The macOS Monterey 12.2 release date is likely a few weeks away, but some Mac users may want to start preparing for the software’s arrival.
macOS Monterey 12.1 has only been released for a short time, but Apple has already confirmed the next major update for the latest Mac operating system.
macOS Monterey 12.2 is a milestone update, which means it should bring a mix of new features and under-the-hood improvements to Mac users everywhere.
The macOS Monterey 12.2 beta is available to developers and those enrolled in the company’s public beta software program. The beta software program is free to anyone with a compatible device and an Apple ID. Most people should install the macOS Monterey 12.2 public beta.
If you want to try all the new features and improvements in macOS Monterey 12.2, but don’t want to wait for the official release date, you can try the beta on your Mac.
macOS Monterey 12.2 release date
Apple hasn’t confirmed the release date for macOS Monterey 12.2 and we don’t expect a release anytime soon. It will likely remain in testing for a few more weeks, as Apple is only in its second beta.
At this point, we’re expecting the macOS Monterey 12.2 release date to land in January or February, though we can certainly see it stick around in testing for longer than that.
With the release date of macOS Monterey 12.2 on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about its arrival. In this guide, we’ll outline some tips and tricks that will come in handy as we get closer to the next major update to macOS Monterey for Mac.
Get ready for macOS Monterey 12.2 release date
With the macOS Monterey 12.2 release date on the horizon, some Mac users may want to start doing some prep work.
macOS Monterey 12.2 will almost certainly require considerable space on your Mac’s internal storage. Major new macOS upgrades usually do.
If you’re low on storage, use that time to do some cleaning. Access your Mac’s storage and delete files you no longer need. This will help make room for macOS Monterey. It might also improve the performance of your Mac.
You should also start backing up the data you store on your Mac. Data loss issues are rare, but there’s always a chance that something could go wrong when transitioning from your current version of macOS to macOS Monterey 12.2.
The software may also log you out of some of your applications and services. We recommend having your Apple ID, iCloud information, and third-party app login information handy just in case.
Familiarize yourself with macOS Monterey 12.2 and earlier updates
If you don’t plan to install the beta, be sure to familiarize yourself with the changes in macOS Monterey 12.2. If you do this in advance, you won’t be caught off guard.
We’ve published a guide that will walk you through some of the known changes aboard macOS Monterey 12.2. It’s a great starting point.
If you’re still using an older version of macOS and plan to upgrade to macOS Monterey soon, be sure to familiarize yourself with the latest versions. You will get these changes when upgrading.
To learn more about the latest versions of macOS Monterey, check out our walkthrough. For more on macOS Big Sur, check out our guide.
Most People Should Avoid the macOS Monterey 12.2 Beta
Installing macOS Monterey 12.2 beta on your Mac might be tempting, but most people should skip the beta and wait for the official release.
The macOS Monterey 12.2 beta will help Apple fix bugs and performance issues before they become major headaches for millions of Mac users. It’s also fun to try out new features before they’re released to the general public. That said, beta software can be extremely problematic.
The macOS Monterey 12.2 beta is causing all sorts of issues for testers, and you might run into some of the same issues if you install it on your Mac.
If you’re relying on your Mac to get you through a day of school or work, you’ll probably want to stick with the version of macOS you’re currently using.
Monitor macOS Monterey 12.2 beta feedback
If you’re skipping the macOS Monterey 12.2 beta, and again most people should, be sure to keep an eye out for feedback from beta testers as we work towards the official release of the software.
Monitoring feedback will alert you to potential issues and also alert you to potential benefits. More importantly, it can help you decide if you want to install macOS Monterey 12.2 immediately or wait.
We’ve seen reviews of macOS Monterey 12.2 emerge on sites like YouTube, MacRumors forums and Twitter. Check out these sites if you are curious about the performance of the software.
macOS Monterey 12.2 release date
If you’ve owned a Mac or any other Apple device for a while, you already know this, but for those of you new to Apple’s ecosystem, here’s your PSA.
Apple almost always releases software updates around 10 a.m. Pacific. This will likely be the case for the final release of macOS Monterey 12.2.
Here’s what it looks like for other time zones in the United States:
- East – 1 p.m.
- Center – 12:00 p.m.
- Mountain – 11 a.m.
Keep this in mind if you plan to immediately install the final release of macOS Monterey 12.2.
macOS Monterey 12.2 Download Size
We don’t know how big the macOS Monterey 12.2 download will be, but again, you can expect it to require some free space on your Mac.
You can expect long download times, especially in the moments after Apple releases the update, but the installation process will likely take longer.
We’ll let you know when we know more.
Prepare for macOS Monterey 12.2 issues
macOS Monterey 12.2 went through an extensive beta process, but the final release won’t be perfect. Far from there.
Common macOS issues include abnormal battery drain, Bluetooth issues, Wi-Fi issues, app instability, UI lag, crashes, and Exchange issues.
These issues show up after every macOS release, and chances are we’ll see them appear within minutes, hours, days, and weeks of the macOS Monterey 12.2 release date.
It’ll be hard to predict what kind of performance you’ll get once you’ve moved your Mac to macOS Monterey 12.2, so you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to fix any issues you encounter from day one and beyond.
We’ve released a list of fixes for common macOS Monterey issues. If you don’t consider yourself a macOS expert, you’ll want to bookmark these fixes.
You will also want to bookmark or follow Apple Support on Twitter and bookmark the Apple support page on the company’s website.
You should also be familiar with Apple’s discussion forums.
Learn to downshift
If you’re having issues with macOS Monterey 12.2, you can downgrade to an older version of macOS.
If you’re unfamiliar with the macOS downgrade process, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with it.
Keep your apps up to date
If you want the best experience on macOS Monterey 12.2, be sure to keep your apps up to date before and after the software releases.
As we move towards the macOS Monterey 12.2 release date, keep an eye out for support updates. These updates should help stabilize performance and help your device transition smoothly to the new software.
Before downloading an app update, be sure to read user reviews. These notices will alert you to the benefits and potential issues of the latest version.
Take your time with macOS Monterey 12.2
macOS Monterey 12.2 is an exciting update and some of you might be tempted to install it as soon as it arrives.
For some of you, especially those dealing with macOS Monterey issues and macOS Big Sur issues, this might be the right decision. However, some of you would be better off waiting a few hours, days, or in some cases, weeks before installing the software.
There are many reasons to skip macOS software updates on day one. For one thing, macOS updates can wreak havoc on your device’s performance.
If you’re feeling suspicious, check out the reviews of Mac users downloading macOS Monterey 12.2 right away. If you are still undecided, consider waiting.
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