Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.6.4 With Security Fixes

Apple today released macOS Big Sur 11.6.4, a security fix update that is designed for Mac users who continue to use the Big Sur operating system instead of macOS Monterey.

macOS Big Sur Feature Orange
The ‌‌‌‌macOS Big Sur 11.6.4‌‌ update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

Today's update comes about two weeks after the launch of macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, which was released alongside macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple usually releases new versions of macOS Big Sur alongside Monterey updates, but today's Big Sur software release is standalone.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, macOS Big Sur 11.6.4 "improves the security of macOS" and is recommended for all users.

Apple has also released a 2022-002 macOS Catalina security update for those who are still running macOS Catalina.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Top Rated Comments

warpdrive Avatar
24 months ago
I'm probably not alone in thinking that I can wait a while longer before upgrading from Big Sur to Monterey. Most these MacOS releases are pretty meh....nothing overly compelling to get me to upgrade right away.

So I'm glad they are still supporting previous OS with security updates
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AndiG Avatar
24 months ago
I remember the days when Snow Leopard was released. A new OS version was really great. Don‘t remeber if you had to pay for SL, but at least for the earlier updates one could get an update for some bucks.

Today is more like: Meh, an update? Again? Couldn‘t you just leave me alone with your da*n updates? Bugs, every year, bugs, bugs, bugs and after that, fixes, fixes fixes. Live, die, repeat e-v-e-r-y year!!!!

I like the way some Linux distros handle this. You can live on the edge or you can get LTS versions with ~8 years security fixes and you don‘t need an OS update for a new browser or new emojis. Wish Apple would slow down with UI and other „improvements“.

New OS version every 3-4 years? Release it when it is done? I don‘t want your latest and greatest, Apple. Just want a stable OS.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
24 months ago
Still on Big Sur, very stable, in no rush to upgrade. Will likely switch to Monterrey after macOS 13 launches.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MallardDuck Avatar
24 months ago
I SO wish I could be back on Big Sur. Monterey is the worst release in memory. They *still* haven't fixed the USB bugs.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdclifford Avatar
24 months ago

Apple releases iOS 14.x update for those that do not want, cough, not yet ready to upgrade to iOS 15.x

Wishful thinking
And for those whose hardware Apple doesn't support anymore (i.e. can't upgrade to Monterey) like my 2015 MacBook 12".
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eadnams Avatar
24 months ago
Wish they released Big Sur for M1 Pro & Max :(
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
airpods pro bulbs

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Tuesday December 5, 2023 7:30 am PST by
Today we're tracking a collection of deals that are matching - or nearly matching - the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the ...
instagram messenger

Instagram and Facebook Messenger Chats to Disconnect This Month

Tuesday December 5, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Meta has revealed plans to end Instagram users' ability to chat with Facebook accounts later this month, rolling back a feature that it introduced over three years ago. In September 2020, Meta (then Facebook) announced it was merging its Facebook Messenger service with Instagram direct messaging, allowing Instagram users to chat with Facebook users and vice versa using the same platform....