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macOS Big Sur 11 Compatibility Information

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UA Compatibility with macOS Big Sur 11

Note: If using a different version of macOS, see the Latest OS Compatibility article. If using an Apple M1 (non-Intel) Mac, see the Apple Silicon M1 & M2 Compatibility article.

  • The latest UAD software is tested and compatible with macOS Big Sur 11.
  • The latest LUNA software is tested and compatible with macOS Big Sur 11.
  • Apollo models connected via Thunderbolt are compatible.
  • Apollo models with Thunderbolt Option Card are compatible.
  • UAD-2 PCIe cards are compatible.
  • Apollo models connected via FireWire are incompatible (gain compatibility with the Thunderbolt Option Card promotion).
  • UAD-2 Satellite FireWire is incompatible.
  • Connections via Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter are incompatible.

 

UAD installation on Big Sur

With Big Sur, macOS system security requires the six manual steps below to fully enable UAD and Apollo software. All configuration details for each of these steps are provided in this article.

 

1. Authenticate When Prompted

UAD installation on macOS Big Sur asks for authentication. Enter your computer user name and password when prompted.

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Enter computer user name and password when prompted during UAD software installation

 

2. Allow Access Control

Big Sur presents an access control dialog during the UAD installation process. Click “OK” in this dialog to allow UAD software installation:

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Click OK in access control dialog presented during UAD installation

 

IMPORTANT: If “Don’t Allow” is clicked, UAD software installation will be incomplete. If this occurs, follow these instructions:

  1. Download the system access control reset script by clicking this link: Reset-UAD-Access-Control.zip.
  2. Double-click the downloaded file. The Terminal application opens and system access control is reset. 
  3. Quit the Terminal application after its window displays “Access control has been reset.”
  4. Reinstall the UAD software and click “OK” in both access control dialogs when prompted.

Note: Do not run the access control reset script file on macOS 13 High Sierra or lower.

 

3. Allow UAD Software

After installing UAD software, the software must be allowed in System Preferences > Security & Privacy within 30 minutes of installation. If this step is not done, the UAD Meter displays “Driver Not Installed Correctly.”

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Click OK in reminder dialog that appears during UAD installation

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Click OK in System Extension Blocked dialog that appears during UAD installation

 

How to allow UAD software

  1. Download and install the latest UAD software following the steps above.
  2. After restarting, open System Preferences (from Apple Menu at top left corner of display).
  3. Click Security & Privacy in the System Preferences window.
  4. Click the Lock icon at lower left of window and enter your password when prompted.
  5. Click “Allow” (at lower right of General pane) within 30 minutes of UAD installation.

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Allow UAD software in System Preferences

 

Allow UAD software notes

  • The Allow button is present for 30 minutes after UAD software installation. To show the button again if 30 minutes have passed, restart the computer. If the Allow button is not present after restarting, reinstall the UAD software.
  • If software from multiple developers has been installed, the System & Privacy pane may display a more generic message that reads "some system software was blocked from loading." In this case, after clicking Allow, a list will appear and the software from each developer can be allowed individually.

4. Allow Audio Inputs

With macOS Big Sur, all audio software applications such as DAW software and LUNA Recording System must be allowed to access audio inputs. This step enables all audio inputs from UA audio interfaces, and internal/external microphones, to be used as input sources.

To allow Apollo/Arrow audio inputs in audio software, click “OK” when the alert dialog appears asking for access to the microphone.

Note: Apple uses “microphone” in this alert dialog, but the context includes inputs from any audio device. The text within this dialog may vary depending on the audio application.

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Click OK in audio inputs access dialog

 

How to manually allow audio inputs

Follow the steps below to manually allow audio application access to Apollo/Arrow inputs in macOS Big Sur. These steps may be necessary if OK isn’t clicked in the microphone access dialog as described above.

  1. Quit all audio applications.
  2. Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy (from Apple Menu at top left corner of display).
  3. In the left column within the Privacy pane, click Microphone.
  4. Click the lock icon (bottom left of window) and authenticate to allow system changes.
  5. In the right column, tick the checkbox next to the app(s) to allow audio input access.

For related information, see this Apple support article.

Screen_Shot_2021-08-11_at_6.23.35_PM.pngApollo/Arrow audio inputs allowed and configured correctly

 

5. Allow File Access for UA Mixer Engine

Access to the file system should be allowed if requested by a DAW or other audio software such as LUNA Recording System. "UA Mixer Engine" needs file access to save UAD plug-in preset files, LUNA session files, UAD Instrument presets, and sample libraries.

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Click OK in UA Mixer Engine file access dialogs

 

6. Allow Console Keystroke Passthrough

Apollo's Console app must be allowed to pass keystrokes through to a DAW. Console keystroke passthrough allows DAW applications and LUNA Recording System to be controlled with the computer keyboard (for transport, record enable, etc.) when Console is the foreground application.

  1. With the first keystroke when a DAW is open and Console is in the foreground, the “Accessibility Access (Events)” alert dialog appears asking to grant access to the UA Mixer Engine application.
  2. Click “Open System Preferences” in the dialog. The System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy pane appears.
  3. Click the lock icon at lower left of the Privacy pane and authenticate to allow changes.
  4. In the right column within the Privacy pane, tick the “UA Mixer Engine” checkbox.

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Accessibility Access (Events) dialog — click Open System Preferences

 

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Accessibility pane with Console keystroke passthrough allowed

 

How to manually allow Console keystroke passthrough

Follow the steps below to manually enable Apollo/Arrow Console keystroke passthrough. These steps may be necessary if “Open System Preferences” isn’t clicked in the Accessibility Access (Events) dialog as described above.

  1. Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy (from Apple Menu at top left corner of display).
  2. Click the lock icon at lower left of the Privacy pane and authenticate to allow changes.
  3. In the right column of the Privacy pane, click the “+” button and navigate to:
    /Library/Application Support/Universal Audio/Apollo/
  4. Click the “UA Mixer Engine” application so it is selected, then click Open.
  5. In the right column of the Privacy pane, tick the “UA Mixer Engine” checkbox.

 

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