European Union Flag
European Apple Users Information & Support
LOGIN
Buy Corel Painter
The next event is:
IRX & eDX

From 22 May 2024
to 23 May 2024
More events…

macOS 14 Sonoma
FREE
 Amazon UK Mac Software Affiliate Link

ABBYY FineReader PDF for Mac

macOS 11 Big Sur Third Party Product Compatibility Info

Article ID = 243
Article Title = macOS 11 Big Sur Third Party Product Compatibility Info
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 11th August 2020
Article Last Updated = 9th March 2021
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?243=

Article Brief Description:
A list of information relating to third party software products and their compatibility with macOS 11 Big Sur

macOS 11 Big Sur Third Party Product Compatibility Information

Apple File System (APFS)
Big Sur uses a low-level file system called Apple File System (APFS) - this could affect many third party software products especially disk utilities that work directly with the file system e.g. DiskWarrior and TechTool Pro along with products that share/serve files over a network. We have a separate article with information about APFS and some frequently asked questions.
Third Party Apps/Hardware Specifically NOT Compatible With APFS
Gatekeeper
Some (older) software may not install or run on Big Sur due to the Gatekeeper security feature. However, it will work, you just need to temporarily bypass gatekeeper if you are sure the software is trusted and safe - see our Gatekeeper article for more information.
System Integrity Protection (SIP)
Big Sur includes a low-level security technology called System Integrity Protection (SIP) which prevents the modification or removal of certain system files - this could affect third party products that try to install/modify files/folders at the system level. We have a separate article all about SIP.
HiDPI
If you have a HiDPI compatible monitor connected e.g. Retina Display, UltraHD, 4K, 5K, Big Sur will try to run applications in HiDPI mode on them. Older applications (written before HiDPI was available) may have problems with this. It is possible to run older, individual applications in "low resolution" mode (Get Info on the application in the Finder and tick "Open in Low Resolution" - if that option is not there then you can't).
Products Specifically NOT Big Sur Compatible (including earlier versions thereof)
See also, our list of 32-bit applications
Products Specifically NOT Big Sur Compatible
but they should be updated in the future to be compatible
Companies
Printer And Scanner Manufacturers/Drivers
Official Apple list of printer and scanner drivers included with macOS - As of October 2018, this list is no longer updated!
Individual Products
If a product is not listed above it doesn't mean it does or doesn't work with macOS 11 Big Sur. Make sure you are running the latest version of the software and if you still have problems check the developer/manufacturer web site. If you spot any Big Sur compatibility information online that we don't have above be sure to let us know the link/URL.
Maths/chemistry/scientific users should also check out this blog post that lists compatible/incompatible Big Sur software.
Musicians should also check out this web page that lists compatible/incompatible Big Sur software.
You could also check out this web site that lists compatible/incompatible Big Sur software.
Network Attached Storage (NAS) Products And Servers For Time Machine Backups Over SMB
macOS 11 Big Sur supports Time Machine backups over SMB - it may be the only way to use Time Machine over a network, we're checking into this and will update this article when we have more information. The basic NAS and Server requirements are:
  • SMB protocol version 3.x, including SMB 3.x signing
  • Handling of SMB2_CREATE_DURABLE_HANDLE_REQUEST_V2 requests, including the Timeout field
  • Handling of SMB2_CREATE_REQUEST_LEASE_V2 requests
  • Handling of SMB2_CREATE_DURABLE_HANDLE_RECONNECT_V2 requests
  • Support for Bonjour discovery
  • Support for Apple’s F_FULLFSYNC extension to the SMB2 FLUSH command
Apple has detailed NAS and Server SMB requirements/technical information on their Developer web site. Products known to support Time Machine over SMB:
Network Attached Storage (NAS) Products And Servers For Time Machine Backups Over AFP
AFP (Apple File Protocol) is deprecated but still works in Big Sur as a client connecting to an AFP server. It should support Time Machine backups over AFP, we're checking into this and will update this article when we have more information. NAS and Server products must support AFP protocol version 3.3 or later (introduced with OS X 10.7 Lion) if they are to be used for Time Machine backups. If you use NAS products that utilise open source software (FreeNAS and/or Netatalk) - FreeNas must be at least version 8.1 and Netatalk must be at least version 2.2.0. Specifically:
  • AppleShare IP (ASIP) - You are out of luck, sorry no update will ever be issued.
  • Buffalo NAS - check your product is macOS 11 Big Sur compatible.
  • DataRobotics / Drobo - AFP v3.3 supported support area.
  • FreeNAS - AFP v3.3 supported with v8.3.1 or later
  • Lacie NAS - check your product is macOS 11 Big Sur compatible.
  • Microsoft Windows Home Server (including HP MediaSmart Servers): HP have abandoned their original implementation of this software so there will be no update from HP. Microsoft's Windows Home Server 2011 even with the latest service pack does not support AFP protocol v3.3 or later. WHS is unlikely to ever support AFP protocol v3.3 or later. Also note:
    • Some implementations of Windows Home Server install Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection software. You can download the latest version from the Mac App Store
    • Windows Home Server 2011 installs an application called "Launchpad" - but so does Big Sur. If you install Big Sur first and then try to install WHS's Launchpad, you can't and currently there is no fix. If you have WHS installed and upgrade to Big Sur you won't get Maverick's Launchpad. Follow these steps to fix:
      1. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications folder and delete the Launchpad application.
      2. Go to Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Microsoft and delete the "Launchpad" folder.
      3. Go to Macintosh HD > Library > Preferences > and delete the "com.microsoft.launchpad.plist" file.
      4. Go to Macintosh HD > Users > ~your home directory > Library > Application Support > Microsoft and delete the "Launchpad" folder.
      5. Restart your computer.
      6. Locate the Big Sur disc image and open it so it mounts on your desktop.
      7. In the mounted Big Sur disc image go to the Packages folder
      8. Double click the "Essentials.pkg" package to start the software installation.
      9. Follow the on screen instructions to install (Big Sur's Launchpad application).
    • Proxure have a WHS add-in for Mac backups called KeepVault Connector but there is little information on it and their links don't work
  • Netgear/Infrant ReadyNAS - use ReadyNAS OS 6 or later
  • QNAP - Time Machine supported.
  • Synology - Time Machine supported.
  • Western Digital NAS e.g. "MyBook World" - Time Machine compatibility
Apple has detailed NAS and Server AFP requirements/technical information on their Developer web site.

Article Keywords: macOS 11 Big Sur 1100 third 3rd party software product compatibility

This article is © MacStrategy » a trading name of Burning Helix. As an Amazon Associate, employees of MacStrategy's holding company (Burning Helix sro) may earn from qualifying purchases. Apple, the Apple logo, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix to help fund this web site.
If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix to help fund this web site.

Go to this
web page
to donate to us.