macOS Monterey Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know

Apple’s new macOS Monterey 12.7.3 update is causing problems for some Mac users.

Some Mac users are noticing some positive changes after moving their device up from macOS Monterey 12.7.2 and older macOS software.

On the flip side, some macOS Monterey 12.7.3 users have run into bugs and performance issues. Some of these issues have carried over from older versions of macOS, others are brand new.

In this guide to macOS Monterey problems we’ll take you through the current state of these issues. We’ll show you where to find potential fixes for the most common macOS Monterey problems and provide you with some resources that should help if do you run into trouble.

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We’ll also touch on the macOS Monterey downgrade and outline what you can expect from Apple and macOS Monterey down the road.

macOS Monterey Problems

As we push away from macOS Monterey 12.7.3’s release, we’re seeing complaints about issues with the software. Some of these problems are minor, others are far more problematic.

Some Mac users are having trouble downloading and installing the new firmware. If your installation gets stuck, try powering your Mac off and on. This typically resolves the issue.

We’re also seeing complaints about:

Long download times
Issues with Microsoft Outlook
Abnormal battery drain
UI lag
Touch ID issues
Issues with first and third-party applications
iMessage issues
Wi-Fi problems
Bluetooth problems
Lockups, freezes, and crashes

We expect the list of macOS Monterey problems to grow as more people transition from older versions of macOS to macOS Monterey 12.7.3.

If you haven’t downloaded the macOS Monterey 12.7.3 update yet, we recommend preparing your Mac for the download. Some prep work ahead of time can help you avoid major headaches.

We’ve put together a step-by-step pre-installation process and it will take you through the best way to prepare for the move.

Where to Find macOS Monterey Feedback

If you’ve already moved to macOS Monterey 12.7.3, or if you’re planning to upgrade in the near future, you’ll want to sift through feedback from people using the software. This feedback will alert you to potential bugs and performance issues.

We recommend keeping an eye on YouTube, Apple’s discussion forums, social media sites like Twitter/Facebook, and the MacRumors forums for additional feedback about macOS Monterey 12.7.3’s performance.

We’ve also put together a list of the best reasons to, and not to, install macOS Monterey 12.7.3 on your Mac today. It’s worth a look if you’re on the fence about an upgrade.

How to Fix macOS Monterey Problems

Some issues might require a fix from Apple while others you may be able to fix on your own.

Before you make an appointment at your local Apple Store, have a look at our list of fixes for the most common macOS Monterey problems. You may be able to find what you’re looking for in that guide.

If you’re noticing abnormal battery drain on your Mac, we’ve also released a guide that shows you how to fix macOS Monterey battery life problems.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our guides, you should head on over to Apple’s discussion forums. If they can’t help you, you might want to get in contact with customer support via Apple’s website.

If you still can’t fix your issue(s), you might want to schedule an appointment to see a Genius at your local Apple Store. They should be able to diagnose your problem in minutes.

macOS Monterey Downgrade

It’s possible to downgrade your Mac’s software from macOS Monterey 12.7.3 to older macOS firmware. There is no time limit and it’s easy if you have a good backup for your Mac.

If you want to get your Mac off of macOS Monterey 12.7.3, you just need to start your Mac in safe mode and choose Restore from Time Machine Backup.

This will take some time, so you’ll need to stay patient, but it’s an option if you can’t wait for Apple to release the next version of macOS Monterey.

What’s Next

It’s unclear when the next version of macOS Monterey will roll out though we could see a new update arrive alongside new versions of macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma.

If your Mac is struggling on macOS Monterey, and your device is eligible to move up to newer software, you should probably upgrade.

4 Reasons Not to Install macOS Monterey 12.7.3 & 11 Reasons You Should

Install macOS Monterey 12.7.3 for Better Security

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If security is important to you, think about installing the macOS Monterey 12.7.3 update right away.

macOS Monterey 12.7.3's sole purpose is to help protect your Mac and its data from harm. It brings a total of nine security patches to Macs. This makes it an essential download for most Mac users.

As for older updates, macOS Monterey 12.7.2 delivered several security patches and macOS Monterey 12.7.1 addressed 11 security issues.

macOS Monterey 12.6.7 through macOS Monterey 12.7 all had security fixes on board and you can learn more about all of them if you head here.

macOS Monterey 12.6.6 had 20+ security patches on board making it an extremely important release from Apple. If you want to learn more about the changes, head on over to Apple's website.

macOS Monterey 12.6.5 brought a fix for an actively exploited vulnerability. If you want to learn more, head over here.

macOS Monterey 12.6.4 brought important security patches to Macs as well. For more about these fixes, check out Apple's guide.

macOS Monterey 12.6.3 delivered 14 new security updates. If you want to dig into these patches, head right here.

The macOS Monterey 12.6.2 update brought several security patches to Macs and you can read more about them right here on Apple's security site.

macOS Monterey 12.6.1 update had three very important security patches on board while macOS Monterey 12.6 brought eight security patches to Macs. For more information about these changes, check out Apple's rundown.

macOS Monterey 12.5.1 had a pair of important security patches on board and you can read about them in detail right here.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 update brought 50 important security patches with it and they will help protect you and your device from harm. If you want to learn more, head over to Apple's website.

macOS Monterey 12.4 delivered 50+ security patches. If you're interested in the details, you'll want to head on over to the company's security site.

macOS Monterey 12.3.1 brought two security patches to Mac users. You can read more about them over on Apple's website.

Apple's macOS Monterey 12.3 update had 40+ security patches on board. If you want to learn more about these upgrades, you can check the particulars over on Apple's security site.

The macOS Monterey 12.2.1 update brought an important patch to Mac users. You can learn more about the patch over at Apple's security site.

Apple's macOS Monterey 12.2 update had 13 security patches on board. If you're interested in the details, head on over to Apple's website to learn more.

macOS Monterey 12.1 included 40+ new security patches to Macs. You can read all about them over on the company's security site.

Microsoft says it discovered a new 'Powerdir' vulnerability lurking in macOS. Powerdir allows "an attacker to bypass the operating system’s Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) technology, thereby gaining unauthorized access to a user’s protected data." Fortunately, Apple patched up the issue in macOS Monterey 12.1.

macOS Monterey 12.1 also included some important upgrades to privacy. The software delivered Apple's communication safety features for kids. You'll find these features in the Messages app, in Siri, in Spotlight, and in Search.

If you're moving up from macOS Big Sur, you'll also get macOS Monterey 12.0.1's 30+ security patches when you update.

If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's website.

In addition to those patches, the macOS Monterey update comes with additional security and privacy upgrades.

If you're an Apple Card user, you'll now get a security code that changes regularly to use when you make online transactions.

Apple's also included a built-in authenticator that's similar to Google Authenticator. This will let you generate verification codes for enhanced sign-in security under your Passwords.

New Mail Privacy Protection helps prevent senders from tracking your Mail activity and there's a new recording indicator in Control Center for apps that are accessing your mic.