Beta 7 of macOS Big Sur 11.3 Available for Testing

Apple has released the seventh beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 to users enrolled in the public beta and developer beta testing programs for the Mac.

The new Mac beta system software release comes a day after Apple issued iOS 14.5 beta 7 and iPadOS 14.5 beta 7 for iPhone and iPad.

The latest macOS 11.3 beta 7 release is build 205E5229a, and contains the same set of changes and improvements from prior beta builds of macOS Big Sur 11.3, including support for Playstation 5 and Xbox X controllers, a Touch Alternatives control panel for using iOS and iPadOS apps on compatible Apple Silicon Macs, more customization options in Safari, improvements to Reminders including the ability to show lists and print reminders again, some small changes to Apple Music, and likely various other small improvements and adjustments throughout the operating system. macOS Big Sur 11.3 is also expected to include the new Emoji icons from iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, and likely the new Siri voice changes and labeling system as well.

macOS Big Sur beta testers can find the latest beta 7 release available to download from the Software Update section of System Preferences.

Since Apple typically goes through several beta releases before issuing final builds, it seems probable that the final release of macOS Big Sur 11.3 will be released to the general public relatively soon, perhaps within the coming weeks. There have been various rumors and speculation that Apple may release new updated hardware in the coming weeks as well, which perhaps could coincidence with the final releases of MacOS 11.3, iOS 14.5, and iPadOS 14.5.

The impatient can technically run the public beta (or developer beta) builds right now, but given the buggy nature of beta system software that is generally only recommended for advanced users for testing purposes.

The most recent stable build of Mac system software remains macOS Big Sur 11.2.3, and for iPad and iPhone, iPadOS 14.4.2 and iOS 14.4.2, respectively.