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macOS Big Sur Problems: 5 Things to Know

Published

3 years ago

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The macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 update is causing problems for some Mac users.

Apple’s pushed out a new macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 update and it’s available to download right now if you’ve held off on a move to macOS Monterey or macOS Ventura or if your Mac was left behind on macOS Big Sur. The software brings an important bug fix to Mac owners still lingering around on macOS Big Sur.

Some Mac users are noticing a big difference after moving their computer up from the previous version of macOS Big Sur, macOS Big Sur 11.7.3, and older versions of macOS.

On the flip side, some Mac users have run into bugs and performance issues. Some of these issues have carried over from macOS Big Sur 11.7.3, others are brand new.

In this guide to macOS Big Sur problems we’ll take you through the current state of the issues. We’ll show you where to find potential fixes for the most common macOS Big Sur problems and provide you with some resources that should help if do you run into trouble.

We’ll also touch on the macOS downgrade process and outline what you can expect from Apple and macOS Big Sur down the road.

macOS Big Sur Problems

We’ve seen complaints about macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 and older versions of macOS Big Sur. Some of the problems are minor and others are far more problematic.

Some Mac users are having trouble downloading and installing the new software. If your macOS installation gets stuck, try powering your Mac off and on. This typically resolves the issue.

If you’re dealing with installation errors, and you’re using a 2013 or 2014 MacBook, have a look at this guide from Apple.

We’re also seeing complaints about long download times, lag, Touch ID issues, issues with first and third-party apps including Box Drive, iMessage issues, Wi-Fi problems, Bluetooth problems, lockups, freezes, and crashes.

The macOS Big Sur update is also bricking some older MacBook models. The problems appear fairly widespread and they’re mostly impacting owners of 2013 MacBook Pro and mid-2014 MacBook Pro models. These are the oldest MacBook models supported by macOS Big Sur.

Owners of Apple’s M1 MacBook Pros are complaining about a Fast User Switching bug that leaves them unable to close the screensaver. This leaves the device unusable until the lid is closed and opened again, the Alt-Command-Q key combination is used, or the Power/Touch ID key is pressed. In order to fix the issue, users need to shut off Fast User Switching.

On top of that, macOS Big Sur users are running into a nasty issue with the Apple News application. The popular app is reportedly causing extremely large background downloads for some users. If you’re unsure about whether the issue is impacting your machine, you can check in Activity Monitor.

It’s unclear when or even if Apple will issue a fix so Mac users dealing with the problem are on their own for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, there’s a quick manual fix available. Here’s what you need to do in order to fix the problem:

  • Open System Preferences on your Mac.
  • Click on Apple ID in the top right corner of the menu.
  • From there, select iCloud on the left side of the screen.
  • Once there, you’ll want to scroll down and uncheck News to turn off iCloud syncing.
  • You can then choose to keep iCloud News data on your Mac or delete it. If you choose to delete it, the data will stay put on your other Apple devices.

If you’re experiencing this issue on your MacBook Pro, you’ll want to get in contact with Apple support because the company will fix the problem for free.

If you haven’t downloaded the latest version of macOS yet, we recommend preparing your Mac for the download. Some prep work ahead of time can help you avoid major headaches.

We’ve put together a step-by-step pre-installation process and it will take you through the best way to prepare for the move.

Where to Find macOS Big Sur Reviews

If you’re currently running macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 or you’re planning to upgrade, you’ll want to sift through feedback from users who have downloaded it. This feedback will alert you to potential bugs and performance issues.

We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter/Facebook, and the MacRumors forums for additional feedback about macOS Big Sur 11.7.4’s performance.

How to Fix macOS Big Sur Problems

Some issues might require a fix from Apple, but some you might be able to fix on your own.

Before you make an appointment at your local Apple Store, have a look at our list of fixes for the most common macOS Big Sur problems. We’ve also released a guide that shows you how to fix macOS Big Sur battery life problems.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our guides, you should head on over to Apple’s discussion forums. If they can’t help you, you might want to get in contact with Apple Support via Twitter or with customer support via Apple’s website.

If you still can’t fix your issue(s), you might want to schedule an appointment to see a Genius at your local Apple Store. They should be able to diagnose your problem in minutes.

macOS Big Sur Downgrade

If you run into major issues on macOS Big Sur 11.7.4 or an older version of macOS Big Sur, you can downgrade your Mac’s software. There is no time limit and it’s easy if you have a good backup for your Mac.

If you want to get your Mac off of your current version of macOS Big Sur, you just need to start your Mac in safe mode and choose Restore from Time Machine Backup.

This will take some time, so you’ll need to stay patient, but it’s an option if you can’t wait for Apple to release the next version of macOS Big Sur.

What’s Next

It’s unclear when we’ll see a new version of macOS Big Sur.

Apple may continue to update the operating system with new security updates throughout the year so you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for new software.

When Apple does release a new version of macOS Big Sur, it will likely arrive alongside a new version of macOS Monterey and/or macOS Ventura.

The company won’t force you to install macOS Ventura or macOS Monterey on your Mac so if you want to stay put on macOS Big Sur for the time being you can do so.

For more on the latest version of macOS Monterey, check out our guide. And for more about the latest version of macOS Ventura, head here.

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