What’s New in macOS Big Sur 11.1 RC Release Candidate (20C69)?

Today Apple released macOS Big Sur Beta 11.1 RC (20C69) to Developers

UPDATE 12/14/20 – macOS Big Sur 11.1 final is live! I just posted a new article that goes over all of the changes and new information that you need to know!

https://mrmacintosh.com/whats-new-in-the-macos-big-sur-11-1-update-20c69/

MacOS Big Sur 11.1 RC or Release Candidate was released on December 10th, 2020. We can expect the final version of 11.1 will be released very soon. The release comes one week after Big Sur 11.1 Beta 2. The Release Candidate brings support for AirPods Max, Apple’s new over-ear headphones. New features were also added to Apple TV, Apple News, App Store, iPhone Apps on M1 Macs, Photos and Safari.

Release date = Monday December 14th (Possible due to Fitness+ launching that day and requiring the latest versions)

NOTE: I don’t see a full installer yet, so I’m not sure if the 2013-14 13″ MacBook Pro BoardID (Mac-189A3D4F975D5FFC) is included yet. This means that Apple could be still working on a fix for this issue. You can read more about it in the link below.

mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-11-0-1-20b50-released-to-block-install-for-2013-14-13-mbpros/

If you need to rebuild your Apple Silicon Mac, be sure to check out both of my new Apple Silicon articles.

How to reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon Mac

mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know/

How to reinstall macOS with Apple Configurator 2 and IPSW Files.

mrmacintosh.com/restore-macos-firmware-on-an-apple-silicon-mac-boot-to-dfu-mode/

For Apple Silicon IPSW Files

mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/

If you are having issues getting macOS Big Sur Beta 11.1 to show up in Software Update, take a look at my Big Sur Beta troubleshooting article. – mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-11-beta-not-showing-up-in-software-update-troubleshooting/

NEW! My Mac Transition to Apple Silicon “Everything you need to know” Article – mrmacintosh.com/mac-transition-to-apple-silicon-everything-you-need-to-know-updated/

Keep an eye on my Big Sur Need to Know changes article. I will be constantly updating it as new info comes in. mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-11-0-updated-index-of-need-to-know-changes-links/

macOS Big Sur 11.1 RC Patch Notes Summary

1. 12 – New Features
2. 5 – Resolved Issues
3. 0 – New Known Issues
4. 0 – Standing Known Issue
5. 3 – AppleSeed Changes

AppleSeed Notes Link = appleseed.apple.com/

Developer Public Link = developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes

Direct Link to macOS Big Sur 11.1 RC Patch Notes – developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-big-sur-11-beta-release-notes

Apple DTK Mac Mini Notes = developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-big-sur-11-universal-apps-beta-release-notes

MacAdmin Patch Notes of Interest

• AppleSeed = 3 notes – appleseed.apple.com

Previous Big Sur 11 Beta and Final Releases

• 17. Big Sur 11.1 RC (20C69) – 12/10/20 – Current Beta Release
• 16. Big Sur 11.1 Beta 2 (20C5048k) – 12/03/20 – My Release Notes
• 15. Big Sur 11.0.1 Final (20B50) – 11/19/20 – My Release Notes
• 14. Big Sur 11.1 Beta (20C5048k) – 11/17/20 – My Release Notes
• 13. Big Sur 11.0.1 Final (20B29) – 11/12/20 – My Release Notes
• 12. Big Sur 11 Beta 11.0.1 (20B5022a) Beta 2 RC – 11/05/20 My Release Notes
• 11. Big Sur 11 Beta 11.0.1 (20B5012d) Beta 1 – 10/28/20 – My Release Notes
• 10. Big Sur 11 Beta 10 (20A5395g) – 10/14/20 – My Release Notes
• 9. Big Sur 11 Beta 9 (20A5384c) – 09/29/20 – My Release Notes
• 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 – Not Available
• 3. Big Sur 11 Beta 3 (20A5323l) – 07/22/20 – Not Available
• 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

macOS Big Sur 11 Installer Info

Note: Combo and Delta updates are not available as standalone downloads.

Full Installer.app

A Full Installer of MacOS Big Sur 11.1 RC is not available yet.

Availability – Unknown

Link – developer.apple.com or installinstallmacos.py

Size = N/A

Big Sur Beta Delta Update

This is the update is for updating from 11.1 Beta 2 > 11.1 RC

Size = 2.75GB

Big Sur Beta Combo Update

This is update should be for updating from Beta 1-11.1 Beta 1 > 11.1 RC

Size = 3.27GB

Apple Silicon Firmware Update

This update has a new firmware update.

Apple Silicon M1 Firmware Update = N/A

Previous Firmware Updates

• 4. Big Sur 11.1 Beta 2 – 6723.61.3
• 3. Big Sur 11.1 Beta 1 -6723.60.62
• 2. Big Sur 11.0.1 – 6723.50.2
• 1. Big Sur 11.0 – 6723.41.11

T2 BridgeOS Update

The Version of BridgeOS for your T2 Security Chip was updated.

BridgeOS version = 18.16.13030.0.0

Size = 442.8MB 

Product ID = 001-86593

• 10. Previous 11.1 Beta 2 = 18.16.13026.5.2
• 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 BuildVersion 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

macOS Big Sur 11.1 RC (20C69) Release Notes

Overview

macOS Big Sur 11.1 Update 11.1 — Restart Required

macOS Big Sur 11.1 introduces support for AirPods Max, TV app enhancements, Apple News widgets, and privacy information on the App Store. This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac.

AirPods Max

• Support for AirPods Max, new over-ear headphones
• High fidelity audio for rich sound
• Adaptive EQ adapts sound in real time to the personal fit of ear cushions
• Active Noise Cancellation to block out environmental noise
• Transparency mode to hear the environment around you
• Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for a theater-like listening experience

Apple TV

• An all-new Apple TV+ tab makes it easy to discover and watch Apple Original shows and movies
• Enhanced search so you can browse by category such as genre and see recent searches and suggestions as you type
• Top search results shown with the most relevant matches across movies, TV shows, cast, channels, and sports

Apple News

• Apple News widgets are now available in Notification Center

App Store

• New privacy information section on App Store pages that includes a developer-reported summary of the app’s privacy practices
• In-game dashboard within Arcade games recommends new Arcade games to play

iPhone and iPad apps on Macs with M1 

• New window options for iPhone and iPad apps let you switch between landscape and portrait orientations or expand a window to fill the entire screen

Photos

• Apple ProRAW photos can be edited in the Photos app

Safari

• Ecosia search engine option in Safari

Air Quality

• Available in Maps and Siri for locations in China mainland
• Health recommendations are provided in Siri for the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Mexico at certain air quality levels

This release also addresses the following issues:

• QuickTime Player might quit when opening a movie with a timecode track after upgrading from macOS Catalina
• Bluetooth connection status was not displayed in Control Center
• Reliability of unlocking your Mac automatically with your Apple Watch
• Trackpad scrolling speed may be faster than expected on MacBook Pro models
• LG UltraFine 5K Display may incorrectly display at 4K resolution on Macs with M1

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For more detailed information about this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211896
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222