Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.6 With Security Fixes

Apple today released macOS Big Sur 11.6, the sixth major update to the macOS Big Sur operating system that first launched in November 2020. macOS Big Sur 11.6 comes a month after the release of macOS Big Sur 11.5.2, a bug fix update.

macOS Big Sur Feature Triad
The new ‌‌‌‌‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌‌‌‌ 11.6 update can be downloaded all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

According to Apple's release notes, macOS Big Sur improves the security of macOS and is recommended for all users. Apple has also released security update 2021-005 for macOS Catalina, and both updates address an issue that could allow a maliciously crafted PDF to execute code. Apple says that it is aware of a report that this bug may have been actively exploited.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone eSIM Feature

Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

Sunday August 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...

Top Rated Comments

wur10 Avatar
52 months ago
It's also not showing up on my Macintosh SE or my Titanium PowerBook G4.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morac Avatar
52 months ago
I'm not seeing 11.6 on on my MacBook Air M1. I have 11.5.2 and it says I'm up to date.



Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JustSomeInfo Avatar
52 months ago
Clearly Apple is rolling it out to the sexy people first.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
52 months ago
Happy update day! Ya’ll.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
52 months ago

Security Update 2021-005 Mojave ('https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212603') [21 Jul 2021]
Security Update 2021-005 Catalina ('https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212805') [13 Sep 2021]

Mojave is in its end of life... Apple will only support Monterey plus Big Sur and Catalina moving forward...

I'm not able to find a source but this is based on previous macOS versions...
Mojave is the last OS which supports 32 bit applications. Hence maybe Apple would support a little longer than previous OS. ?
(Or, Mojave simply don't have this issue??)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
52 months ago

All Macs that support Mojave support Catalina, so Apple probably decided not to bother. People who are afraid to run their Macs without security updates probably run Catalina or unsupported Monterey/Big Sur already.
Repeat after me: 32 bit application support. ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)