Apple mysteriously reissues last week’s macOS Catalina‌‌ Supplemental Update

By

Catalina looks pretty good, but should you install the public beta already?
If you didn’t install last week’s macOS Catalina‌ Supplemental Update, you have a second chance.
Photo: Apple

Apple today introduced a macOS Catalina‌ Supplemental Update that’s apparently only very slightly different from one made available last week. It’s not clear what is different about this version.

macOS Catalina‌‌ Supplemental Update: Take 2

macOS Catalina 11.15 launched in October, bringing the end of iTunes as we knew it. It also brought Sidecar, which lets you use an iPad as a second Mac monitor, along with loads of other new features. Last Tuesday, Apple fixed some Catalina bugs in an update that, according to the company, “includes installation and reliability improvements.”

Apple issued a “new” Supplemental Update today. However, its description seems identical to the one introduced a week ago.

The change log for both says: “The ‌macOS Catalina‌ Supplemental Update includes installation and reliability improvements, and is recommended for all users.

“This update:

  • Improves installation reliability of ‌macOS Catalina‌ on Macs with low disk space
  • Fixes an issue that prevented Setup Assistant from completing during some installations
  • Resolves an issue that prevents accepting iCloud Terms and Conditions when multiple ‌iCloud‌ accounts are logged in
  • Improves the reliability of saving Game Center data when playing Apple Arcade games offline.”

It remains unclear whether those who installed last week’s update should put this new one on their Mac as well. Or if that’s even an option for everyone.

You can install the macOS Catalina‌ Supplemental Update through the System Preferences app by going to Software Update.

More Catalina upgrades on the way

Apple is already hard at work on the next major update of Catalina. The second macOS 11.15.1 beta added new features to the Photos app and delivered a few other minor enhancements.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.