The Mac operating system macOS 12 Monterey from Apple was presented in June 2021 and rolled out in October 2021 for all users with compatible computers. Here you will find a summary of the new functions and tools of the system, information on the compatible Mac, iMac and MacBook models, help for the macOS Monterey download, tips for creating a boot stick, the source for the high-resolution Monterey -Wallpaper, an overview of problems and troubleshooting when upgrading to the OS and other practical content. Have fun browsing!
Chapter in this post:
- 1 macOS 12 Monterey - What's new in this Mac operating system?
- 2 Which Mac models are compatible with macOS Monterey?
- 3 How can I download macOS Monterey?
- 4 Create a boot stick with macOS 12: Here's how!
- 5 macOS Monterey wallpapers - Where can I find the desktop backgrounds?
- 6 Monterey Upgrade: Problems and Solutions
- 7 macOS Monterey manuals and guides
- 8 Your opinion on macOS 12 Monterey
- 9 Similar posts
macOS 12 Monterey - What's New in This Mac Operating System?
After macOS 11 Big Sur, this is the second Mac operating system from Apple that was made for the in-house M1 chips. Although it also runs on older models of Mac, iMac, MacBook, Mac mini and Co. with Intel chips, it is primarily made for the new technology. macOS 12 Monterey was presented on June 7, 2021 as part of WWDC21 Keynote. The first new features were also presented at the same time.
In interaction with iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and tvOS 15, for example, “SharePlay” was highlighted, a way of sharing multimedia content (films, series, etc.) via FaceTime and making calls with one another. “Universal Control” is also intended for cross-platform and cross-device use, with which the keyboard and mouse can be used on multiple devices - on multiple Macs as well as on the iPad. Files can even be dragged from one device to the other.
AirPlay and Siri shortcuts can be named as previously only mobile features that are also available on Mac, iMac, MacBook and Co. with macOS 12 Monterey. Thanks to AirPlay, Mac computers can now be used, for example, from the iPhone or iPad as a screen and / or speaker. Monterey also brings Spacial Audio (3D audio), new note options, a system-wide translator function, live text, new map views and much more.
Here are two articles that will give you a deeper insight:
- WWDC21 Keynote Summary: New Systems, No Hardware
- List: Mac OS, OS X and macOS versions with name and number at a glance
Which Mac models are compatible with macOS Monterey?
The Mac operating system from 2021 is a modern version of macOS that builds on the predecessor macOS 11 Big Sur. This actually ended the era of OS X and macOS 10.x. However, macOS 12 Monterey is also compatible with older Apple computers. Here is a short list as a first overview:
- iMac late 2015 and newer
- iMac Pro 2017 and newer
- MacBook Air early 2015 and newer
- MacBook Pro early 2015 and newer
- Mac Pro late 2013 and newer
- Mac mini late 2014 and newer
- MacBook early 2016 and newer
If you are not entirely sure whether your iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini or MacBook falls into the grid, feel free to stay here. Because of course we have a post with a detailed list for you: Is my Mac compatible with macOS Monterey? - There you will find all models and generations that are meant in the above list from the oldest to the newest model. Incidentally, this was one of the first Macs to ship with macOS 12 Monterey MacBook Pro 16 ″ (2021) and the MacBook Pro 14 ″ (2021).
How can I download macOS Monterey?
If you want to download this Mac operating system from Apple, the easiest way to do this is currently as an upgrade option in the Mac App Store (as of October 28, 2021). However, if you don't want to update your Mac to the new system, but just perform a download, you can also go a few other ways.
After downloading the “Install macOS Monterey.app” you can, for example, find the SharedSupport.dmg or InstallESD.dmg by right-clicking and viewing the package contents. Then you have macOS Monterey as DMG. Downloading a macOS Monterey DMG or macOS Monterey ISO from third-party sources is not recommended.
If you still want to implement the macOS Monterey download entirely without the App Store, then you can z. B. the ANYmacOS App use. These are available for free on the Website of the developer Sascha Lamprecht. With ANYmacOS you can download public versions of operating systems as well as beta versions. This works on Macs from macOS 10.10 and for downloading systems from macOS 10.13.6.
Create a boot stick with macOS 12: Here's how!
Do you want to create a boot stick with the macOS Monterey download to run the operating system e.g. For example, to install it on a Mac, iMac or MacBook without internet access, you can do that with the program mentioned above. In addition to downloading, the ANYmacOS app also offers the option of creating an installation medium with macOS installer. You can also upgrade multiple Macs without having to download Monterey individually. Just have a look at the article on the app linked above, everything is explained there.
macOS Monterey Wallpaper - Where can I find the desktop backgrounds?
Every Mac operating system from Mac OS to OS X to macOS comes with its own wallpaper. And the macOS 12 Monterey desktop background shows directly: this is the operating system from 2021. If you want to use the background in crispy 6K resolution but also with older systems, on Windows PCs or on Linux machines, there is corresponding download sources, such as 512pixels.net.
On the website of the “Every Default macOS Wallpaper” project you will not only find the desktop background from macOS Monterey, but also all other start backgrounds (default wallpapers) from OS X 10.0 Cheetah to macOS 11 Big Sur. You come to choose the pictures in 5K and 6K resolution with this link. Other interesting projects on the site are the “Apple History Library” and the “Aqua Screenshot Library”.
Monterey Upgrade: Problems and Solutions
If you update your Mac, your iMac, the Mac mini, the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air or another Apple computer to macOS 12 Monterey, then it might work 100% well. There can always be a few minor or major problems when you equip your Mac with a new operating system. It is therefore advisable to make a Time Machine backup beforehand. This allows the computer to be reset in an emergency.
But if you only notice small and tendentially temporary problems, then this article may help you: macOS 12 Monterey Problems and Solutions. In it we collect both general errors and bugs that can occur with every macOS upgrade, as well as problems that arise specifically with Monterey. Do you have any additions or the solution to a problem, please leave a comment under the post.
macOS Monterey manuals and guides
In addition to the official offer from Apple, which you can find in the form of support documents and instructions on the Apple website and in the form of free eBooks in the books app / in the iTunes Store, there are also other manual and tutorial offers.
Here in the blog we have already presented three of them here: macOS Monterey how-to guides - manuals, keyboard shortcuts, videos, and more. There you will also find a book by Anton Ochsenkühn, which gives access to 5 hours of explanatory videos using QR codes. In this way, the range of texts and screenshots is expanded extremely practically.
- Anton Ochsenkühn (Author)
- Simone Ochsenkühn (Author)
Your opinion on macOS 12 Monterey
Finally, I would have liked to hear your opinion on macOS 12 Monterey from 2021. How do you like the new operating system for Apple computers? Did you have to get used to some of the features or new design elements or did the switch work right away? What do you like the most? Just leave a comment with your thoughts on Monterey.
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
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Wow a very extensive contribution to the new OS! Thanks!