Allow Third Party Downloads Mac

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

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Downloading third-party apps safely. Unlike the iPhone and iPad, the Mac can run software that's been downloaded from any source, though OS X's default security settings will only allow you to run apps that have been downloaded from the Mac App Store and from 'identified developers'—developers who have a digital certificate from Apple on file.
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macOS 11 Big Sur Third Party Product Compatibility Information

Big Sur can physically damage some Native Instruments hardware.
Big Sur has reported compatibility issues with USB devices that have FTDI VCP chips with custom PIDs.
Big Sur does not support legacy System/Kernel Extensions (KEXTs)
VPN connections via L2TP over IPSec now require 'HMAC-SHA-256' security at the third-party server end - make sure your VPN server is compatible!
Big Sur does not support 32-Bit Applications
Big Sur does not support legacy media formats
Safari 14 in Big Sur does not support any legacy NPAPI browser plug-ins including Adobe Flash
Safari 14 in Big Sur does not support older .safariextz packaged Safari Extensions - you should check whether the developer has created a newer/updated 'Safari App Extension' version which will be available via the Mac App Store
Big Sur has an OS version of 11.x instead of 10.x - this could affect some older software installers and scripts if they check the OS version incorrectly
Big Sur does not support Dashboard applications/widgets
Big Sur has a dedicated and 'signed' system volume - third party backup/cloning/disk repair software should be checked and updated/upgraded if necessary to work with this version of macOS
Big Sur does not support Rosetta/PowerPC software

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

some Adobe Creative Cloud individual applications - update to the latest versions for best results
Aura SSDs from OWC - known issue
Alsoft DiskWarrior v5 - update to DiskWarrior v5.1 to be able to run the application + full support for APFS will be included with a future DiskWarrior update once Apple releases the final APFS format documentation
Carbon Copy Cloner 4 - some issues, best to upgrade to version 5 or later
Google Drive - upgrade to Backup And Sync v3.36 or later (for consumers) or Drive File Stream (for business users)
Prosoft Drive Genius - update/upgrade to v5.2.1 or later
SoftRAID 5.x - full support for APFS will be included with SoftRAID version 6
SuperDuper! - upgrade to v3.0 or later

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

Ambrosia Soundboard and WireTap Anywhere / Studio
Autodesk AutoCAD (LT) 2018 - upgrade to v2019.2 or later
Bare Bones TextWrangler - all versions
Bartender 3.x - Big Sur compatible upgrade available
Citrix Gateway plugin - KB article
DiskMaker X = all versions
Graphisoft ARCHICAD 22 - will not be made compatible with this macOS
Microsoft Office 2016 - although it currently appears to run okay, support and updates for Office 2016 ended on 13th October 2020 so if any issues become apparent they will not befixed. You will also not be getting security updates. So, if possible, upgrade to Office 2019 or later.
MT-Newswatcher
Native Instruments MASCHINE MK1, MASCHINE MIKRO MK1, TRAKTOR AUDIO 2 / 4 / 8 DJ, TRAKTOR AUDIO 2 MK1 and TRAKTOR S2 / S4 / X1 MK1
Now Up-To-Date And Contact
Parallels v15 - Big Sur compatible upgrade available
Perian
Reason Lite 10.4 and earlier - statement
Reason Essentials 10.0.1 and earlier - statement
Reason Limited 1.5.3 and earlier - statement
Reason Record - statement
QuarkXPress 6, 7, 8 and 9 (in addition Quark do not officially support QuarkXPress v2019 or earlier on Big Sur)
SnapzPro X v4.0.0 and earlier
Timbuktu Pro

Products Specifically NOT Big Sur Compatible
but they should be updated in the future to be compatible

Many Thunderbolt (3) external (RAID) enclosures including TerraMaster
Auident - EVO 4, EVO 8 and Sono
Box Drive - not working properly
Caffeine - v2.0 coming soon - beta version available
Déjà Vu [Deja Vu] (backup software) - not currently compatible
Enfocus Connect 2019 - does not officially support macOS Big Sur - will inform customers when a compatible version is released
Enfocus BoardingPass - does not officially support macOS Big Sur - next public pre-release update, expected in January or February 2021, will be Big Sur compatible
Shirt Pocket SuperDuper! - cannot clone boot drives
SoftRAID v5.x - v6 BETA now available
USB Overdrive 4.0.x - v5 BETA now available

Companies

Ableton = compatibility statement
AIR = compatibility statement
AKAI = compatibility statement
Alesis = compatibility statement
Apogee = compatibility statement
Applied Acoustics Systems = compatibility statement
Arturia = compatibility statement
Auident = compatibility statement
Autodesk AutoCAD = System requirements for AutoCAD for Mac
Autodesk AutoCAD LT = System requirements for AutoCAD LT for Mac
Avid = compatibility statement
Backblaze (Arq online backup) = compatibility statement
Bare Bones (BBEdit / Yojimbo) = compatibility statement
Bitwig = compatibility statement
Blue Cat Audio = compatibility statement
Bombich = compatibility statement
Celemony = compatibility statement
DEVON Technologies = blog post about macOS Big Sur / Apple Silicon compatibility
Drobo = upgrade to Dashboard v3.6.2 or later
The Eclectic Light Company = compatibility statement
Enfocus = compatibility statement
Ergonis (PopChar X / KeyCue / Typinator) = compatibility statement
FabFilter = compatibility statement
Claris FileMaker = knowledge base article
Finale Notation Products - compatibility statement
Focusrite (Pro Products) = compatibility statement
Folivora = compatibility statement
FXpansion = forum post
Graphisoft = compatibility statement
Igg Software = compatibility statement
IK Multimedia = compatibility statement
Insider = compatibility statement
Intego = knowledge base article
iZotope = compatibility statement
Korg = OS compatibility charts
LaCie = knowledge base article
M-Audio = Knowledge Base compatibility document
Microsoft (Office for Mac) = macOS supported versions statement
MOTU = compatibility statement
Native Instruments = compatibility statement
Nektar = compatibility statement
Nikon = software list (products in the first list are supported and will be updated if problems are found)
Novation = compatibility statement
Numark = Knowledge Base compatibility document
Omni = compatibility statement
On1 (OnOne) Software = compatibility statement
Overloud = compatibility statement
Panic = compatibility matrix
PreSonus = compatibility statement
Pioneer DJ = compatibility statement
Plugin Alliance = Facebook post
Positive Grid = compatibility statement
Quark = compatibility matrix
Reason Studios = compatibility statement
Rogue Amoeba = compatibility status report
Roland = compatibility statement
Roland (BOSS products) = compatibility statement
Roland (Professional A/V category products) = compatibility statement
Serato DJ Lite/Pro = compatibility statement
Serato Sample = compatibility statement
Serato Studio = compatibility statement
Serif (Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher) compatibility statement
Slate Digital = compatibility statement
SmallCubed (MailTags / Mail Act-On / Mail Perspectives / SigPro) = What's New in MailSuite 2019
Solid State Logic = compatibility statement
Spectrasonics = compatibility statement
Steinberg = compatibility information
Universal Audio = compatibility statement
Vectorworks = compatibility statement
Vectorworks = operating system matrix
Waves = system requirements information

Printer And Scanner Manufacturers/Drivers

~~Official Apple list of printer and scanner drivers included with macOS~~

Open Unverified App Mac

- As of October 2018, this list is no longer updated!

Brother = Compatibility Matrix
Canon (Europe) = no specific info so check your printer model via their support site
Epson = support page (USA site)
Fiery Command Work Station (CWS) = check via support site
Fiery Driver = Big Sur supported with v6.5 or later
Fujitsu Scansnap = ScanSnap Downloads - choose 'macOS Big Sur v11.0' in 'Step 2. Select Target OS.'
Hewlett Packard (Printers) = HP printer compatibility with macOS and OS X page
Hewlett Packard (LaserJet / PageWide scanning) = Set up the printer to scan in macOS
Lanier = no specific info so check your printer model via their Knowledge Base
Lexmark = macOS Compatibility Lists
OKI = OS driver compatibility page
Ricoh (including Gestetner / Infotec) = no specific info so check your printer model via their Knowledge Base
Samsung = printing business moved to Hewlett Packard but HP now have a compatibility list online
Silverfast = compatibility statement
Xerox = compatibility page with downloadable PDF

Individual Products

Acorn = Big Sur supported with v6.6.3 or later
Autodesk AutoCAD (LT) for Mac 2019 = Big Sur supported with v2019.2 Update
Autodesk AutoCAD (LT) for Mac 2020 = Big Sur supported with v2020.2 Update
Autodesk AutoCAD (LT) for Mac 2021 = Big Sur supported with v2021.1 Update
Banktivity = Big Sur supported with v8.0.5 or later
Bare Bones BBEdit = Big Sur supported with v13.5.2 or later
Bare Bones Yojimbo = Big Sur supported with v4.6 or later
Bartender = Big Sur supported with v3.1.7 or later
Bean = Big Sur supported with v3.3.4 or later
BetterTouchTool = Big Sur supported with v3.502 or later
BlueHarvest = Big Sur supported with v8.0.6 or later
Boxcryptor = Big Sur supported with v2.36.1042 or later
BusyCal = Big Sur supported with v3.11.1 or later
C-Command DropDMG = v3.6 or later
C-Command EagleFiler = v1.9.1 or later
C-Command SpamSieve = v2.9.40 or later
C-Command ToothFairy = v2.7 or later
Carbon Copy Cloner = Big Sur supported with v5.1.22 or later
Check Point Endpoint Security VPN = Big Sur supported with E84.30 or later
Chronosync = Big Sur supported with v4.9.12 or later
Maxon Cinema 4D = Big Sur supported with v2.3.1 or later
Citrix Workspace (formerly Reciever) = Big Sur supported with v20.12.0.3 (2012) or later
ClamXav = Big Sur supported with v3.1_8514 or later
Cocktail = Big Sur supported with v14.0 or later
Codeweaver CrossOver = Big Sur supported with v20.0.2 or later
Eltima Commander One = Big Sur supported with v3.0.3368 or later
CrashPlan for Small Business = Big Sur supported with v8.2.1 or later
Cyberduck = Big Sur supported with v7.5 or later
Default Folder X = Big Sur supported with v5.5.1 or later
DEVONthink Personal/Pro = Big Sur supported with v3.5.2 or later
Alsoft DiskWarrior = Big Sur supported with v5.2 or later (APFS formatted storage not supported)
Alsoft DiskWarrior Recovery Maker = Big Sur supported with v1.3 or later (APFS formatted storage not supported)
Prosoft Drive Genius = Big Sur supported with v6.2 or later
EazyDraw = Big Sur supported with v10.1.1 or later
Enfocus Pitstop = Big Sur supported with v2020 update 1 or later (but not Apple Silicon M1 Macs)
Enfocus Switch = Big Sur supported with v2020 or later (but not Apple Silicon M1 Macs)
Ergonis PopChar X = Big Sur supported with v8.10 or later
Ergonis KeyCue = Big Sur supported with v9.7 or later
Ergonis Typinator = Big Sur supported with v8.5 or later
Geniatech EyeTV = v4.0.0 or later
Claris FileMaker Pro 19 (Advanced) = Big Sur supported with v19.1.3 or later
Claris FileMaker Server 19 = Big Sur supported with v19.0.2 or later
Finale = Big Sur supported (with some cosmetic issues) with Finale v26.3.1 or later
Find Any File = v2.2 or later
Insider FontAgent = Big Sur supported with v9.6 or later
Google Backup And Sync (for consumers - was Google Drive) = Big Sur supported with v3.51 or later
Google Drive File Stream (for business users - was Google Drive) = Big Sur supported with v43 or later
Handbrake = v1.4.0 beta 1 or later
Heredis = Big Sur supported with v2021 or later
iCab = Big Sur supported with v6.0.4 or later
Intego X9 VirusBarrier = v10.9.35 or later
Intego X9 NetBarrier = v10.9.13 or later
Intego X9 ContentBarrier = v10.9.7 or later
Intego X9 Personal Backup = v10.9.9 or later
Intego X9 Washing Machine = v10.9.7 or later
Intego X9 NetUpdate = v10.9.13 or later
Intego X9 Common Components = v10.9.19 or later
Lemkesoft Graphic Converter = Big Sur supported with v11.3.1 or later
Lingon X = Big Sur supported with v7.6 or later
Little Snitch = Big Sur supported with v5.0 or later
Logitech Control Center (LCC) = Big Sur supported with v3.9.14 or later
Logitech Options = Big Sur supported with v8.36.76 or later
MacBreakZ = Big Sur supported with v5.40 or later
Malwarebytes = Big Sur supported with v4.6.12.3825 or later
Melodyne = Big Sur supported with v5.1 or later
Microsoft NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software = v15.5.62 or later
Microsoft Office 2019 (365 subscription) = Big Sur supported with v16.43 (20110804) or later
NeoFinder = Big Sur supported with v7.7 or later
Nikon Capture NX-D = Big Sur supported with v1.6.5 or later
Nikon ViewNX-i = Big Sur supported with v1.4.5 or later
Nisus Writer Pro = Big Sur supported with v3.2 or later
OmniFocus = Big Sur supported with v3.11.1 or later
OmniGraffle = Big Sur supported with v7.18.1 or later
OmniOutliner (Pro) = Big Sur supported with v5.8 or later
OmniPlan = Big Sur supported with v4.2.3 or later
Panic Coda = Big Sur supported with v2.7.0 or later
Panic Nova = Big Sur supported with v3.0 or later
Panic Transmit = Big Sur supported with v5.7.0 or later
Parallels Desktop for Mac = Big Sur supported with v16 or later
Path Finder = Big Sur supported with v10.0 or later
Pixelmator (Classic) = Big Sur supported with v3.9 or later
Pixelmator (Pro) = Big Sur supported with v2.0 or later
Postbox = Big Sur supported with v7.0.34 or later
Posterino = Big Sur supported with v3.8.2 or later
QuarkXPress = Big Sur supported with v2020 or later
Realmac RapidWeaver = Big Sur supported with v8.7 or later
Retrospect Client/Server = Big Sur supported with v17.5.0.185 or later
Rogue Amoeba Airfoil for Mac = Big Sur supported with v5.10.1 or later
Rogue Amoeba Audio Hijack = Big Sur supported with v3.8.0 or later
Rogue Amoeba Farrago = Big Sur supported with v1.6.0 or later
Rogue Amoeba Fission = Big Sur supported with v2.7.0 or later
Rogue Amoeba Loopback = Big Sur supported with v2.2.0 or later
Rogue Amoeba Piezo = Big Sur supported with v1.7.0 or later
Rogue Amoeba SoundSource = Big Sur supported with v5.2.0 or later
Serif Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher = Big Sur supported with v1.8.6 or later
Sensei (previously Trim Enabler) = Big Sur supported with v1.3 or later
Silverfast = Big Sur supported with v8.8 or later
SteerMouse = Big Sur supported with v5.5.3 or later
SwitchResX = Big Sur supported with v4.11.0 or later
Techtool Pro = Big Sur supported with v13.0.2 or later
Things = Big Sur supported with v3.13.2 or later
Time Out = Big Sur supported with v2.7 or later
TinkerTool System = Big Sur supported with v7.0 or later
Titanium Software Deeper = Big Sur supported with v2.6.5 or later
Titanium Software Maintenance = Big Sur supported with v2.7.5 or later
Titanium Software OnyX = Big Sur supported with v3.9.1 or later
Corel/Roxio Toast Titanium (Pro) = Big Sur supported with v19 or later
Vectorworks = Big Sur supported with v2020/v2021
Vellum = Big Sur supported with v2.8.2 or later
VirtualBox = Big Sur supported with v6.1.16 or later
VMWare Fusion Player/Pro for Mac = Big Sur supported with v12.0 or later
VueScan = Big Sur supported with v9.7.37 or later
Wacom tablets = Big Sur supported with Driver 6.3.41-2 or later
WhatRoute = Big Sur supported with v2.3.3 or later
WhatSize = Big Sur supported with v7.6.2 or later
X Lossless Decoder (XLD) = Big Sur supported with v20210101 or later

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:

FreeNAS - v9.10.4 or later (to be released)

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:
- 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

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