macOS 12 Monterey

Apple previewed Monterey on June 7, 2021, and released it as a free update on October 25 for compatible Intel and Apple silicon Macs. Shortcuts brought another route to Mac automation and could import Automator workflows; Safari added Tab Groups. Focus and Quick Note offered new ways to organize interruptions and ideas.

Original typographic card; not a historical screenshot.

Family: macOS
Version: 12
Architectures: Intel / Apple silicon
Historical US price: US$0

Apple · Monterey · 2021-06-07 · Apple · Monterey · 2021-10-25

FaceTime added microphone modes and a new grid view. Apple limited the announcement’s Portrait mode to Macs with M1; not every new feature applied to every computer. Live Text recognized text in photos, and Mail added privacy protection. iCloud+ added features to paid storage plans, not free unlimited storage for everyone.

Apple · Monterey · 2021-10-25

The October announcement still placed SharePlay and Universal Control in the future. Later release notes document SharePlay in Monterey 12.1 and Universal Control as a beta in 12.3. The latter let users share a mouse and keyboard between supported Macs and iPads and move text or files. It was not delivered in the initial release, nor did it apply to every Mac that could install Monterey.

Apple · Monterey · 2021-10-25 · Apple · Monterey · Update notes

The 12.0.1 list includes Mac Pro from 2013, MacBook Air and Pro from Early 2015, mini from Late 2014, iMac from Late 2015, MacBook from Early 2016, and iMac Pro. Apple records 12.0.1 on October 25, 2021, and 12.3 on March 14, 2022. These are selected milestones, not a complete update history or a guarantee of current support.

Apple · 12.0.1 · 2021-10-25 · Apple · 12.3 · 2022-03-14