How macOS updaters have changed over the last decade, and why they’re far more reliable, but you can’t download a standalone updater any more.
SSV
We used to repair permissions of the system until SIP. After a short break, we often repaired them again, this time on preference files. Why did Apple cancel that? Should we still try it for fixing problems?
You may be surprised to learn that SIP or XProtect are disabled, that the SSV isn’t working, or that your security systems are way out of date.
From killing a process, through a regular restart, to Recovery and a bootable external recovery disk, all you need to know about fixing your Mac in macOS 11 and 12.
in Mac OS 8 and 9, you could patch the system direct. OS X was harder, and became sprawling and interdependent, encouraging users to reinstall macOS. That has now ended with the introduction of the SSV.
In Monterey, these haven’t changed much since Big Sur. However, those small differences are significant, particularly on M1 Macs.
How APFS, the boot volume group, hashes, and Secure Boot all combine to guarantee the integrity of your system, and save you trouble and work.
A great advance in APFS which enables Big Sur’s Sealed System Volume, and backups being made to APFS. Here they’re fully explained.
The macOS 11.5.1 update fixes a serious vulnerability, but does it really take 2.2 GB (Intel) or 3.1 GB (M1) to fix what could only have been a few MB at most?
macOS 11.5 will be available in a few days. Should you risk upgrading? Here are some of the major issues which you need to consider when deciding and planning any upgrade.
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