Apple introduced macOS Sonoma 14.1 on Wednesday, so it’s out of beta testing and ready for Macs going back about five years. The update includes a few modest enhancements and bug fixes.
Here’s what’s new.
macOS Sonoma 14.1 release date is here
September brought macOS Sonoma 14.0. It ushered in interactive desktop widgets, a new Game Mode, a collection of of fresh screensavers, Safari improvements, and much, much more.
Version 14.1 builds on that with a few tweaks. Apple’s release notes say:
This update provides enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac including:
– Favorites expanded in Music to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library
– Apple warranty status for Mac, AirPods, and Beats headphones and earbuds are available in System Settings
– Fixes an issue where the System Services settings within Location Services may reset
– Fixes an issue that may prevent encrypted external drives from mounting
But macOS updates are about more than new features — these are also how Apple distributes patches for security problems. The ones included in the new versions are listed on Apple’s support website.
Why macOS 14.1?
With only relatively minor changes and bug fixes, one might wonder why this is macOS 14.1 and not macOS 14.0.1. The answer might be that big changes could be going on behind the scenes.
Apple announced a product launch event for October 30. A collection of new M3-powered Macs is rumored to be on the agenda. If true, then this new version of Sonoma may have been created to run on the iMac and MacBooks expected on that day.
Available for so may Macs
The list of Macs that can install macOS Sonoma 14.1 is lengthy.
The short version is that the new version is compatible with any MacBook Pro, any MacBook Air or Mac mini since 2018, any iMac or Mac Pro since 2019, any iMac Pro since 2017 or any Mac Studio.
How to install the macOS Sonoma 14.1
Anyone with a compatible Mac can download macOS 14.1 now. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS SSonoma in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
Apple also introduced iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 on Wednesday.
