Apple launches second public beta of macOS 12 Monterey

Apple today released the second public beta of macOS 12 Monterey beta to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test new macOS Monterey software before its public release. The second beta comes two weeks after Apple released the first public beta of macOS Monterey.

Public beta testers can download the macOS 12 Monterey update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the appropriate profile from Apple’s beta software website.

‌MacOS Monterey‌ introduces some major updates for the macOS operating system. Universal control, for example, makes it possible to use a single mouse, trackpad, and keyboard across multiple Mac or iPad devices, and it is now possible to AirPlay directly on a Mac from an iPhone, ‌iPad or even from another Mac.

Safari has an updated tab bar and support for tab groups to keep tons of tabs organized, and FaceTime now supports spatial audio, portrait mode (Mac M1 only) and voice isolation to suppress background noise. A ‌FaceTime‌ SharePlay feature allows Apple TV users to watch TV, listen to music and share their screens with each other.

Shared with you, another new feature, keeps track of the music, links, podcasts, news, and photos people receive in Messages, highlighting them in relevant apps. Notes has a new Quick Note feature for jotting down thoughts, and the Shortcuts app is now available on the Mac.

A dedicated Focus mode helps people stay focused on their task by removing background distractions as what’s going on, and there’s an updated Maps app with a whole slew of new features. With Live Text, Macs can now detect text in photos or provide details about animals, art, monuments, plants and more in images.

Mail Privacy Protection hides IP and prevents tracking through web beacons, and iCloud Private Relay protects Safari browsing. There are many other new features in macOS Monterey‌‌, with a full rundown available in our macOS Monterey‌ summary.

In Developer Beta which is the second public beta, Apple changed the default Safari tab bar design following several usage complaints. There is now a dedicated address bar at the top of the Safari window, with tabs laid out below, rather than an integrated all-in-one design. Those who preferred the original design can use the View menu to turn off “Show separate tab bar”.