• GarageBand amps up music creation with all-new Sound Packs from Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and today's top music producers (packs are free downloads for iOS/iPadOS)

  "All-new Remix Sessions and Producer Packs are available today as a free download from the Sound Library in GarageBand 2.3.11, the latest version of the app, for iOS and iPadOS. For more information, visit apple.com/ios/garageband."

  
  
• Optimizing JavaScript Standard Library Functions in JSC (webkit.org)
  
  
• Microsoft Windows 11 on an M1 Mac (sponsor blog)
  
  
• Apple Reports Third Quarter Results (press release)
  - Revenue up 36 percent to new June quarter record.
  - Services revenue reaches new all-time high.
  
  
• 24-inch M1 iMac Teardown and Benchmarks Video (sponsor blog)
  
  
• iOS Chrome browser version 92.0.4515.90 (for iOS 12.2 or later)
  - See linked page for changes. (Also read user reviews.)
  
  
• iMac M1 24" Teardown (ifixit)

• Xcode 13 beta 4 (13A5201i)
• macOS Monterey beta 4 (21A5294g)
• iOS 15 beta 4 (19A5307g)
• iPadOS 15 beta 4 (19A5307g)
• tvOS 15 beta 4 (19J5314e)
• watchOS 8 beta 4 (19R5312e)

"macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."

• iOS 14.7.1 release notes
  - "fixes an issue where iPhone models with Touch ID cannot unlock a paired Apple Watch using the Unlock with iPhone feature. This update also provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."
• iPadOS 14.7.1 release notes
  - "provides important security updates and is recommended for all users."
• About the security content of iOS 14.7.1 and iPadOS 14.7.1
  (Like Big Sur 11.5.1, this vulnerability is reportedly being actively exploited.)

"macOS Big Sur 11.5 includes the following improvements for your Mac:
- Podcasts Library tab allows you to choose to see all shows or only followed shows.

This release also fixes the following issues:
- Music may not update play count and last played date in your library.
- Smart cards may not work when logging into Mac computers with the M1 chip."

• MDM administrators can use the new SetRecoveryLock command to set a password on a Mac with Apple silicon that will be required to enter macOS Recovery.
• MDM administrators can now use the DeviceLock command to lock a Mac with Apple silicon with a six-digit PIN and an optional message.
• Resolves an issue where network extensions that require Rosetta 2 fail to load on first startup after a software update.
• Resolves an issue where System Profiler becomes unresponsive when collecting hardware data.
• SmartCard login no longer fails on Mac computers with Apple silicon when using the checkCertificateTrust key.
• Resolves an issue where MDM app installations may fail when using a proxy configured with a PAC file.
• Resolves an issue where Mac computers with Apple silicon boot to recoveryOS after using startosinstall -eraseinstall.

(Make sure you have a backup before updating. I reboot and update with no apps running. If using any 3rd party Security software, disable or remove it before updating, and make sure you have adequate free space on the volume. (Apple doesn't list required space for Big Sur updates, but lists 35GB or more for upgrades from previous macOS.) If you have trouble installing the update, try updating from Safe Mode. If all else fails, try downloading the full macOS install from the App store.)

Check for feedback in Apple's Big Sur forum. (Replies may be in previous problem threads.)
And for M1 owners, also check the Mac Mini, iMac, MacBook Pro, & MacBook Air forums.

Articles on security fixes (long list)
• About the security content of Security Update 2021-004 Catalina
• About the security content of Security Update 2021-005 Mojave

• Safari 14.1.2 security fixes
  - Available for macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave.
  
  
• iOS 14.7 release notes
• iPadOS 14.7 release notes
• About the security content of iOS 14.7 and iPadOS 14.7
  
  
• tvOS release notes only has this info for 14.7:
  "This update includes general performance and stability improvements".
• About the security content of tvOS 14.7
  
  
• watchOS 7.6 release notes
• About the security content of watchOS 7.6

"Software version 14.7 allows users to manage timers directly from the Home app on iPhone and iPad. This update also includes general performance and stability improvements."

• Improves stability when exporting with certain macOS Language & Region preferences.

• Freeware VM VirtualBox 6.1.26 update.
  - See Change Log for list of fixes & improvements.
  
  
• OWC Introduces Envoy Pro SX Thunderbolt Bus-Powered Portable SSD (sponsor pr)
  
  
• Chrome 92.0.4515.107 Stable Channel Update (google)
  - includes 35 security fixes.
  
  
• 03.23.15 Firmware Update for LG CX/GX/WX OLED TVs
  - post includes info and firmware update download links.
  
  
• 03.13.15 Firmware Update for LG ZX OLED TV
  - Applicable Models List also includes some LG NANO LCD TV models.
  - post includes info and firmware update download link.

• If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime (July 23)
  - originally titled "If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime".
  
  
• (How to) Access and manage files in your iCloud Drive (July 22)
  (originally titled "iCloud Drive FAQ")
  
  
• How to free up storage space on your Mac (July 21)
  
  
• Use Apple Podcasts on your Mac (July 21)
  
  
• Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters (July 20)
  
  
• If your external display isn't detected or appears blurry on your Mac (July 19)
  (was titled "Get help with video problems on external displays connected to your Mac")
  
  
• (How to) Use Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad (July 19)
  
  
• (How to) Add a HomeKit accessory to the Home app (July 19)
  
  
• If your Mac starts up to an Apple logo or progress bar (July 16)
  
  
• Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive (July 16)
  
  
• (How to) Set up home theater audio with HomePod and Apple TV 4K (July 16)
  
  
• How to clean your Apple products (July 16)
  
  
• If you can't make a FaceTime call on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (July 15)
  
  
• Set up your AirTag using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (July 9)
  
  
• Find your keys, wallet, and more with AirTag (July 9)
  
  
• If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod (July 8)
  
  
• If your Windows PC doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod (July 8)
  
  
• If your iPad won't charge (July 9)
  
  
• How to erase a disk for Intel-based Mac (July 6)
  
  
• Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty (June 30)
  - originally titled "Vintage and Obsolete products".
  
  
• If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS (June 28)
  
  
• (How to) Update macOS on Mac (June 28)
  
  
• Wearing your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, EarPods, or Beats devices (June 25)
  
  
• If you can't send or receive email on your Mac (June 25)
  
  
• Get help with your Mac notebook battery (June 24)
  
  
• About battery health management in (Apple Silicon) Mac notebooks (June 24)
  
  
• (How to) Delete spam calendars and events on iPhone (June 24)
  
  
• If your AirPods won't connect (June 24)
  
  
• If you get a personalization error when reinstalling macOS on a M1 chip Mac (June 21)
  
  
• If your left or right AirPod isn't working (June 21)
  
  
• About the security content of iMovie 10.2.4 (June 17)
  
  
• Use an external graphics processor with your Mac (June 15)
  
  
• iOS update and restore errors (June 15)

July 12th to 16th, 2021 News Archive
• Logic Pro 10.6.3 and MainStage 3.5.3 Updates.
• Firefox 90.0 & Firefox ESR 78.12 updates.
• Testing macOS Monterey in a Parallels Virtual Machine.
• UTM: Run Virtual Machines on Your Apple Silicon M1 Mac.
• Micromat TechTool Pro 14.0.2 update.
• Microsoft Office for Mac (365/2019) v16.51.
• Pixelmator for iOS v2.6.4 (bug fix).
• iOS GarageBand version 2.3.11 update.
• iOS Firefox Focus: Privacy browser version 35.0.
• How to Prevent Emails From Tracking You in macOS Mail.
• Apple scores 35 Emmy nominations.
• iOS Clips app version 3.1.1 update (bug fixes).
• Chrome 91.0.4472.164 Stable Channel Update.
• Firmware Updates for Yamaha Receivers, Sound Bars, & CX-A5200.
• LG BX OLED TVs Firmware Update 03.23.25
• LG B8/C8/E8/W8 OLED TVs firmware update 05.30.20.
• Microsoft July 2021 Patch Tuesday details.
• Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates.

For links to older news pages, see the Archives.