Big Sur already installed on MacBook Air M1?

Welcome, WhatMeWorry2, to Apple Support Communities!

The M1 Macs can’t run anything older than Big Sur, so they come with Big Sur already installed!

I believe the MacBookAir with M1 Chip had the Big Sur 11.0 installed by Apple and the update mentioned was the version 11.0.1.

To verify what version is Now Installed >> Go to Apple Icon Top Left >> About this Mac. Another windows will appear On the Big Sur just below in small letter will say Version 11.XX - It should be reading 11.0.1

Do you have your M1 MacBook Air, yet, WhatMeWorry2?

If so, check what version is on it, and see if there are any updates.

If not, then downloading a version using a non-M1 Mac is unlikely to be of any benefit to you.

(Version 11.0.1 was the very first released version for Intel based Macs.)

See this article regards Big Sur 11.0.1 https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/19/apple-releases-macos-11-0-1-big-sur-revised/

However, P. Phillips, the actual install of Big Sur doesn’t appear to have changed (by other articles).

The only change, in the new build of macOS 11.0.1, seems to be in disallowing installation on certain 2013–2014 MacBooks (or just these years of MacBook Pros), due to certain issue with such.

Yes, P. Phillips. I fully agree with the sentiments on «True these days».

These were articles provided by other users, in the Apple Support Communities, on Bug Sur issues.

I’ll see if I can relocate them.

(One was the same Mac Rumors article you shared, though I seem to remember its wording being a bit less clear, when I first read it. But, maybe I’m remembering a different article, which was so worded as to suggest they thought Big Sur 11.0.1 was the new update.)

One of the articles was Apple’s own statements about issues with 2013–2014 MacBooks (especially Pros), that I don’t see in my open tabs, anymore. (I hate the regressive change that, once again, limits how many tabs Safari can have open, on my iPad.)

Here’s the Apple support article: If you can’t install macOS Big Sur on certain 13-inch MacBook Pro computers from 2013 and 2014 - Apple Support.

It doesn’t explicitly state that such MacBooks will be prevented from upgrading to Big Sur, until further notice. However, part of that is, likely, due to the fact that some already had, and that the old installer is, potentially, still “in the wild”. (I don’t know if Apple can prevent that old installer from installing on such MacBooks. I suspect they cannot, or they would have simply “flipped” that “switch”, instead of releasing a new installer.)

Please, no need to find the articles. I too had the MBP 2013 - 2014 Support Document bookmark but have since removed as the Issue was well documents on these forums and other places. For those affected by this, just hope Apple resolves things soon, for them. As for WhatMeWorry2 issue, that too was resolved and all is working.

Yes, Truth. Old values disappearing sadly ;>(((

Pierre

In the spirit of sheer interest - can the articles in question be provided. It is said for verification purposes. Tend not to take things a True these day without cross reference.

That is good to know. The most important thing in all this, computer is up-to-date after the last update was installed and functions well. Enjoy to newest toy from Apple.

Pierre

Yes, mine came that way with latest OS