macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur introduces a refresh of the design of the user interface, described by Apple as the biggest change since the introduction of Mac OS X.[4] The operating system introduced refinements to the interface such as translucency and a new color palette. All standard apps, as well as the Dock and the Menu Bar, were redesigned and streamlined. The application icons were also redesigned to look more similar to those on iOS and iPadOS.[9] Compared to iOS, Big Sur's icons include more shading and highlights to give a three-dimensional appearance. Its aesthetic has been described as "neumorphism", a portmanteau of new and skeuomorphism.[10][11] System sounds were redone as well.

The new OS also brings further integration with Apple's SF Symbols, enabling easier use by third-party developers as UI elements for their apps through UIKit, which makes it possible to unify third party apps with the existing Apple-made design language.[12]

An interface with quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen brightness and system volume has been added to the menu bar.[9] This interface is functionally and visually similar to Control Center on iOS and iPadOS.

The Notification Center was redesigned, featuring interactive notifications and a transparent user interface. Notification Center also features a new widget system similar to that in iOS 14, displaying more information with more customization than previously available.[4]

macOS Big Sur marks the beginning of the transition of Apple’s Macintosh line of personal computers from Intel x86-64-based processors to Apple's ARM64-based processors, referred to as "Apple silicon".[13] The chip mentioned in demo videos, and used in the Developer Transition Kit, is the A12Z Bionic, which is the same chip used in the 2020 iPad Pro. This is the first release of macOS to support ARM-based Macs, although Apple stated that it would support Intel Macs "for years to come."[13][14] Most software that has not completed the transition to Apple silicon can use Rosetta 2, an update of a compatibility mechanism first utilized during the PowerPC to Intel x86 transition.

On Macs based on Apple silicon, macOS Big Sur will run iOS and iPadOS applications natively and without any modifications needed from developers.[13]

The system volume is cryptographically signed to prevent tampering.[15] This includes adding a SHA-256 hash for every file on the system volume.[16]

Software updates can begin in the background before a restart, thus requiring less downtime to complete. Because system files are cryptographically signed, the update software can rely on them being in precise locations, thus permitting them to be effectively updated in place.[17]

Spotlight, the file system indexing and search mechanism first introduced in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, is more optimized for speed, and the interface has been refined. Additionallky, Spotlight is now the default search mechanism in several applications including Safari, Pages, and Keynote.[18][17]

• Bilingual dictionaries in French-German, Indonesian-English, Japanese-Simplified Chinese, and Polish-English
• Better predictive input for Chinese and Japanese users
• New fonts for Indian users
• Podcasts "Listen Now" feature
• FaceTime sign language prominence
• macOS startup sound re-enabled by default, and graphical interface to manually enable/disable it per user preference

Safari in Big Sur now features a new customizable start page and an improved tab design. In addition, enhancements in Safari 14 include:

• Built-in webpage translation in English, German, French, Russian, Chinese, and Portuguese. The feature is currently in beta.
• Enhanced privacy features such as "Privacy Report"
• Password monitoring; Safari will notify the user if their password has been compromised
• Enhanced performance and power efficiency
• Extension privacy management
• WebExtensions API support
• Page previews
• Importing of passwords from Chrome

The Messages app was rewritten to be based upon Apple's Catalyst technology. This enables the app to have feature parity with its iOS counterpart. Alongside a refined design, the messages app brings:

• Conversation pinning for up to nine conversations that sync across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
• Message searching
• Name and photo sharing
• Group chat photo logos
• Mentioning individuals
• Replying inline
• Memoji stickers and editor
• A new photo picker
• Localized message effects for users in India

The Mac App Store showing the Safari Extensions category.

Refinements and new features of the Mac App Store include:

• A section dedicated to the privacy information of an app
• A new Safari extensions category
• Third party Notification Center widgets
• Family sharing of app subscriptions

• Collapsible pinned section
• Quick text style and formatting options
• Scanning enhancements

• New editing capabilities
• Improved Retouch tool
• New zooming feature in views

• "Look Around" interactive street-level 360° panoramas, first implemented in the iOS 13 version of Maps, have been incorporated into the macOS version of Maps.
• Availability of directions for cyclists
• Electric vehicle routing, based on proximity to charging stations and monitoring of battery levels (on selected car models)

• Redesigned interface, consistent with the iOS and watchOS versions, with round buttons amongst a black background.