After a couple of months of beta testing, which started in October 2021, Apple has just released macOS Monterey 12.1 for all compatible Macs. This is the first major point release of Monterey from Apple since its initial public release in late October 2021.

The update introduces several features that were first teased by Apple at WWDC 2021 when it first unveiled the OS.

macOS Monterey 12.1 Brings SharePlay to the Mac

The highlight of macOS Monterey 12.1 has to be the introduction of SharePlay. Apple brought this feature to the iPhones first with the release of iOS 15.1 in October 2021. SharePlay allows you to watch movies on Apple TV, listen to music, and more with your friends or family over FaceTime calls.

The update also adds Apple Music Voice Plan support, a new Apple Music subscription tier that starts from $4.99 per month and provides you with access to the entire catalog of music through Siri.

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The Hide My Email feature is being extended to the Mail app with macOS Monterey 12.1, allowing users to easily create a random and unique email address while sending mails to protect their privacy. The Photos app is also getting several improvements, including support for new Memory types like international holidays, child-focus memories, and more.

In the Messages app, Apple is adding a Communication safety setting that will scan all the messages a child receives for nude content and automatically block them, thereby giving parents additional peace of mind. Apart from all the above changes, Monterey's first major point release fixes many bugs found in the new M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, including the one that prevents the M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro from charging when its lid is closed.

Universal Control Now Coming in 2022

More notably, perhaps, macOS Monterey 12.1 does not mark the debut of Universal Control—a feature that Apple first teased at WWDC 2021. It will magically allow users to drag and drop content from their Mac to the iPad and vice versa. The feature is now scheduled to arrive in the spring of 2022.

macOS Monterey 12.1 update is available for all compatible Macs. You can download it from System Preferences > Software Update. The update size will vary depending on the Mac you use, but it is around 2.5-3GB in size, so make sure you have access to a speedy internet connection before starting the download. The installation process itself will also take a while.

You Can Now Upgrade Your Mac to Monterey

macOS Monterey 12.1 is a solid update that aims to further refine the OS and squash all the lingering bugs. If you still have not updated your Mac to Monterey, you can now do so, as Apple has taken care of all the initial issues plaguing the OS.