Apple has released macOS 12.3 for all compatible Macs. The new update features Universal Control beta, Spatial Audio support, new emojis, and a bunch of other enhancements and bug fixes.
The previous software update for Mac was macOS 12.2.1, which was a minor release and contained a bug fix for Bluetooth battery drain and a security patch.
What’s new in macOS 12.3?
Apple has finally released the much-awaited Universal Control feature which was announced last year at WWDC. The feature, which allows users to share a single keyboard and mouse between an iPad and Mac, was missing from earlier macOS Monterey betas until Apple confirmed that it had been delayed. It is still available as a beta but early impressions show that it works very well.
The new release also gets support for Spatial Audio, which was already available on iOS. The feature works with compatible AirPods models and Macs with M1 chip. Apple has also added 37 new emojis in this update, alongside an additional voice for Siri, updates to the Podcasts app, Shortcuts, and Safari, and improved battery capacity readings.
Here are the complete release notes from Apple:
macOS 12.3 adds Universal Control so you can use a single mouse and keyboard across your Mac and iPad. This release also includes new emoji, dynamic head tracking for Music, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.
Universal Control (beta)
- Universal Control allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard across iPad and Mac
- Text can be typed on either Mac or iPad and you can drag and drop files between them
Spatial Audio
- Dynamic head tracking is available in Music with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip
- Customizable spatial audio settings for Off, Fixed, and Head Tracked are now in Control Center with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip
Emoji
- New emoji including faces, hand gestures, and household objects are available in emoji keyboard
- Handshake emoji allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand
This release also includes the following enhancements for your Mac:
- Siri now includes an additional voice, expanding the diversity of options
- Podcasts app adds episode filter for seasons, played, unplayed, saved, or downloaded episodes
- Safari webpage translation adds support for Italian and Chinese (Traditional)
- Shortcuts now supports adding, removing, or querying tags with Reminders
- Saved passwords can now include your own notes
- Battery capacity readings have improved accuracy
This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac:
- News widgets in Today View may not open articles when clicked
- Audio may sound distorted while watching video in the Apple TV app
- Some photos and videos may be unintentionally moved when organizing albums in Photos
macOS 12.3 also contains 45 security patches for Wi-Fi, Webkit, Siri, FaceTime, Kernel, AppleScript, and more. You can read more about them here.
Read more to find out about the new features and changes in macOS 12.3:
- Universal Control is finally available in macOS 12.3 beta and iPadOS 15.4 beta
- macOS 12.3 beta comes new API for improved screen capture features for third-party apps
- Apple deprecated kernel extensions used by Dropbox and OneDrive in macOS 12.3 beta
- macOS 12.3 beta features framework for updating AirPods firmware
- Apple removes Python 2.7 from macOS 12.3 but does not provide a newer version
- macOS 12.3 beta 2 resolves Bluetooth battery drain and macOS Catalina FileVault issues
- macOS 12.3 beta 3 adds easier access to Universal Control settings
Check out our previous coverage of new features in macOS Monterey:
- New Safari design and tab groups
- Focus and notifications improvements
- Live Text
- FaceTime improvements and SharePlay
- Shared with You
- Low Power Mode
- iCloud Private Relay
- iCloud password manager in settings
- M1 app improvements
- Spatial audio support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max (M1 Macs only)
- Universal Control
Is your Mac compatible with macOS 12.3?
macOS 12.3 is compatible with the following Intel and M1 Macs:
- MacBook Air (early 2015 and later)
- MacBook Pro (early 2015 and later)
- MacBook (early 2016 and later)
- iMac (later 2015 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and later)
- Mac mini (late 2014 and later)
- Mac Pro (late 2013 and later)
How to install macOS 12.3 on your Mac
Simply to System Preferences > Software Update on your Mac to download the new software update. If you are using a MacBook, make sure that it is connected to its charger during the update process.
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