This article outlines compatibility information for Apple computers with Intel processors. For compatibility information regarding Apple computers with Apple Silicon processors please see this article. If you're unsure whether you have an "Intel" or "Apple Silicon" system please see this article.
Compatibility information for all current products is listed below. Our testing to date was conducted using various beta versions of macOS Big Sur and the "Golden Master".
Newer updates to Big Sur (e.g. 11.x) may potentially change the performance of some products compared to the original macOS 11 release. Although significant changes in this regard throughout the lifecycle of a version of macOS have historically been rare.
Please check that all other software/hardware you use to make music is also compatible before updating and never update your operating system during the middle of a time-critical project. If you're using additional software that came bundled with your Focusrite interface (e.g. Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools) then please check the corresponding manufacturer's website for compatibility information.
Based on past experience we would advise waiting for at least a few months after the release of any new operating system before updating in case there are any issues that need to be fixed.
If you receive an error message stating 'System Extension Blocked' after installing Focusrite software/drivers then please see this article.
If you are not getting signal into audio software but playback seems fine, please see this article.
Vocaster Range (Vocaster One, Vocaster Two)
Works with Big Sur? YES
Scarlett 3rd Gen Range (Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, 18i8 and 18i20)
Works with Big Sur? YES*
If you experience graphical issues with Focusrite Control then please install the latest version (3.7.0) from our beta site.
Scarlett 2nd Gen Solo, 2i2 and 2i4
Works with Big Sur? YES
Scarlett 2nd Gen 6i6, 18i8 and 18i20
Works with Big Sur? YES
If you experience graphical issues with Focusrite Control then please install the latest version from our downloads page
Scarlett 1st Gen Solo, 2i2 and 2i4
Works with Big Sur? YES
Scarlett 1st Gen 6i6, 18i8 and 18i20
Works with Big Sur? YES - please install Scarlett Mix Control 1.10 after selecting your product in our Downloads section.
Scarlett 1st Gen 8i6 and 18i6
Works with Big Sur? YES - please install Scarlett Mix Control 1.10 after selecting your product in our Downloads section.
We are aware of issues that affect users trying to clock their 1st Gen 8i6/18i6 externally via S/PDIF or ADAT. You will experience issues when changing the clock source and sample rate to invalid clock configurations. For example, if you change to a clock source that isn’t present or change the sample rate to one that doesn’t match the current clock source. This will not be fixed in future as these products are discontinued and are no longer under development support.
Clarett USB Range (2Pre USB, 4Pre USB and 8Pre USB)
Works with Big Sur? YES
If you experience graphical issues with Focusrite Control then please install the latest version from our downloads page
Clarett+ Range
Works with Big Sur? YES
Clarett Thunderbolt Range (2Pre, 4Pre, 8Pre and 8PreX)
Works with Big Sur? YES* - note that you may need to right-click on the Mac Thunderbolt Driver installer to run it. If you see an error message that states that the installer "can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software" then please follow the instructions in this article
If you experience graphical issues with Focusrite Control then please install the latest version from our downloads page
Red Plugin Suite
Works with Big Sur? YES
Saffire FireWire Range (Pro 14, Pro 24, Pro 24 DSP, Pro 26, Pro 40, Liquid Saffire 56)
Works with Big Sur? YES* - please install Saffire Mix Control 3.9 (available in our Downloads area).
*Please note, the Saffire FireWire Range is discontinued and is no longer under development support so our testing with the Saffires on Big Sur has been limited. Please see our full statement regarding the end of development support for the Saffire Range here.
iTrack Solo
Works with Big Sur? YES
Saffire 6 USB
There are two versions of the Saffire 6 USB - one is a USB 1.1 device and the other is USB 2.0. To check which variant you have you can reference the serial number on the underside of the unit:
- If the serial begins "SU" then you have the USB 1.1 variant.
- If it begins "S2" then you have the USB 2.0 variant.
Works with Big Sur (USB 1.1)? NO - therefore we recommend that Saffire 6 USB 1.1 users do not upgrade their macOS to Big Sur.
Our full statement regarding the end of development support for Saffire 6 USB 1.1 can be found here.
Works with Big Sur (USB 2.0)? YES
Forte
Works with Big Sur? NO - Forte is not supported on macOS 11 Big Sur, therefore we recommend that Forte users do not upgrade their macOS to Big Sur. Forte Control may work if you're updating from an older version of macOS but this is untested and unsupported. The Forte Control installer will fail if it's run on macOS Big Sur.
Our full statement regarding the end of development support for Forte can be found here.
Scarlett Plugin Suite
Works with Big Sur? NO
We are aware of issues with these plugins caused by architecture changes in this version of macOS. If you wish to continue using these plugins, please do not update Mac OS.
While the Scarlett Plugin Suite may still work in some instances we have ended development support so we cannot guarantee compatibility. Our full statement regarding the end of development support for Scarlett Plugin Suite can be found here.
Midnight Plugin Suite
Works with Big Sur? NO
We are aware of issues with these plugins caused by architecture changes in this version of macOS. If you wish to continue using these plugins, please do not update Mac OS.
While the Midnight Plugin Suite may still work in some instances we have ended development support so we cannot guarantee compatibility. Our full statement regarding the end of development support for Midnight Plugin Suite can be found here.
For compatibility information on Focusrite Pro products (e.g. RedNet and Red) please see this article.
If your product is not listed then it has not been tested with macOS Big Sur and therefore may not work correctly.