Take Control of Monterey (1.2)

Get to know macOS 12 Monterey!
Version 1.2, updated June 29, 2022

macOS 12 Monterey builds on the changes in Big Sur, making your Intel or M-series Mac even more powerful and easier to use. This book teaches you how to prepare for a smooth transition to the new version of macOS—and what to do once you've upgraded. Learn your way around, find out about new capabilities (and a few pitfalls), and improve your privacy and security.

Following 2020's Big Sur release, which massively overhauled the macOS interface and introduced support for M-series (Apple silicon) Macs, we have macOS 12 Monterey. Although the look and feel are quite similar to Big Sur, Monterey adds refinements, improvements, and interesting new features to books your productivity and your privacy.

As was the case for Big Sur, we're not publishing a separate Take Control of Upgrading to Monterey book. Instead, complete upgrading instructions are included here, along with details about what to expect before, during, and after your Monterey installation.

Among the many subjects covered in this book are:

How to tell whether your Mac is compatible with Monterey
Steps you should take before upgrading
Upgrading from the Monterey public beta
How to perform an in-place upgrade—or do a clean install and migrate your old data from a backup
Improvements to FaceTime, such as updated audio and video options, scheduled meetings, and (later this year) SharePlay
New Messages feature, including Shared with You better handling of photos, and new Memoji options
Changes in Safari 15–-including last-minute changes to address design flaws in the new interface for tabs
The Focus feature that takes Do Not Disturb to a new level
Shortcuts, which has made its way from iOS/iPadOS to macOS and added new features
What's new in the Maps app, including more city detail, Driving mode, and better transit support
Small but interesting changes throughout macOS, such as AirPlay to Mac, iCloud+, improved password support, and Quick Note
Improvements to bundled apps, including Books, Finder, Mail, Notes, Photos, and more