Beta 1 of MacOS Big Sur 11.2, iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4 Released for Testing
Apple has released the first beta versions of MacOS Big Sur 11.2 for Mac, iPadOS 14.4 for iPad, iOS 14.4 for iPhone and iPod touch, tvOS 14.4 for Apple TV, and watchOS 7.3 for Apple Watch.
No major new features are expected in any of the releases, suggesting the latest beta updates are focusing on bug fixes and feature refinements.
The latest beta versions are available to download now both public beta and developer beta users enrolled in the particular beta testing programs.
The new beta builds have arrived quickly after the final releases of iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 updates and macOS Big Sur 11.1.
Users who are eligible to download the beta updates can find the latest versions available from the respective software update mechanisms on their devices.
For beta Mac users, that’s through System Preferences > Software Update
For beta iPhone and iPad users, that’s through Settings > General > Software Update
watchOS betas can be installed through the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone, and tvOS betas are installed through the Settings app on Apple TV.
While technically any user can participate in the public beta testing programs for system software, most users are better off staying in the final stable builds of system software for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Beta system software is notoriously less stable compared to final versions, and is intended for developers and those needing to test various things on the new development versions of the various Apple operating systems.
Apple usually goes through several beta versions before issuing a final release, meaning the final versions of iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, macOS Big Sur 11.2, are a ways away.
MacOS Big Sur slots problems with printers drivers ‘“Hpdm framework’not user friendly
The more I use Big Sur the less I like it. First time I had to use a different scale setting for my display on my MacBook Air to increase text size. This Grey text over an opaque White background makes things even worse. haven’t noticed huge problems with Big Sur in terms of functions. Except at first both my Mac’s lost the ability to use the administrator password and required to SMC reset to fix. Could not access any settings until that was done. I am hoping not to go through the same pains I felt with Catalina. But I already do not like Big Sur’s new UI.
Maybe the interface will improve next year. macOS Californication 12