Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of macOS Big Sur 11.2 to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a week after the second beta and two months after initial macOS Big Sur release.

macOS 11
Developers can download the ‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌ 11.2 beta using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 2 eliminates a feature that allowed Apple apps bypass third-party firewalls, security tools, and VPN apps. macOS Big Sur 11 included a ContentFilterExclusionList that let Apple's apps like the App Store, Maps, iCloud, and more to avoid firewall and VPN apps that users had installed. These apps were not able to filter or inspect traffic for some built-in Apple apps. That functionality has been removed in macOS Big Sur 11.2.

When macOS Big Sur 11.2 sees a release, Apple apps will be compatible with VPN apps and will no longer be able to bypass firewalls and other security tools.

According to Apple's release notes, the update also improves Bluetooth reliability and includes multiple bug fixes.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 improves Bluetooth reliability and fixes the following issues:
- External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter
- Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not save
- iCloud Drive could turn off after disabling the iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Folders option
- System Preferences may not unlock when entering your administrator password
- Globe key may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed

The update addresses a bug that could cause external displays to show a black screen when connected to an M1 Mac mini using an HDMI to DVI converter, and it fixes an issue that resulted in edits to Apple ProRaw photos in the Photos app not to save. It also includes fixes for iCloud Drive, System Preferences, and more.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Monday December 1, 2025 2:40 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
64 months ago

release to the public surely within a week or two then.
I hope so. I am tired of experiencing Bluetooth cut out.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itrends Avatar
64 months ago
BUMPY RIDE that was!

Set the 11.2 RC installing.
Mac mini M1 restarted.
Screen went BANANANANNSS!! Like an old Commodore 64 game loading screen.
I left it for about 10 mins, then decided to kill the power.
Turned back on, install completed as expected. PHEW

Now the good news
[LIST=1]
* I can now have WIFI turned on without it making my mouse laggy
* I can now have my Magic Mouse and magic track pad connected without one of them becoming unusable
* The entire system is MUCH MUCH faster.
* Safari scroll lag is gone entirely.
* I have 2 ultra wide Red Eagles connected (one HDMI, one DP) and both appear to be doing everything they are meant to

HOWEVER
This is only after I have just booted into the new os. So now the waiting game begins to see if any bluetooth issues do crop up with usage time and to see if screens waking from long sleep are still an issue. My DP connected display always woke ok, but the HDMI one would always wake at 800x600 and I would have to change the resolution twice to get it to show up at the right res.

Also worth noting, the native resolutions are STILL NOT shown unless I OPTION + CLICK on the scaled display choice.

Also the MonitorControl app still reports not displays connected.

Overall, so far, very happy and hopeful.

If the screens stay the right res and I can finally keep wifi on again to use airdrop, that will be progress.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ashdelacroix Avatar
64 months ago
If it stops my Safari crashing at least once a day, I'll be very happy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KoolAid-Drink Avatar
64 months ago

Yeah, they changed it in the fall. It was always called Gold Master. I liked that more, but hey..
Agreed. However, "golden master" refers to when they distributed the OS on CDs and DVDs back in the day (master disc image). Usually back then, the GM was the final version. It was a vestigial nomenclature that was no longer relevant, given the possibility nowadays to update software more quickly. "Release candidate" makes sense because it implies that, as a candidate, it can be updated if needed to free itself of any showstopper bugs, while master implies it's final.

But yes, I do miss the GM nomenclature. It's reminiscent of a simpler time.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
64 months ago
still not fixed the auto AirPods switching to macOS still doesn't work only to iPhone and iPad
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
64 months ago

Will this fix the screensaver problem too?
Don't get so greedy. That fix is being saved as a highlight of macOS XII.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)