Main Features of macOS Big Sur you Should Know

The latest Apple operating system has several new features and amazing settings where you should have an idea about the main features of macOS Big Sur. What are the main features of macOS Big Sur? you will get in this article.

macOS Big Sur is the latest version of Apple’s accent macOS operating system with a revamped look, overhauled Control Center, Safari updates, and more. However, macOS Big Sur, unveiled in June 2020 is the direct successor of macOS Catalina and brings such a huge update that Apple bumped the version number to 11.0.

macOS Big Sur saw the introduction of Apple’s biggest and greatest design update on its Mac desktop operating system since the introduction of Mac OS X. With macOS Big Sur, there’s a revamped feature from the overhauled dock icon designs to curvature of Windows corners and colors. This new design look will look modern but familiar, with more focus on consistency, translucency, and content. If you want something technical, it’s macOS 11.0.

It’s that time of the year you get a whole new look, maps, widgets, Safari improvements, and lots more. Meanwhile, before we dive further into some of the Big Sur’s great features. Here’s how to install it on your Mac desktop.

How to Download and Install macOS Big Sur

Backing up your Mac is the first and most important step before downloading macOS Big Sur or any other software. You never can tell what will happen! iCloud is a great backup software if you have enough space, or you can back it up via Time Machine which you can store on your external drive.

If your Mac desktop model is from 2013 or newer. You have a great chance of your Mac being compatible with macOS Big Sur. Apple revealed a top list of compatible devices which includes:

Mac Pro (2013 or later)
MacBook Pro and Air (2013 or later)
MacBook (2013 or later)
Mac Mini (2014 or later)
iMac (2014 or later)
iMac Pro (2017 or later)

To know about your Mac model, click the Apple icon on the top left corner of your desktop screen, then select About this Mac. Apple has more insight here finding your Mac model to see whether it’s supported, in case you’re unsure about your specific Mac type.

However, before installing macOS Big Sur, your Mac needs to have at least 4GB of memory plus 35.5 gigabytes of unused storage and must be running OX X 10.9 or newer versions. Meanwhile, the macOS Big Sur file size is about 12 gigs, so you shouldn’t be in a rush to install it as the process can take up to an hour.

To update your Mac, first, click on the Apple icon on the top left corner. Then select System Preferences – Software Update – Upgrade Now. Mac will now take over from there. Meanwhile, get ready to enjoy the world of fantasies! Now, unto the goodies.

Download macOS Big Sur ISO file

A Fresh Interface

The macOS Big Sur has a fairly few design tweaks. Big Sur isn’t a substantial interface overhaul, but few design tweaks make the design look more like iPad and iPhone-esque. The apps and docks are all rounded in the corners. Meanwhile, app icons are in squircle shape instead of the normal round. Various menus and icons have been compressed, paving way for more space. Also, colors are bolder, and grays are darker. Overall, the entire Big Sur looks very similar to a mobile OS but more modern.

A Control Center and Widgets

A part of this design overhaul includes the Control Center. Finally, Mac is now getting the iPhone and iPad-Esque Control Center. Tap the menu icon on the top right corner to access the settings for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Do-Not-Disturb, Brightness, Current media playback, and sound.

However, you can’t move things around here, but you can choose to add some extras and shortcuts to make the Control Center more useful. To add shortcuts, select the Apple icon, then click on System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar and scroll down to Other Modules to add Battery, Fast User Switching, and Accessibility Shortcuts. You can choose the items you want to appear on the Menu Bar here, including the battery percentage.

Meanwhile, widgets aren’t a new feature in macOS. But the latest ones that debuted on iPadOS 14 and iOS 14 are now available through the Notification Centre. To access the new widgets pane, just tap the top right corner of the clock icon. Gently tap Edit Widgets to remove them, move them around, or add new ones in various sizes. Contrary to iPhone, widgets only remain in a hidden area, you can’t put them wherever you want.

Safari Improvements

Apple revealed the Safari update is the biggest since its first launch in 2013. According to Apple, Safari it’s now speedier than ever, 50 percent faster than Chrome, and you can now stream 4K HDR content on Netflix and YouTube. For fans that love having dozens of open tabs at the same time, you can now see the preview of a tab by hovering over it. Also, Safari now features favicons in the tab. This makes it easier for you to locate the specific tab you’re searching for.

Meanwhile, Safari now has a built-in translator that offers up to eight languages including English, French, German, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Brazilian. To translate a web page language, just go to menus at the top of the screen and select View > Translate > Translate to English or any other supported languages.

The Safari Start Page has been improved too. Instead of the normal showing of frequently or favorite visited websites, you’ll find a Privacy Report of how many blocked trackers by Safari. Also, you can change your browser’s background, access Siri’s suggestion and Reading List. Meanwhile, widgets can be removed by tapping the edit icon located on the bottom right of Safari’s Start Page.

On the Privacy Report, Safari can now block websites they found out are tracking you. Also, you can see the web pages Safari prevented from tracking you by clicking on the shield icon that’s on the left side of the URL. Safari will also alert you in case any of your saved passwords are involved in any data breach. Extensions can also be restricted so they don’t needlessly collect data.

New Maps

Apple has revamped the Maps app on Mac to give you the best service instead of getting them from the competition. The Map is bumped with many exciting features that are first found in iOS 14’s version of Maps. Apple’s reply to Google’s Street View: “Guides, in case you’re looking for the best coffee spots nearby; and cycling and navigation, though that’s limited to a handful of cities such as New York and Los Angeles”.

Also, you can create your guide if you’re planning on a trip (maybe in September 2021). All you have to do is to send directions from your Mac desktop to iPhone or iPad, and you’re free to access any saved favorite locations. It’s a much-welcomed update by every macOS Big Sur fan.

Upgraded Messages

Apple has no competitors when it comes to providing users with a sturdy product ecosystem. If you have an iPhone, an Apple Watch is a must-have supplement for keeping track of your fitness and checking up with notifications. An iPhone will make it easier to share files with Mac through the AirDrop feature, plus you can continue chatting with your friends on both mobile and desktop platforms. Before now, the Messages app has only but limited functionality, allowing you to just send and receive messages. That’s no longer a problem now, thanks to Big Sur.

macOS Big Sur upgrades the Messages app to bring in new amazing tweaks from iOS 14. The upgraded Messages app lets you pin conversations to the top chat, which includes group messages. So, iPhone message effects like confetti, balloons, and many others can now be added to the Messages app. Mac can now create Memoji, which means you can transfer them from the Mac app, or by selecting the icon on the left side of the text field and tap #images to send GIFs.

Group chats are now more enjoyable, powerful, and twice easier. However, the iPhone tweak of responding to folks in a thread is now brought to Mac. You can set the notifications to receive message alerts only when your name is mentioned. Plus, you can choose to reply to a specific message by swiping the conversation to the left side or click on it, then select reply.

Other macOS Big Sur Updates

We’ve outlined the five main features brought to the latest macOS Big Sur, but several smaller updates follow. Here are a few from the standouts.

Improved Spotlight Search: Spotlight, Mac’s official search tool is now speedier. And can preview many of the search results on the Spotlight interface, including weather, files, and web pages.
Nutrition-Esque Label in the App Store: The Mac’s App Store has been equipped with a nutritional-like label at bottom of the app. Before downloading an app on the Play Store, there’s a preview of the total features of the app. Including the data the product developer will collect, and other data that may be used to track you.
Automatic AirPod Connection: If you have Apple earbuds and they’ve been previously connected to any Apple devices. The AirPods can now automatically connect to your Mac when it’s turned on. You’ll see a notification in a banner-like form asking for permission.

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Conclusion

macOS Big Sur is indeed the best thing to grace the Mac desktop this year. You can enjoy many interesting features on your Mac by installing the latest Big Sur operating system. The macOS Big Sur saw the introduction of Apple’s greatest design overhaul since the debut of Mac OS X. On our today’s Mac review is a hint on how to install macOS Big Sur on your Mac computer, including its exciting features.