It’s not often that a new macOS beta release gets everyone excited, but that’s exactly what we have here. Apple just released the first macOS Monterey 12.3 beta alongside the iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 betas. Originally, the beta was only available for developers, but Apple has since released the first Public Beta for macOS Monterey 12.3. But what’s new in this latest version of macOS?
Universal Control was debuted at WWDC ’21 alongside macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15. Arguably this was the feature that stole the show, but when iOS 15 and Monterey were released last Fall, the feature was nowhere to be found.
Even after other “point” releases were made available, Apple continued to stay quiet about when Universal Control would actually arrive. That day has finally come, as Universal Control is available (and enabled by default) in the macOS Monterey 12.3 beta with iPadOS 15.4.
With Universal Control, you can use a single mouse/trackpad and keyboard to control multiple devices. This includes going between two Macs or a Mac and an iPad, provided that they are all running the latest software release.
Making Universal Control available now, gives Apple the opportunity to get real-world user feedback before the feature becomes available. At the time of this writing, it appears as though Universal Control will be available for everyone sometime this Spring.
Odds and Ends
There are a few other features that made their way into the first macOS Monterey 12.3 beta. These include better support for Sony’s PS5 DualSense controller, along with the addition of more than 30 new Emoji characters. Apple is also making it possible for you to dismiss security recommendations within iCloud Keychain.
Is Anything Broken?
While this isn’t necessarily broken, those who rely on DropBox or OneDrive for cloud storage may run into some problems with macOS Monterey 12.3. Apple is deprecating the kernel extensions used by both of those applications.
This means that you will not be able to open online-only files in third-party applications on your Mac. Instead, you will need to open those online-only files using Finder. Dropbox and Microsoft are both working on fixes that are available in beta releases of the respective apps.
Another bug that Apple has provided warnings about is for those who have FileVault enabled and have macOS Catalina installed.
If your Mac currently has macOS Catalina installed, installing macOS Monterey 12.3 beta or macOS Big Sur 11.6.4 beta on a volume with FileVault enabled might cause a boot loop when attempting to log back into the previous volume.
Currently, there are no specific ways to fix the potential boot loop problems. However, Apple does offer instructions for installing macOS onto a separate volume. Additionally, you could disable FileVault on a volume before installing the macOS Monterey beta, which would likely avoid the boot loop problems altogether.
macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta Release Notes
Overview
The macOS 12.3 SDK provides support to develop apps for Mac computers running macOS Monterey 12.3 beta. The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 13.3 beta, available from Beta Software Downloads. For information on the compatibility requirements for Xcode 13.3, see Xcode 13.3 Beta Release Notes.
Apple Pay
New Features in macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta
Developers can express payment network preference in PKPaymentRequest. Network preference is determined by the order of supportedNetworks. This won’t override the user’s default card selection, but if the card is multi-SSD, then the network preference order determines which SSD is selected. (80827905)
Authentication
New Features in macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta
Support is added to the passkey technology preview, enabling signing in to passkey-compatible websites and apps on Mac and iPad using an iPhone with a saved passkey. (87998252)
Game Controller
New Features in macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta
Support is now available for new DualSense adaptive trigger firmware features available via GCDualSenseAdaptiveTrigger. (87433163)
iCloud
Known Issues
iCloud+ Custom Email Domain set up flow can’t be initiated from the iCloud settings in System Preferences. (85212987)Workaround: Go to custom email domain to complete email verification and set up an iCloud+ Custom Email Domain.
Kernel
Deprecations
The kernel extensions used by Dropbox Desktop Application and Microsoft OneDrive are no longer available. Both service providers have replacements for this functionality currently in beta. (85890896)
Mobile Software Update
Known Issues
Virtual machines running on Apple silicon are unable to install macOS 12.3 beta. (88106053)
Installing to an empty volume from macOS Recovery might fail. (87730473)Workaround: Use a different version of macOS Recovery. For Intel-based Macs, boot using Option-Command-R; for Macs with Apple silicon, double-press and hold the power button.
Python
Deprecations
Python 2.7 was removed from macOS in this update. Developers should use Python 3 or an alternative language instead. (39795874)
Shortcuts
Resolved in macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta
The Shortcuts Events app, which provides scripting functionality for Shortcuts, no longer needs to be opened once before it can be used. The bundle has moved to /System/Library/CoreServices. If an app relies on the location of the bundle, the code needs to be updated to reference the new location. (85249991)
SKTestSession has three new methods to simulate a subscription requiring price increase consent, simulate consenting to a pending price increase, and simulate declining a price increase in automated tests. (84556183)
SKTestSession has two new Boolean properties to simulate billing retry and grace period in automated tests. You can identify and simulate the resolution of billing retry issues using the same APIs as interrupted purchases. (83956205)
Users can now test the billing retry and grace period states using StoreKit Testing in Xcode. Use Xcode 13.3 or later to enable billing retry testing and toggle whether the app offers a grace period. Use isInBillingRetry and gracePeriodExpirationDate to handle these states in the app. (83938270)
StoreKit error types now conform to LocalizedError. (78735204)
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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