Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.1, bringing SharePlay to the Mac with redesigned Memories in Photos, support for the new Apple Music Voice Plan, new safety features for children and parents in Messages, and more.
Releasing alongside iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2 and watchOS 8.3 today, macOS Monterey 12.1 is now available to be installed through System Preferences on the late 2015 iMac and later, 2017 iMac Pro and later, early 2015 MacBook Air and later, early 2015 MacBook Pro and later, late 2013 Mac pro and later, late 2014 Mac mini and later, and early 2016 MacBook and later.
SharePlay lets users stream movies and TV shows while on a FaceTime call with synced playback and controls so that everyone in the call sees the same moments at the same time. When listening to music together, everyone in the call can see what’s next and add songs to a shared queue with synced playback and controls.
Like with iOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1 introduces Apple’s new Communication Safety in Messages features, which include tools to warn children and their parents when a child receives or sends sexually explicit photos. With the update, iMessage will show warnings that notify children and their parents when a sexually explicit image is sent or received on a device connected to iCloud Family Sharing as well as the automatic blurring of explicit images sent in Messages.
macOS Monterey 12.1 adds SharePlay, an entirely new way to have shared experiences with family and friends in FaceTime. This update also includes the Apple Music Voice Plan, new safety features for children and parents in Messages, redesigned Memories in Photos, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.
macOS Monterey was first previewed in June at WWDC, with Apple describing the update as adding “new ways to connect with friends and family, work smarter across devices, and stay focused.”
Here’s everything you need to know about macOS Monterey