macOS Monterey 12.2 Update (21D49) What’s New?

macOS Monterey 12.2 is now available!

UPDATED: 02/01

Apple just released its 2nd major update to macOS Monterey. Let’s jump in and see what’s new in this update!

Quick Summary

1. Public release updated from from RC version – 12.2 RC = 21D48 – 12.2 Public = 21D49
2. Apple update text = “macOS 12.2 includes bug fixes and security updates for your Mac and is recommended for all users.” Detailed patch notes not released.
3. 12.2 is available as a delta update, Full Installer & M1 IPSW Restore file
4. Universal Control = N/A in 12.2 – Delayed until Spring 2022
5. Memory Leaks – Some of the memory leaks were fixed in 12.1. Some users have reported that the windowserver memory leaks remained in 12.1. Waiting on reports from 12.2 users. UPDATE: Some users are still reporting memory leaks after updating to 12.2.
6. macOS Monterey Upgrade Notifications are now being sent out. (macOS Big Sur and below)
7. safarileaks.com security vulnerability fixed in Safari 15.3
8. Music.app rebuilt as a full native application. (Previously it was just web content loaded into into the window)
9. Safari 15.3 Released as a separate update for macOS Big Sur & macOS Catalina
10. Printnightmare (Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability) fixed in Monterey 12.3 & Big Sur 11.6.3. Macs can now print to a Windows print server again.
11. The macOS Monterey 12.2 Update has a sleep Bluetooth battery drain issue when a mouse or keyboard is wirelessly connected! After sleeping overnight the battery will be dead on your MacBook Pro. More info in my video – https://youtu.be/L0DXObzGxgs

macOS Monterey Patch Notes Summary

• 1. New Features – 1
• 2. Resolved Issues – 1
• 3. Security Fixes – 13
• 4. Enterprise Fixes- 4
• 5. Undocumented Fixes – 1

Full Apple OS Release list

• 1. iOS 15.3 (19D50)
• 2. iPadOS 15.3 (19D50)
• 3. tvOS 15.3 (19K547)
• 4. HomePodOS 15.3 (19K547) 
• 5. watchOS 8.4 (19S546)
• 6. Monterey 12.2 (21D49)
• 7. Big Sur 11.6.3 (20G415)
• 8. Catalina Security Update 2022-001 (19H1713)

Table of Contents

• 1. Apple Links
• 2. Mr. Macintosh articles of interest for Apple Silicon & macOS Monterey
• 3. Undocumented macOS Monterey Update changes & fixes
• 4. Monterey Release History
• 5. macOS Monterey Full Installer.app
• 6. Apple Silicon IPSW Restore file Update
• 7. macOS Monterey Update sizes for Intel and M1
• 8. Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update
• 9. Intel T2 BridgeOS Update
• 10. Safari Update
• 11. What’s new for enterprise in macOS Monterey
• 12. Security Content of macOS Monterey
• 13. macOS Monterey 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

macOS Deployment References Changes – https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment-reference-macos/document-revision-history-apd04dff7069/web

2. Articles of interest & info related to macOS Monterey

• 1. None

3. Undocumented macOS Monterey changes & fixes

• 1. None

4. Monterey Release History

• 15. Monterey 12.2 (21D49) -1/24/22 – My Release Notes
• 14. Monterey 12.1 (21C52) – 12/13/21 – My Release Notes
• 13. Monterey 12.0.1 Final (21A559) – 10/25/21 – My Release Notes
• 12. Monterey 12.0.1 RC2 (21A559) – 10/21/21 – My Release Notes
• 11. Monterey 12.0.1 RC (21A558) – 10/18/21 – My Release Notes
• 10. Monterey Beta 10 (21A5552a) – 10/13/21 – My Release Notes
• 9. Monterey Beta 9 (21A5543b) – 10/06/21 – My Release Notes
• 8. Monterey Beta 8 (21A5534d) – 9/28/21 – My Release Notes
• 7. Monterey Beta 7 (21A5522h) – 9/21/21 – My Release Notes
• 6. Monterey Beta 6 (21A5506j) – 8/30/21 – My Release Notes
• 5. Monterey Beta 5 (21A5304g) – 8/09/21 – My Release Notes
• 4. Monterey Beta 4 (21A5294g) – 7/27/21 – My Release Notes
• 3. Monterey Beta 3 (21A5284e) – 7/14/21 – My Release Notes
• 2. Monterey Beta 2 (21A5268h) – 6/28/21 – My Release Notes
• 1. Monterey Beta 1 (21A5248p) – 6/07/21 – No Release Notes

5. macOS Monterey Full Installer.app

Apple has released the full installer for macOS Monterey. I list all the of the macOS Monterey Full installers in the link below.

https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-12-monterey-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/

InstallAssistant.pkg = Full download. Installing this package will add the full “Install macOS Monterey.app” to your applications folder.

6. Apple Silicon IPSW Restore file Update

Apple has released the full IPSW restore file of macOS Monterey for Apple Silicon M1 Macs. I keep track of all of them in my Apple Silicon Firmware Database

Get them here –> https://mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/

7. macOS Monterey Update sizes for Intel and M1

Monterey Delta Update

The delta update will automatically change in size for exactly what your macOS version needs.

• 12.1 > 12.2 = 1.94 GB
• 12.0.1 > 12.1 = 2.4GB

Thank you DhinakG

Monterey Combo Update

The “Combo Update” has been replaced by an automatic sized update. This means if you are updating from an version of monterey, you will get an update that includes only the files that you need.

Monterey Full Update

This is update is for if your volume is having issues or is not sealed.

Size = 11.0GB

8. Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update

This update has a new firmware update. The version number is reported in System Information under “System Firmware Version“

Apple Silicon M1 Firmware – UPDATED

M1 Apple Silicon Firmware Updates

• 3. macOS Monterey 12.2 = 7429.81.3
• 2. macOS Monterey 12.1 = 7429.61.2
• 1. macOS Monterey 12.0.1 = 7429.41.5

9. Intel T2 BridgeOS Update

The Version of BridgeOS for your T2 Security Chip (2018-2020 Intel Macs) was updated.

BridgeOS version – UPDATED

T2 Bridge Updates

• 3. macOS Monterey 12.2 = 19.16.10744.0.0
• 2. macOS Monterey 12.1 = 19.16.10647.0.0
• 1. macOS Monterey 12.0.1 = 19.16.10548.0.0

10. Safari Update

The new version of Safar 15 is included in the macOS Monterey update.

Safari – UPDATED

• 3. macOS Monterey 12.2 = 15.3 (17612.4.9.1.5)
• 2. macOS Monterey 12.1 = 15.2 (17612.3.6.1.6)
• 1. macOS Monterey 12.0.1 = 15.1 (17612.2.9.1.20)

11. What’s new for Enterprise in macOS Monterey

Enterprise changes in macOS Monterey

1. Resolves an issue that prevented searching mail in Microsoft Outlook.
2. Resolves an issue that prevented authenticating to a Windows print server with increased RPC authentication level.
3. Fixes an issue opening websites while using an authenticated proxy with a Network Extension.
4. Resolves an issue where Network Extensions may intermittently lose connectivity after long periods of use.

12. Security Content of macOS Monterey

macOS Monterey Security Document

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054

13. macOS Monterey Release Notes

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes

Overview

macOS Monterey 12.2 Update – Restart Required

macOS 12.2 includes bug fixes and security updates for your Mac and is recommended for all users.

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222