macOS Big Sur 11.2 release candidate 2 released to developers and public beta testers

Apple has released macOS Big Sur 11.2 release candidate to developers and public beta testers. The update features improvements and bug fixes for Bluetooth, iCloud Drive, ProRAW, and more.

The company had last released macOS Big Sur 11.1 which was a major update and featured AirPods Max support, Apple TV updates, privacy labels in Mac App Store, improvements to Safari, Photos, Siri, and Maps, full-screen support for iPhone and iPad apps on M1 Macs, and a number of bug fixes.

Updates:

December 17: Apple released the first public beta for macOS Big Sur 11.2

December 16: Apple released the first developer beta for macOS Big Sur 11.2

January 13: macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 2 is now available for developers. The public beta was also released shortly after.

January 21: macOS Big Sur 11.2 release candidate is released to developers.

January 25: Apple has seeded the second release candidate

macOS Big Sur 11.2 RC features

Here are the complete release notes from Apple for the new release candidate:

macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 improves Bluetooth reliability and fixes the following issues:
– External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter
– Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not save
– iCloud Drive could turn off after disabling the ‌iCloud Drive‌ Desktop & Documents Folders option
– System Preferences may not unlock when entering your administrator password
– Globe key may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed

Although not mentioned in the release notes, macOS 11.2 also sees the removal of the ContentFilterExclusionList filter that allowed Apple’s first-party apps to bypass VPNs and firewalls.

macOS Big Sur 11.2 RC compatible Macs

macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta is compatible with the following Macs:

• MacBook Air (2013 and newer)
• MacBook Pro (late 2013 and newer)
• MacBook (2015 and newer)
• iMac (2014 and newer)
• iMac Pro (2017 and newer)
• Mac mini (2014 and newer)
• Mac Pro (2013 and newer)

Download macOS Big Sur 11.2 RC

To download the release candidate, you must be registered to Apple’s developer program which costs $99/year. It will give you access to a beta access utility which you will have to download and install to enroll your Mac in the beta program. Alternatively, you can wait for the public beta update, which is released to users who are part of Apple’s beta software program. The program is free and gives you access to public beta builds, which are released a few days after developer betas.

If your Mac is already enrolled in a beta program, open System Preferences > Software Update to download the new beta. As this is beta software, make sure that you have a proper backup of your data before updating, as there might be bugs in the update that could cause data loss.

Apple has also currently testing iOS 14.4 beta 2 and iPadOS 14.4 beta 2, watchOS 7.3 beta 2 and, tvOS 14.4 beta 2.