- Apple provided an update package for every macOS before.
- macOS Big Sur is not available as a standalone package.
- Apple hasn’t given any official statement yet.
Apple has always had its own operating system for its range of Mac computers and notebooks. It is too popular and widely used desktop OS like Microsoft Windows. One of the differentiating features of macOS is the Updatation Method. Mac Users can update macOS via the Software Update menu within the System Preferences app.
Mac users can also obtain the identical updates as a standalone setup package downloadable from Apple’s own Apple support website. But the unique update method is extinct as of now.
Discontinuation of Feature
Mr. Macintosh confirmed the missing features and then confirmed again by The Eclectic Light Company. Apple didn’t present downloadable replacement packages for macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 and macOS Big Sur 11.1. No delta or combo updates have been launched on the Apple Support website for the most recent variations of macOS Big Sur at the time of writing this article.
This leaves Apple’s Mac users with no choice other than to make use of the Software Update menu with the purpose to update from their current macOS to macOS Big Sur.
Mr. Macintosh stated that: “A robust case if required for the reinstatement of standalone installer variations of Big Sur updates, it’s almost certain that none might be offered for obtain – as has already occurred with the 11.0.1 and 11.1 updates”
A Vital Feature
Prior to the inclusion of the package, users had to download standalone updates for each of the Macs they owned. If you were a Mac user with multiple Macs you could simply download a single package file from Apple’s Support Website and can use the same file to update the remaining Macs in your workspace or house.
The other benefits would have been the space-saving on the Macs of about 12GB. To update the Macs through OTA update would require each and every Mac installed with a proprietary macOS installer that is around 12GB in size.
Apple has not yet confirmed the omission of the feature. The package would resurface soon if in case the product gets delayed for unknown reasons.