it was strange right away.
A few of my fellow #MacAdmins sent in Enterprise Support tickets to ask Apple where the 11.6 full installer is.
Apple’s response?
“The macOS Big Sur Update is a security update only and we will not be releasing a full installer.”
WHAT?????
Did Apple forget about the Big Sur 11.5.1 Update?
Please reach out to Apple ASAP and let them know that we need a Full Installer and M1 IPSW restore file of 11.6.
11.6 is an Important Security Update
I’ve created a chart to help you better understand which versions of macOS are patched.
| CVE-2021-30860 (CoreGraphics) | https://cve.mitre.org/CVE-2021-30860 |
| Patched – 11.6 & 2021-005 | macOS Big Sur 11.6 & Catalina 2021-005 |
| Unknown | macOS Mojave & macOS Monterey |
| CVE-2021-30858 (WebKit) | https://cve.mitre.org/CVE-2021-30858 |
| Patched – Safari 14.1.2 | Big Sur 11.6, Catalina 14.1.2, Mojave 14.1.2 |
| Unknown | macOS Monterey |
“This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.”
As usual Apple has only given this phrase and nothing else to work with. We’ll need to decrypt this Apple macOS Update phrase.
11.5.2 = macOS Big Sur 11.5.2 includes bug fixes for your Mac.
11.5.1 = macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.
As you can see, 11.5.1 only fixed security issues and no bug fixes. The 11.5.2 update was just the opposite and only included bug fixes with no security fixes.
Also note that 11.5.2 was NOT recommended for “all users”
The 11.6 update is security related and IS “Recommended for all users“
Apple Security Document = 2 CVE Vulnerabilities
Apple posted a security document that tells us 2 CVE’s have been addressed in Core Graphics and WebKit.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212804
I just posted a new video on the macOS Big Sur 11.6 Update below.
macOS Big Sur 11.6 Update Summary
- 0 – New Features
- 0 – Resolved Issues
- 2 – Security Fixes
Table of Contents
- 1. Apple Links
- 2. Apple Articles of interest related to the macOS Big Sur Update
- 3. Undocumented macOS Big Sur Update changes & fixes
- 4. Big Sur 11 Final Release History
- 5. macOS Big Sur 11 Standalone Pkg downloads no longer available.
- 6. macOS Big Sur Full Installer.app
- 7. macOS Big Sur Update sizes for Intel and M1
- 8. Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update
- 9. Intel T2 BridgeOS Update
- 10. Apple Silicon IPSW Restore file Update
- 11. Safari Update
- 12. What’s new for enterprise in macOS Big Sur
- 13. Security Content of the macOS Big Sur Update
- 14. macOS Big Sur Release Notes / Patch Notes / Changes
Click “Continue Reading” for the rest of the article.
1. Apple Links
AppleSeed Notes Link = appleseed.apple.com/
Developer Public Link = developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes
Direct Link to macOS Big Sur Patch Notes – https://developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-big-sur-11_5-release-notes
macOS Deployment References Changes – https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment-reference-macos/document-revision-history-apd04dff7069/web
2. Articles of interest & info related to the macOS Big Sur Update
- 1. None as of right now.
3. Undocumented macOS Big Sur update changes & fixes
- 1. None as of right now.
4. Big Sur 11 Final Release History
- 14. Big Sur 11.6 (20G165) – 9/13/21 – Current Release
- 13. Big Sur 11.5.2 (20G95) – 8/11/21 – My Release Notes
- 12. Big Sur 11.5.1 (20G80) – 7/26/21 – My Release Notes
- 11. Big Sur 11.5 (20G71) – 7/21/21 – My Release Notes
- 10. Big Sur 11.4 (20F71) – 05/24/21 – My Release Notes
- 9. Big Sur 11.3.1 (20E241) – 05/03/21 – My Release Notes
- 8. Big Sur 11.3 (20E232) – 04/26/21 – My Release Notes
- 7. Big Sur 11.2.3 (20D91) – 03/08/21 – My Release Notes
- 6. Big Sur 11.2.2 (20D80) – 2/25/21 – My Release Notes
- 5. Big Sur 11.2.1 (20D74) – 02/09/21 – My Release Notes
- 4. Big Sur 11.2 (20D64) – 02/01/21 – My Release Notes
- 3. Big Sur 11.1 (20C69) – 12/14/20 – My Release Notes
- 2. Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B50) – 11/19/20 – My Release Notes
- 1. Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B29) – 11/12/20 – My Release Notes
5. macOS Big Sur 11 Standalone Pkg downloads no longer available.
Note: Starting with macOS Big Sur, Combo and Delta update pkg’s aka packages are not available as standalone downloads.
More Info – eclecticlight.co/2020/12/17/apple-has-stopped-providing-standalone-installers-for-macos-updates/
6. macOS Big Sur Full Installer.app
The full installer of MacOS Big Sur is – Now available!
In the link below, I have a listing and links to all of the Final & Beta versions of the macOS Big Sur Full installer.
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
InstallAssistant.pkg = Full download. Installing this package will add the full “Install macOS Big Sur.app” to your applications folder.
Link – macOS Big Sur Mac App Store
Requirements – macOS Big Sur 11 Requirements
7. macOS Big Sur Update sizes for Intel and M1
Apple Silicon M1 Update
Delta Update size for Apple Silicon M1 Mac devices. The size listed is for one update behind.
- 11. Big Sur 11.6 Update Size = 2.6 GB
- 10. Big Sur 11.5.2 Update Size = 2.2GB
- 9. Big Sur 11.5.1 Update Size = 2.31GB – (3.23GB Actual)
- 8. Big Sur 11.5 Update Size = 2.93GB – (3.84GB Actual)
- 7. Big Sur 11.4 Update Size = 3.06GB – (3.96GB Actual)
- 6. Big Sur 11.3 Update Size = 2.4GB – (3.30GB Actual)
- 5. Big Sur 11.2.3 Update Size = 5.71GB – (6.42GB Actual)
- 4. Big Sur 11.2.2 Update Size = 2.44GB – (3.37GB Actual)
- 3. Big Sur 11.2 Update Size = 2.5GB – (3.43GB Actual)
- 2. Big Sur 11.1 Update Size = 3.26GB – (4.19GB Actual)
- 1. Big Sur 11.0.1 Update Size 3.66GB – (4.59GB Actual)
Intel Big Sur Delta Update
This is the update is for updating from a previous version of Big Sur
11.5.1 > 11.6 = 2.6GB
11.5 > 11.6 = 2.7GB
11.4 > 11.6 = 2.9 GB
8. Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update
This update has a new firmware update. This version number is reported in System Information under “System Firmware Version“
Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update = NOT UPDATED!
Previous Firmware Updates
- 18. Big Sur 11.6 – 6723.140.2
- 17. Big Sur 11.5.2 – 6723.140.2
- 16. Big Sur 11.5.1 – 6723.140.2
- 15. Big Sur 11.5 – 6723.140.2
- 14. Big Sur 11.4 – 6723.120.36
- 13. Big Sur 11.3.1 – 6723.101.4
- 12. Big Sur 11.3 – 6723.101.4
- 11. Big Sur 11.2.3 – 6723.81.1
- 10. Big Sur 11.2.2 – 6723.81.1
- 9. Big Sur 11.2.1 – 6723.81.1
- 8. Big Sur 11.2 – 6723.81.1
- 5. Big Sur 11.1 – 6723.61.3
- 2. Big Sur 11.0.1 – 6723.50.2
- 1. Big Sur 11.0 – 6723.41.11
9. Intel T2 BridgeOS Update
The Version of BridgeOS for your T2 Security Chip (2018-2020 Intel Macs) was updated.
BridgeOS Version – NOT UPDATED = 18.16.14759.0.1
Previous T2 Bridge Updates
- 21. Big Sur 11.6 = 18.16.14759.0.1
- 20. Big Sur 11.5.2 = 18.16.14759.0.1
- 19. Big Sur 11.5.1 = 18.16.14759.0.1 – Build version 13
- 18. Big Sur 11.5 = 18.16.14759.0.1
- 17. Big Sur 11.4 = 18.16.14663.0.0
- 16. Big Sur 11.3.1 = 18.16.14556.0.0 – Build version 29
- 15. Big Sur 11.3 = 18.16.14556.0.0
- 14. Big Sur 11.2.3 = 18.16.14347.0.0 – Build version 5
- 13. Big Sur 11.2.2 = 18.16.14347.0.0
- 12. Big Sur 11.2.1 = 18.16.14346.0.0
- 11. Big Sur 11.2 = 18.16.14346.0.0
- 10. Big Sur 11.1 = 18.16.13030.0.0
- 9. Previous 11.1 Beta = 18.16.13017.5.3
- 8. Previous Beta RC2 = 18.16.12560.5.1
- 7. Previous Beta 11 = 18.15.12551
- 6. Previous Beta 10 = 18.16.12402.5.2
- 5. Previous Beta 9 = 18.16.12390.5.1
- 4. Previous Beta 8 = 18.16.12380 Build Version 3
- 3. Previous Beta 7 = 18.16.12380
- 2. Previous Beta 6 = 18.16.12370.5.1
- 1. Previous Beta 5 = 18.16.10358.5.2
10. Apple Silicon IPSW Restore file Update
Apple has released the full IPSW restore file for Apple Silicon Macs. I keep track of all of them in my Apple Silicon Firmware Database
https://mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/
- 13. macOS Big Sur 11.6 = N/A yet
- 12. macOS Big Sur 11.5.2 = UniversalMac_11.5.2_20G95_Restore.ipsw
- 11. macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 = UniversalMac_11.5.1_20G80_Restore.ipsw
- 10. macOS Big Sur 11.5 = UniversalMac_11.5_20G71_Restore.ipsw
- 9. macOS Big Sur 11.4 = UniversalMac_11.4_20F71_Restore.ipsw
- 8. macOS Big Sur 11.3.1 = UniversalMac_11.3.1_20E241_Restore.ipsw
- 7. macOS Big Sur 11.3 = UniversalMac_11.3_20E232_Restore.ipsw
- 6. macOS Big Sur 11.2.3 = UniversalMac_11.2.3_20D91_Restore.ipsw
- 5. macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 = UniversalMac_11.2.2_20D80_Restore.ipsw
- 4. macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 = UniversalMac_11.2.1_20D74_Restore.ipsw
- 3. macOS Big Sur 11.2 = UniversalMac_11.2_20D64_Restore.ipsw
- 2. macOS Big Sur 11.1 = UniversalMac_11.1_20C69_Restore.ipsw
- 1. macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 = UniversalMac_11.0.1_20B29_Restore.ipsw
11. Safari Update
The new version of Safari was included in the macOS Big Sur update.
Even though the security update mentions that WebKit was fixed, the build number did NOT change for the 11.6 version of Safari.
- 7. Big Sur 11.6 = 14.1.2 (16611.3.10.1.6)
- 6. Big Sur 11.5.2 = 14.1.2 (16611.3.10.1.6)
- 5. Big Sur 11.5.1 = Safari 14.1.2 (16611.3.10.1.3) Same as 11.5 Update
- 4. Big Sur 11.5 = Safari 14.1.2 (16611.3.10.1.3)
- 3. Big Sur 11.4 = Safari 14.1.1 (16611.2.7.1.4)
- 2. Big Sur 11.3.1 = Safari 14.1 (16611.1.21.161.6)
- 1. Big SUr 11.3 = Safari 14.1 (16611.1.21.161.3)
12. What’s new for Enterprise in macOS Big Sur
New Enterprise Features
None at this moment.
Fixed Enterprise Issues
None at this moment.
13. Security Content of macOS Big Sur
Apple’s main Security Document for all OS security updates.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
14. macOS Big Sur 11.6 (20G165) Release Notes
Apple did not release patch notes for the 11.6 update. The update only includes security fixes.
Second machine I have upgraded to Big Sur 11.6 in last two weeks:
This machine: late 2009, 27 inch iMac, EMC 2309 (I think), iMac model 11,1; 2.8GHz, quad core i7; ATI Radeon 4670 (4870 went bad and had this GPU laying around); 16GB RAM
Has anyone else seen this – when I put the computer to sleep, and then awaken it, I get ghosting, i.e., little black boxes that follow the cursor wherever I move it. Eventually entire display is little black boxes and bigger black boxes. Nothing works basically
However, if I lock the screen, then I can awaken the screen by pushing any key and display is fine, with no issues
BTW, I did not have to use ResXtreme with this GPU
Thanks again for your excellent video.
Mike M
Is anyone experiencing bluetooth issues with the last update of MacOS? The 11.6 has returned the bluetooth issues I have had before. Now my bluetooth earphones can only be used (and I kid you not) 2 to 3 seconds and then my MacBook Air M1 disconnects the headset. It’s frustrating beyond words. Even have ideas to stop using Macs… (probably not, but the quality seems to get less reliable).
Is there something I can do? Now I am convicted again to use wired earphones which is dreadful and awkward. Anyone who can help, please let me know.
I updated my system to 11.6 but Software Update shows me another update. However I cannot check it since my IT dept has software update locked down. Can anyone confirm what exactly is the update ?
11.6 full installer is released.
No not yet, most likely tomorrow.
Curious that we’ve now got the IPSW and InstallAssistant.pkg (thanks for links!) but still the MAS is outdated. I can’t really expect (or I’m just not surprised) that Apple don’t want to update the installers with security patches (they haven’t with earlier versions) but Big Sur is still stable so I hope they rethink. Also, maybe Monterey is really close now?
Here’s the link to download 11.6 (it’s label as 11.5.2 but will download 11.6 full installer) through the App Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?mt=12
Hi Mr. Mac ! I loved your video “Big Sur Upgrade Not Enough Free Space Boot Loop FIX [DEEP DIVE] Full report & Detailed Instructions!” I’m still in an loop !! and I can’t get out, can’t use target mode to another computer tried 4 machines, won’t let me see the disc, I can’t use terminal, I’m not seeing the directories clearly to delete files through the command prompts, any other suggestions on how to delete files to make space? Recovery mode only offers me to finish the Big Sur 11. 6 update Once I get there, I’m back to the same screen (“there is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the OS…”). Was running 11.5.2 before the security patch update. I’ve now downloaded 11.5.2 to a USB to try and use a Bootable Drive, but I don’t know how to get it on there, as the only option is to select vs. the new Big Sur option… My disk is full, I know that’s the issue. Any help you could offer?? Thank you so much. Apple is no help.
Athena, so you updated to 11.6 and got the Mac would not boot back into the OS? Did you have low space?