macOS Monterey 12.6.8 & macOS Big Sur 11.7.9 Updates Released
Apple has issued MacOS Monterey 12.6.8 and MacOS Big Sur 11.7.9 for eligible Macs that are continuing to run the macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur operating systems. Additionally, Safari 16.6 is available as an update for those operating systems.
The updates include security fixes, and are therefore recommended for all users to install onto their Macs.
Separately, macOS Ventura 13.5, iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 15.7.8, and updates to watchOS and TvOS are also available.
How to Download & Install macOS Monterey 12.6.8 or macOS Big Sur 11.7.9 Update
Before beginning any software update, be sure you back up the Mac with Time Machine. You will see a banner to get you to update to Ventura, but you can install updates to macOS Monterey and Big Sur while ignoring Ventura by doing the following.
- Go to the Apple menu
- Select “System Preferences”
- Select “Software Update”
- Click the tiny “More Info…” text under the small text for “Other updates available” and below the large macOS Ventura promo
- Make sure that macOS Monterey 12.6.8 or macOS Big Sur 11.7.9 is selected, along with Safari 16.6, and then choose to update and install
The updates will be downloaded and installed onto the Mac, with a reboot required to finish.
MacOS Monterey 12.6.8 & MacOS Big Sur 11.7.9 Full Installers
Direct download links from Apple for the InstallAssistant.pkg files are here:
macOS Monterey 12.6.8 Release Notes and macOS Big Sur 11.7.9 Release Notes
Release notes are very brief, mentioning security fixes only:
macOS Monterey 12.6.8 — Restart Required
This update provides important security fixes 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
Additionally, you will find updates to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.
I’m so sorry I installed this update. After completing it, my mails didn’t sync between my MacOS computer and my iOS devices, and Safari quit working altogether. I’m now having to revert to a saved copy, but that’s also troublesome since “there isn’t enough room” to do so. It sure seems like Apple dropped the ball on this one.