If you’ve encountered issues using USB hubs, Java software or professional audio plug-ins on your Mac, installing macOS Sonoma 14.41 should fix them.
Apple publicly released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 on March 25, 2024 with fixes for several annoying bugs as well as two critical security patches.
macOS Sonoma 14.41 fixes an issue that prevented your Mac from recognizing USB hubs connected to external displays. Another fix squashes a bug with Java quitting unexpectedly on Apple silicon Macs, which prompted Oracle to issue an advisory.
And if you’re a musician who uses professional audio unit plug-ins for your work, installing macOS 14.4.1 will restore their functionality.
What’s new in macOS Sonoma 14.4.1?
To download and install macOS 14.4.1, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and click the Update or Upgrade button. If asked, enter your admin password and be patient as your Mac processes the update.
Here are Apple’s release notes for macOS Sonoma 14.4.1:
This update provides bug fixes for your Mac, including:
● USB hubs connected to external displays may not be recognized
● Copy protected Audio Unit plug-ins designed for professional music apps may not open or pass validation
● Apps that include Java may quit unexpectedly
macOS Sonoma 14.0 released in September 2023, but some folks have avoided it over common problems. If you’ve encounter issues in Sonoma, be sure to read our troubleshooting guide listing potential solutions.
macOS Ventura 13.6.6 also available
Haven’t updated your Mac from macOS Ventura to Sonoma yet? That’s not a problem because Apple also provides security releases for older macOS versions. Simply download macOS Ventura 13.6.6 via Software Update in System Settings on your Ventura-powered Mac to get the same security patches.
Two security vulnerabilities patched in iOS 17.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.6 and macOS Sonoma 14.4.1
The latest Mac update follows the release of iOS 17.4.1 last week, which brought security patches but no new features. According to Apple’s support documents for macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, macOS Ventura 13.6.6 and iOS and iPadOS 17.4.1, those releases fix an issue with CoreImage where processing an image may lead to arbitrary code execution. This was patched with improved input validation.
In addition, the updates squish a bug with the WebRTC system that allows web browsers and apps to support real-time communication. “An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation,” Apple notes in the document.