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

The latest Mac Monterey update fixes some nasty bugs

Fionna Agomuoh
By

Apple’s latest MacOS Monterey 12.3.1 update addresses the Bluetooth and display issues that have been plaguing Mac owners for several weeks.

Eligible Mac users can access and download the MacOS Monterey‌‌‌ 12.3‌‌.1 update through the Software Update section of System Preferences.

Widgets in the MacOS Monterey Notification Center.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The fix comes after users had been complaining about connectivity troubles in MacOS Monterey‌‌‌ 12.3‌‌ with various accessories, such as game controls, displays, and graphics card components in external GPUs. Word of the issues seemed to surface first on Reddit, with users describing that Xbox, PlayStation, and other third-party controllers were not being recognized by MacOS 12.3.

Recommended Videos

Other issues users have noted include a potential power management flaw with Bluetooth headphones, and malfunctions with connectivity to USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort monitors.

Related

Prior to the fix, users said the controller issues were persistent regardless of troubleshooting efforts, while display issues could be remedied by unplugging ports from their power sources and plugging them back in.

The changelog for MacOS Monterey‌ 12.3.1 says that Apple has addressed issues including USB-C or Thunderbolt external display connections turning off when attached to a second display — Mac mini (2018) — and Bluetooth devices disconnecting from Macs when playing audio through certain Beats headphones, MacRumors noted.

Apple also provides fixes in ‌MacOS Monterey‌ 12.3.1 for two vulnerabilities. One is an AppleAVD bug, which “could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.” The other is an “Intel Graphics Driver issue that could allow an application to read kernel memory,” the publication added.

Apple says the vulnerabilities may have been actively exploited. Because of this, the company says that users should update to the new system version as soon as possible.

In addition to the MacOS Monterey‌ 12.3.1 update, Apple has also released other incremental updates, including iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, tvOS 15.4.1, watchOS 8.5.1, and HomePod 15.4.1 software.

Apple’s MacOS Monterey‌‌‌ 12.3‌‌ initially released on March 14, with Universal Control as a highlight feature.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh
Computing Writer
Fionna Agomuoh is a technology journalist with over a decade of experience writing about various consumer electronics topics…
Apple fixed one of my biggest macOS gripes with Sonoma — but I still want more
Federighi talking about Continuity Camera.

Apple’s macOS Sonoma update has just been launched and, let’s be honest here, it’s a pretty modest upgrade (probably thanks to the work required on the Vision Pro’s software). Still, when Apple unveiled Sonoma a few months ago, there was one feature that got me excited: Continuity Camera.

This nifty tool lets you use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam. Sure, it actually debuted with macOS Ventura, but this year we’ve got much more control over how it works. Sliders! Toggles! Yes, it’s all here.

Read more
Update your Apple devices now to fix these dangerous exploits
A person using a laptop with a set of code seen on the display.

If you’re an Apple user -- whether you have a Mac, an iPhone, an iPad, or an Apple Watch -- you need to update your devices as soon as possible. That’s because Apple has discovered three actively exploited vulnerabilities that could cause your devices serious harm, and the patches are already out to fix them.

One of the bugs was found in Apple’s Security framework and would allow a malicious app to completely bypass a device’s signature validation. Another bug concerns the WebKit browser engine and could grant a threat actor the ability to run arbitrary code when a victim views a certain web page.

Read more
This dangerous new Mac malware steals your credit card info
A hacker typing on an Apple MacBook laptop while holding a phone. Both devices show code on their screens.

People like to think that Apple’s Macs are more or less invulnerable to the assorted viruses and trojans that afflict Windows PCs, but that’s far from the truth. That’s just been aptly demonstrated by the emergence of a new malware strain that attempts to steal all of your passwords, credit card data, and more.

The discovery was made by security firm SentinelOne, which named the malware MetaStealer. According to SentinelOne, MetaStealer has the potential to trick you into giving away vital information that could cause a huge amount of damage, and it has a nefarious way of getting what it wants.

Read more