macOS Big Sur 11.5 Update Released for Mac, Download Now
macOS Big Sur 11.5 update is now available to all Mac users running Big Sur. The update contains a few bug fixes, some important security fixes, and the ability for the Podcasts app to display either all shows or followed shows. The full release notes, which are quite brief, are further below.
Despite being a rather small update in terms of changes, the 11.5 update weighs in around 3GB.
Mac users running Catalina (10.15.7) and Mojave (10.14.6) will find Security Update 2021-004 Catalina and Security Update 2021-005 Mojave available to download and install instead, along with an update to Safari.
Separately, iPadOS 14.7 and iOS 14.7 are also available for iPad and iPhone, respectively.
How to Download & Install MacOS Big Sur 11.5 Update
Be sure to backup the Mac with Time Machine (or another backup method) before installing any system software updates.
- Go to the Apple menu or Dock
- Choose “System Preferences”
- Select the “Software Update” control panel
- Choose to update “macOS Big Sur 11.5”
The download may take a while because of it’s size, and the update will require the Mac to restart to complete installation.
Mac users not on Big Sur can find Security Update 2021-005 Mojave and Security Update 2021-004 Catalina available on machines instead, as well as an update to Safari.
macOS Big Sur 11.5 Update Direct Download Links (IPSW)
M1 Mac users can also get an IPSW file of macOS Big Sur 11.5, though using it is a considerable process and generally only appropriate for advanced users in deployment environments.
MacOS Big Sur 11.5 Release Notes
Release notes accompanying the 11.5 update as follows:
macOS Big Sur 11.5 — Restart Required
macOS Big Sur 11.5 includes the following improvements for your Mac:
• Podcasts Library tab allows you to choose to see all shows or only followed shows
This release also fixes the following issues:
• Music may not update play count and last played date in your library
• Smart cards may not work when logging into Mac computers with the M1 chip
For more detailed information about this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211896
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
Aside from macOS Big Sur, the next generation of macOS is under active development as MacOS Monterey 12, and that will be released in the fall.
Big Sur 11.5.1 Update Impossble
Rather small update at almost 3GB?? Not to mention Apple makes little effort to define exactly what changes are involved to take up almost 3Gb of download. I am one who feels Apple should dump the once a year Mac OS upgrades and focus on stability. Big Sur has mostly been yet another train wreck and were still downloading these big updates. All the closer to Monterey release.
The link to the IPSW download of the macOS 11.5 update just jumps to the top of the article. And there’s no link to instructions on how to install the IPSW, just a sentence on how difficult it is. Could you fix the link and provide instructions?
Installing updates that way requires the use of Apple Configurator running on another separate compatible Mac, which is then connected to the M1 Mac using a USB-C cable. The target Mac (the M1) is then erased and restored, similar to a DFU restore of an iPhone or iPad. It is not a simple process, and the vast majority of users are better off using Software Update.
If interested, you can find all IPSW links directly from Apple with these instructions:
https://osxdaily.com/2021/01/28/download-macos-ipsw-files-apple-silicon-m1-mac/
Apple Configurator can be downloaded from the App Store
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator-2/id1037126344?mt=12
Unfortunately Apple no longer provides package updates for Big Sur and newer, so that option is not available in modern macOS versions.
It gets more and more a mobile OS. Where is my beloved UNIX OS (i.e. using Mach Kernel)?
Big Sur ll.still most trubled software With millions problems disaster for consumer and no uptades corrects it
Just wait until you see Monterey – ick