Apple today released OS X 10.11.4 to the public, marking the launch of the third update to the El Capitan operating system that was first released on September 30. In testing since January 11, OS X 10.11.4 comes two months after the release of OS X 10.11.3.
The OS X 10.11.4 update is available to all OS X El Capitan users and can be downloaded through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
/article-new/2015/04/os_x_el_capitan_roundup-800x409.jpg?lossy)
OS X 10.11.4 introduces Live Photos support in the Messages app, expanding the number of ways Live Photos can be viewed on a Mac. Prior to OS X 10.11.4, Live Photos could only be viewed through the Mac Photos app. Live Photos in Messages are denoted by the concentric circle icon that marks a Live Photo, and a click on a Live Photo will bring up a mini photo viewer that will play the photo animation.
/article-new/2016/01/live_photo_mac_messages_1.jpg?lossy)
The update includes support for password protected Notes, a feature that is also available within iOS 9.3. With password protection, individual notes within the Notes app can be locked with a password that must be entered before content can be viewed. Also new is an option to import notes from other note-taking apps like Evernote.
/article-new/2016/03/note_locked_mac.jpg?lossy)
Aside from the minor new features in Notes an Messages, OS X 10.11.4 includes no other obvious outward-facing changes, instead focusing primarily on under-the-hood performance improvements and bug fixes to address issues that have surfaced since the launch of OS X 10.11.3. Here's a full list of features and bug fixes included, according to the release notes:
- Adds the ability to passcode-protect notes containing personal data in Notes
- Adds the ability to sort notes alphabetically, by date created, or date modified in Notes
- Adds the ability to import Evernote files into Notes
- Adds support for sharing Live Photos between iOS and OS X via AirDrop and Messages
- Addresses an issue that may cause RAW images to open slowly in Photos
- Adds the ability for iBooks to store PDFs in iCloud, making them available across all your devices
- Fixes an issue that prevented loading Twitter t.co links in Safari
- Prevents JavaScript dialogs from blocking access to other webpages in Safari
- Fixes an issue that prevented the VIPs mailbox from working with Gmail accounts
- Fixes an issue that caused USB audio devices to disconnect
- Improves the compatibility and reliability of Apple USB-C Multipart Adapters
Almost all of Apple's OS X El Capitan updates have been focused on improving performance rather than introducing new features and OS X 10.11.4 is no exception.
Update: There are security updates available for OS X Yosemite and OS X Mavericks.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Another bug-filled release...!
How would you know you don't even have it yet. Some people just love to destroy everything, you must be really unhappy with your life.. Seriously.And how do you know I don't even have it yet...? Haven't you heard of Developer and Public Beta...? :rolleyes::rolleyes:
The key is 'beta' in that sentence :rolleyes:Combo....?
Here's the Combo:http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/39/52/031-53826/4eea1jmuta47vh33hyakz1ajyqn6dyvu2f/OSXUpdCombo10.11.4Auto.pkg
Don't forget to install the firmware update first though:
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/41/46/031-53822/ohlz4gfgdao83g9sqz3loxwdpy41c12jrz/FirmwareUpdate.pkg
Also for faster download here is the delta for those on 10.11.3 (or 10.11.4 betas):
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/41/46/031-53822/ohlz4gfgdao83g9sqz3loxwdpy41c12jrz/OSXUpd10.11.4.pkg
This delta is the one I'll use because it is faster than the combo. But again remember to install the firmware update first.
Build number is 15E65.
Alternative links:
delta: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1868?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
combo: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1869?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
You don't need to install the firmware update if you use these alternative links because it will be incorporated into it.
So OSX news is in the sidebar now, while iOS news is in the main feed.
Call me crazy but I get more excited for OS X features than iOS...