Big Sur update

Look below the upgrade notice for Tahoe. macOS will usually show the minor update patches to your current OS just below the main upgrade notice. It is very easy to overlook as it may be in fine print with a tiny link to click on.

Here is an example:

Edit: If the update does not appear here, then you can try using the command line to look for updates:

softwareupdate  --list

There is also an option to install specific updates....review the software update manual pages:

man  softwareupdate

I assume, that as with other updates recently, you only get the most recent update your Mac can support, and Apple is not offering point updates of older OS versions for devices or computers that support a greater upgraded version.

If your Mac can run Tahoe, you will only get Tahoe.

Tom Wolsky wrote:

Charming. So I will not be able to use Messages or FaceTime on that system in Big Sur.

After January 2027, those services may no longer work yes.

Would it be difficult for Apple in any way to make the update available to any Big Suit system? It seems inordinately foolish. .

Don't think it's difficult, but for some reason Apple has chose to stop offering point updates to devices that can run a newer major version. At least on iPads and iPhones this has been the case with several of the recent updates.

I have no way to prove this, but it seems to me if there is no option for a Big Sur point update on your computer, the same is applying there.

Here you go Tom:

Unenroll and you should be offered the update. You can then continue to use FaceTime and Messages on that Mac for years to come.

You'll need to reboot.

You won't be missing anything since there have not been any Monterey beta updates for a long time.

It's easy to overlook. Once beta testing is over you get tossed aside and forgotten about like a discarded Christmas tree.