macOS Monterey 12.2 Update Released with Security Fixes
Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.2 for Mac users running the Monterey operating system. The update includes important security fixes and is therefore recommended for all Mac users to install.
Specifically, macOS Monterey 12.2 patches the Safari security leak that gathered some attention recently, along with patching a handful of other security holes and perhaps other issues or bugs. No new features or changes are otherwise expected in 12.2, and support for Universal Control is not included in the 12.2 release.
Mac users running macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina will find security updates available for their system software versions as well.
Separately, iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates are available to address the same security issues on iPhone and iPad, and updates are also available for watchOS 8.4, HomePod, and tvOS 15.3.
MacOS Monterey 12.1 does not include support for Universal Control, the feature which allows for a single Mac keyboard and mouse to control multiple Macs or iPads, however. That hotly anticipated feature is apparently now delayed until “spring 2022” according to Apple.
How to Download MacOS Monterey 12.2 Update
Always backup Mac with Time Machine before installing any system software update.
- Go to the ļ£æ Apple menu, then choose “System Preferences”
- Select the “Software Update” preference panel
- Choose to “Update Now” when macOS Monterey 12.2 update shows as available
You may need to refresh the software update control panel by hitting Command+R before the macOS Monterey 12.2 update appears for some Mac users.
Despite the update primarily containing a resolution to the Safari security leak bug, the macOS 12.2 update weighs in around 2GB.
Users not yet running macOS Monterey will instead find macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 available as a system software update, or Security Update 2022-001 for Catalina if they’re running macOS Catalina still.
macOS Monterey 12.2 Direct Download Link
Mac users can also download the full macOS Monterey 12.2 installer directly from the Apple software CDN (this is not a combo update or delta update, it’s a full macOS 12.2 installer):
macOS Monterey 12.2 Release Notes
Release notes accompanying the download are brief:
macOS Monterey 12.2 ā Restart Required
macOS 12.2 includes bug fixes and security updates for your Mac and is recommended for all users.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
The release notes for macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 Security Update 2022-001 Catalina are basically the same, since those updates cover most of the same security issues.
If you notice anything different or unique about macOS Monterey 12.2, let us know in the comments.
OK so what the heck happened to resolution for external monitors after the 12.2 update!? I’m using a 40″ ultrawide Dell and had the perfect resolution in 12.1 but all of a sudden it is gone. The closest one I can choose are either 5120×2160 (far to small) or 3360×1418 (far to big)!! Please for the love of god Apple put the resolution in between back!
Just waiting for my 2.75Gb 12.2 update to download. Good lord, these updates are huge! Hope there is actually something in them to make them so big. Microsoft is shrinking its Windows updates. They mostly are painless these days. I remember when a OS wasn’t even 1Gb in size and now we have updates that are almost 3Gb.
Here’s a direct download link for macOS Monterey 12.2 installer
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/41/34/002-57041-A_P59UQKRDXZ/h73bziwp3o4m5kuk3ool1g55vgplpmkwqv/InstallAssistant.pkg
It’s literally the entire Monterey installer but updated for 12.2
Will Apple ever return us the combo updates and delta updates? If only!
My iMac 2017 is running Bug Sur and is unable to install the Monterey altogether!
A 2017 iMac is compatible with Monterey, so it should be no problem to install. You could try to use the installer available to download here from Apple:
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/41/34/002-57041-A_P59UQKRDXZ/h73bziwp3o4m5kuk3ool1g55vgplpmkwqv/InstallAssistant.pkg
But the question is, why bother? Monterey is no different from Big Sur really, and the feature everyone wants (universe control) is not even available yet.