Apple Seeds Third Release Candidate Version of macOS Big Sur 11.2 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Too]

by

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

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

macOS Big Sur 11.2 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.

Update: There was speculation that today's update may address a sudo vulnerability that could allow a local user to gain root privileges on macOS, but it does not appear that the vulnerability has been addressed.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Read Full Article
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Read Full Article • 79 comments
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Read Full Article • 149 comments
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
Read Full Article • 154 comments
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Read Full Article • 37 comments

Top Rated Comments

DudiQ Avatar
DudiQ
66 months ago

So were the first two RCs essentially more beta versions? Why call them RCs?
It's a "candidate", which means it will be the final release if no more bugs are discovered. Beta adds features.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DinkThifferent Avatar
DinkThifferent
66 months ago
Okay, I will brace myself for the downvotes giving this very unpopular opinion but I REALLY LIKE Big Sur.

The interface refresh was long overdue and looks great on my 5K iMac. It's a well thought out evolution and not a radical Windows 8 type of disastrous revolution. It's still a Mac!

Icons have finally a consistent shape instead of the "round/squared/sometimes tilted and sometimes not tilted" mess of previous OS-es.

Mac OS Catalina's interface looked worn out, after the constant 'dumbing down' of the Aqua interface that was started with Yosemite.

I like that Maps, iMessage and Photos are much more up to speed with its iOS counterparts, although there are apps that need some work (I'm looking at you, Music!)

So despite some bugs here and there (that were mostly fixed in 11.1 for me) I LOVE Big Sur and I am glad Apple has polished its OS.

Okay, now you can downvote me.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CJ Dorschel Avatar
CJ Dorschel
66 months ago

This OS release is not good, Big Sur has cause nothing but issues for us at our workplace, networking with Windows machines is nonexistent we have had to roll several back to Catalina. Releasing a major operating system update without functioning networking to other computers is unacceptable. We have two brand new Mac minis from the factory that will not connect via SMB to any machine on the network. I really hope Apple fixed this issue but it’s been like that since day one so I’m not hopeful.
There are many reported and acknowledged open bugs since development last summer. In all my years owning Mac's since 1999 this is by far the worst release - and I worked on OS X 10.4 - 10.6 with then SVP of Engineering Bertrand Serlet (Snow Leopard is still one of the most solid releases I've used).

I'd rather Apple return to 2-3 year release cycles with new beta's every 2 weeks requiring a full system wipe and install as it allowed us to debug the core OS without third party apps and plugin's being possible factors. Serlet stayed on for 10.7 but left over disagreements with Cook regarding OS X becoming a free annual release in order to entice more developers and consumers into the Mac App Store. I'd rather pay $129 for a solid release than a rushed and buggy OS.

Also loathe the iPadOS UI on a Mac. Finder navigation is terrible with a washed out UI - no matter how much I tweaked my MacBook Pro or Mac Pro's displays for contrast, brightness, etc or used Dark Mode, I couldn't adjust to the changes. iPadOS/iOS works best on small touchscreen devices not a workstation or any desktop/laptop. So much wasted space as well.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keepagoal Avatar
keepagoal
66 months ago
So were the first two RCs essentially more beta versions? Why call them RCs?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
Apple_Robert
66 months ago

I wonder what last minute bugs they are experiencing
My sources on the Big Sur team told me the release was delayed due to a very long laundry list of gripes submitted by a plethora of MacRumors members.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
az431
66 months ago

So were the first two RCs essentially more beta versions? Why call them RCs?
If Apple released without fixing the bugs in the first two you'd be complaining about that too.

FYI: A release candidate is a beta that will become the release if no critical issues are found.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments