Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.2 for Mac users running the Monterey operating system. The update includes important security fixes and is therefore recommended for all Mac users to install.
Specifically, macOS Monterey 12.2 patches the Safari security leak that gathered some attention recently, along with patching a handful of other security holes and perhaps other issues or bugs. No new features or changes are otherwise expected in 12.2, and support for Universal Control is not included in the 12.2 release.
Mac users running macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina will find security updates available for their system software versions as well.
Separately, iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates are available to address the same security issues on iPhone and iPad, and updates are also available for watchOS 8.4, HomePod, and tvOS 15.3.
MacOS Monterey 12.1 does not include support for Universal Control, the feature which allows for a single Mac keyboard and mouse to control multiple Macs or iPads, however. That hotly anticipated feature is apparently now delayed until “spring 2022” according to Apple.
How to Download MacOS Monterey 12.2 Update
Always backup Mac with Time Machine before installing any system software update.
- Go to the Apple menu, then choose “System Preferences”
- Select the “Software Update” preference panel
- Choose to “Update Now” when macOS Monterey 12.2 update shows as available
You may need to refresh the software update control panel by hitting Command+R before the macOS Monterey 12.2 update appears for some Mac users.
Despite the update primarily containing a resolution to the Safari security leak bug, the macOS 12.2 update weighs in around 2GB.
Users not yet running macOS Monterey will instead find macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 available as a system software update, or Security Update 2022-001 for Catalina if they’re running macOS Catalina still.
macOS Monterey 12.2 Release Notes
Release notes accompanying the download are brief:
macOS Monterey 12.2 — Restart Required
macOS 12.2 includes bug fixes and security updates for your Mac and is recommended for all users.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
The release notes for macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 Security Update 2022-001 Catalina are basically the same, since those updates cover most of the same security issues.
If you notice anything different or unique about macOS Monterey 12.2, let us know in the comments.