Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

The MacOS Monterey public beta is here, but it’s missing an important feature

By
Promotional logo for WWDC 2023.
This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage

A public beta version of the new version of MacOS, known as MacOS 12 Monterey, is ready to be downloaded now. It’s an exciting day for enthusiastic Mac fans looking to preview some of the new features that were announced at WWDC. Unfortunately, some of the highest-profile features are missing from this version, such as Universal Control.

Universal Control was the biggest surprise of the new features, allowing MacBooks, iMacs, and iPads to all wirelessly connect without even requiring a setup. The devices can then all be controlled by a single set of inputs, such as a MacBook trackpad and keyboard.

Universal Control on the Mac, allowing for direct interaction between iPads and Macs.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The public beta is almost identical to the second version of the developer beta that was released two days ago, except it will now be available for the general public rather than requiring an Apple developer account. Also missing in both the developer build and the public beta are functioning versions of QuickNote, Focus, and Shared With You.

Recommended Videos

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth installing, though. MacOS Monterey is the successor to Big Sur, and it comes with a number of features that Mac fans have been interested to try out. Among the new features announced at the company’s annual WWDC are AirPlay to Mac and SharePlay, both features you can try out in the public beta.

Monterey also includes some of the new features of iOS 15, such as spatial audio in FaceTime calls, the updated version of Safari, and a significant update to Note. Features like Universal Control will likely be coming in future updates of the beta software, sometime between now and the official launch later this fall.

It is important to note that the betas contain pre-release bugs along with new features. They may also prevent you from using your device as you normally do. Therefore, they’re not recommended for your primary device, and it is highly advisable to download on a device you’re not dependent on. Many people even suggest avoiding the beta version unless you need it for software development or you have secondary devices you don’t rely on.

With the launch of this version of MacOS Monterey, Apple has now finished its complete suite of public betas, including iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and WatchOS 8.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dua Rashid
Dua Rashid
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Dua is a media studies graduate student at The New School. She has been hooked on technology since she was a kid and used to…
Don’t download the latest macOS Ventura update just yet
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip seen from behind.

We have a warning if your MacBook or other Mac machine is still running macOS Ventura. The latest macOS Ventura 13.6.6 update is bringing a lot of big bugs, and it is affecting the way that people are using their favorite Apple products, so you might want to hold off on downloading the update.

Originally released back on March 25, this problematic update came at the same time as macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, which patched issues with Java, USB hubs, and more. Unfortunately, though, macOS Ventura 13.6.6 is introducing some new issues of its own. Spotted by the folks at GottaBeMobile, Mac users have taken to Apple's support forums to complain of everyday issues linked to this release that are breaking their Macs.

Read more
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
The keyboard and trackpad of the MacBook Pro 14-inch.

For most new Mac users -- especially if they're coming from Windows -- one of the first questions they need to ask is how to take a screenshot on a Mac? There's no dedicated Print Screen key like there is on Windows, but there is keyboard shortcut, and if you want something more akin to Microsoft's Windows Snipping tool, there are some great screenshot apps you can use, too.

Here's how to take a screenshot on a Mac in a few different ways.
How to take a screenshot using keyboard shortcuts
MacOS keyboard shortcuts are the quickest ways to take screenshots, whether you're capturing the entire screen or just a portion. By default, Apple's methods save your screenshot to the desktop, but if you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard, there's a keyboard shortcut you can use instead.
How to capture a selected area

Read more
I was wrong about using Stage Manager on Mac
Stage manager in macOS Ventura.

Stage Manager is one of those software features that has had a rather bumpy road since Apple launched it in 2022. The unique multitasking feature has landed itself in a heap of criticism over its short lifespan.

I, however, was not one of these critics. I was super excited by Stage Manager and the promise it contained. It was something new and shiny, here to shake up macOS in a fresh and different way. Even after using it myself, I foresaw it fundamentally changing the way I used my Mac.

Read more