Joe Kissell - Take Control of Big Sur

Joe Kissell

Welcome to Take Control of Big Sur, version 1.1, published in November 2020 by alt concepts inc. This book was written by Joe Kissell and edited by Kelly Turner.

This book teaches you all about macOS 11 Big Sur, including how to upgrade from an older operating system, how to navigate the revised user interface, and how to use the major new features.

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Copyright 2020, alt concepts inc. All rights reserved.

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Version 1.1 updates this book to cover macOS 11.0.1, including details about changes between the beta versions of Big Sur and the initial public release version. Most notably:

• now reflects the latest guidance from Apple.

• has a direct link to Big Sur in the Mac App Store, and more detailed download instructions.

• In , I mention the demise of DiskMaker X.

• Ive updated to reflect the fact that macOS 11.0.1 has restored the capability to make bootable duplicates.

In September 2000, just over 20 years ago as I write this, Apple released the first public beta of Mac OS X, which represented a complete rethinking of its previous operating system; version 10.0 Cheetah shipped the following year. Throughout 15 major revisions and multiple name changes (from Mac OS X to OS X to macOS, and from big cats to California landmarks), one thing has stayed the same: the number 10.

macOS Big Sur finally bumps the version number up to 11 (insert obligatory Spnal Tap joke here), and marks that transition with dramatic changes in look and feel. Those changes extend all the way to the underlying design of Big Sur, which supports both Intel-based Macs and the newer Mac models powered by Apple siliconARM processors like the ones weve been using in iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and HomePods for years. These chips enable faster, more power-efficient, and (in some cases) even less-expensive Macs. And Big Sur helps make that possible.

Apart from the visual changes, the new system architecture, and an impressive list of new features, Big Sur accelerates the process of borrowing elements from iOS and iPadOS. Apple continues to insist that there are no plans to merge macOS and iOS/iPadOS, and that the Mac will always be an independent product. But lets just say that if Apple were planning a touch-screen Mac, Big Sur would be a much better fit for that product than Catalina is.

This book is your handy guide to whats new in Big Surand how to get it up and running on your Mac. I assume you have a basic grasp of Mac fundamentals already, so I dont explain things like what the Finder is, how to use the Dock, or where to find your apps. The focus here is on whats different from Catalina (and other recent versions of macOS).

I also incorporate an abbreviated version of the upgrading instructions Ive been developing for the past 17 years, ever since Take Control of Upgrading to Panther in 2003. This time around, rather than put that material in a separate book, Ive condensed that material into a single, extra-long chapter here (see ).

I wrote the first version of this book while Big Sur was still in beta testing, updated it during later beta versions, and made some final tweaks as soon as Big Sur was released. Nevertheless, its possible that Ive missed something, or that Apple will make significant changes to Big Sur after its initial public release that affect the instructions here. If necessary, I may revise this book to address such changes. To check for news or updates to this book, click the link in .

Note: Surprisingly, the initial public release version of Big Sur on November 12, 2020 was 11.0.1not 11.0. This is a good thing, as version 11.0.1 incorporates bug fixes that would otherwise prevent backup apps from creating bootable duplicates.