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macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) Q&A
Update Published November 12, 2020
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Which Macs are compatible with macOS Big Sur (macOS 11)? What are the system requirements? What are the major new features?
Apple first previewed macOS Big Sur -- which also is referred to as macOS 11 -- on June 22, 2020. It first was released as a public beta on August 6, 2020 and it shipped in its "final" consumer version on November 12, 2020.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (macOS Big Sur on MacBook Pro)
Just like previous versions of the macOS for several years, macOS Big Sur is free of charge and only formally available from Apple's own App Store.
Unlike previous versions of the Mac operating system -- whether named Mac OS X, OS X, or macOS -- this is the first version to "graduate" past version 10. It could have been macOS 10.16 had it followed Apple's previous naming convention, but instead it is macOS 11. Presumably, like the iOS, the macOS subsequently will increment by a full version number each year.
New macOS Big Sur Features
Apple's company press release boasts of a "beautiful new design" and promises "the biggest Safari update ever and powerful enhancements to Messages, Maps, and privacy."
More specifically, Apple explains that:
macOS Big Sur introduces a beautiful redesign that is entirely new yet instantly familiar. Safari is packed with new features, including a customizable start page, elegantly designed and more powerful tabs, quick and easy translation, and a new Privacy Report. The updated Messages app lets Mac users send and receive more personal and expressive messages, and easily keep track of and interact within group messages. Maps also offers an all-new experience with immersive features for exploring and navigating the world.
The iOS has been influencing the design of the macOS for quite some time, but macOS Big Sur is perhaps more iOS-like than ever with a significantly translucent menu bar, dock, navigation elements, and a new control center similar to that provided by the iOS.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (macOS Big Sur -- Dock & Icons)
Compared to icons in other recent versions of the macOS, Big Sur icons are more consistent in size, less "flat," and in some cases even return to skeuomorphism -- or neumorphism, if you prefer -- with increased influence from real-world objects.
You may or may not like the interface changes, but for the most part, they are subtle enough that you should get used to them in time. The improvements to Safari, Messages, and Maps are welcomed, but mostly copy features long available with browsers, messaging apps, and maps offered by other companies.
System Requirements
In marketing and technical documentation and elsewhere, Apple specifies that macOS Big Sur runs on these Macs:
- MacBook (2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (2013 and later)
- MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and later)
- iMac (2014 and later)
- Mac mini (2014 and later)
- Mac Pro (2013 and later)
Compared to the previous version of the macOS -- macOS Catalina (10.15) -- macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) drops support for the Mid-2012 MacBook Air; Mid-2012, Late 2012, and Early 2013 MacBook Pro; Late 2012, Early 2013, and Late 2013 iMac; and Late 2012 Mac mini models.
Identification Help
If you're not sure if your Mac will run macOS Big Sur (macOS 11), all of the supported computers can be identified by the above "subfamily" designations as well as by the Model Identifier in software. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's exhaustive Mac Identification section.
To locate the model identifier, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the "More Info..." button. Then, click the "System Report" button.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.
macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) Supported Systems
Specifically, the following Macs, available at the time the operating system was released, are compatible with macOS Big Sur:
Big Sur Supported Mac |
Subfamily |
Model ID |
Mid-2014 |
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Late 2014 |
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Late 2014 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Late 2015 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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Late 2017 |
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Late 2017 |
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Late 2017 |
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Late 2017 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2016 |
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Early 2016 |
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Early 2016 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Mid-2013 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2014 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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2017 |
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2017 |
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Late 2018 |
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2019 |
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2020 |
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2020 |
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2020 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Mid-2014 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Early 2015 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Mid-2015 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Late 2016 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2017 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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Mid-2018 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2020 |
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2020 |
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2020 |
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2020 |
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Late 2014 |
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Late 2014 |
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Late 2014 |
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Late 2014 |
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2018 |
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2018 |
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2018 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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Late 2013 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
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2019 |
If your Mac isn't listed above, it isn't compatible with macOS Big Sur (macOS 11).
macOS Big Sur Summary
Ultimately, macOS Big Sur brings a fresh look and worthwhile improvements. When running on Apple Silicon (ARM)-equipped Macs, macOS Big Sur also runs iOS apps natively, which is a massive change, but for those with Intel-based Macs, the improvements to the browser, messaging, and maps applications -- along with more minor tweaks -- generally should be welcomed, too.
As always, EveryMac.com recommends that for those with "mission critical" computers, it is wise to wait for at least two or three "bug fix" releases after the final version before upgrading to any new operating system.
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