macOS

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topic macOS
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How to Update macOS

Do you need a macOS update or upgrade? How to choose. Pros and cons of automatic macOS updates. How to configure macOS updates. Options to disable macOS updates. How to update macOS using Terminal or System Settings.

It's best to update the macOS before you install software or start any new project. First, check your macOS version, then follow these instructions to update using the System Settings or the Terminal. After, see how to set up your Mac like a pro.

Before you get started

You'll need a terminal application to use the Mac command line. Apple includes the Mac terminal but I prefer Warp Terminal. Warp is an easy-to-use terminal application, with AI assistance to help you learn and remember terminal commands. Download Warp Terminal now; it's FREE and worth a try.

Update or upgrade? What's the difference?

The terms "macOS update" and "macOS upgrade" sound similar but are different. A macOS update is a minor revision—like Sequoia 15.4 to 15.5—that delivers bug fixes and security patches without changing core functionality. Most updates finish in under an hour on broadband connections. A macOS upgrade jumps between major versions—like macOS 15 Sequoia to macOS Tahoe 26—with new features and sometimes a completely new look. Upgrades take longer, especially when you need to familiarize yourself with new features.

This guide focuses on updates, not upgrades. The latest Mac version is macOS 15 Sequoia (as of September 16, 2023). You can learn more about MacOS Sequoia and consider Sonoma vs Sequoia and Should You Update to macOS Sequoia?. Check that you have it:

If you don't have macOS 15 Sequoia:

If you want to learn about advanced procedures for macOS updates using a bootable installer or Recovery mode, see:

Get ready for an update

  1. Consider if you need to back up your data
  2. Check free storage space (you need at least 20 GB)
  3. Have a stable Internet connection
  4. Check for 50% or more battery (or connect to power)
  5. Save work and close applications

Steps to update macOS

Updating your macOS from System Settings is straightforward and will take only a few minutes.

  1. Click the Apple icon  in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Click System Settings and General in the sidebar.
  3. Click Software Update. The system will check for available updates.
  4. If an update is available, click Update Now.
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.

Your Mac automatically checks for updates daily, but you can force an immediate scan. "Check for Update" or Command-R will trigger a manual check.

How to update macOS using Terminal

Terminal commands work faster than the System Settings UI. Power users and system administrators use the command line. You can try it. The first step is to open the Mac terminal. You can find the Terminal in the Applications > Utilities folder or by searching for Terminal using Spotlight search.

The softwareupdate command manages all system updates from the command line.

First, check for available updates:

$ softwareupdate --list

The command shows all pending updates or "No new software available."

The sudo grants administrative privileges to the softwareupdate command. To install updates, run the command softwareupgrade -i -a:

$ sudo softwareupdate --install --all
Password:
Software Upgrade Tool

Finding available software
.
.
.

You can use the command flags or the full arguments.

  • -i or --install: Automatically install upgrades.
  • -a or --all: Install all available upgrades.

The system prompts for your administrator password before proceeding. You are running sudo for admin access so you must enter your admin password to proceed with the upgrade. Installation progress appears in real-time within the Terminal window.

Do you need backup files?

In the past, no one would start a macOS update before backing up files to an external hard drive. Now, Apple has designed minor macOS updates to be automatic and "over the top," not disturbing existing user files and applications. Furthermore, these days, it's common to save important work to the cloud, either Google Drive or GitHub, with the exception of sensitive files that must remain private and inaccessible.

To be cautious, as you work, store important files to the cloud, either Google Drive or GitHub. Back up private files to a USB drive, kept in a safe place. If you have many huge work files on your computer (for example, if you are a video editor), use an external hard drive with Time Machine or third-party backup software to ensure your data remains intact should an update fail.

Apple's minor updates

Apple delivers macOS improvements through different channels.

Point releases deliver standard bug fixes and minor feature improvements. Examples include macOS 15.4 to 15.5, which add fixes for minor bugs. Rapid Security Responses (RSR) are Apple's hot-patches that install critical security fixes without full system restarts.

Version numbers follow a predictable pattern: major.minor.patch (like 15.4.1). The first number indicates the macOS generation, the second shows feature updates, and the third represents bug fixes.

During an update, installer files are stored temporarily in /System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_MacOSUpgrade/. The system deletes these files automatically after successful installation.

What to expect after an update

After installation, your Mac performs several background tasks. Spotlight search re-indexes your files, login items restart, and system optimization occurs automatically. These processes can slow performance for the first hour after updating.

Check your Mac's responsiveness by opening a few applications and testing basic functions. Most issues resolve themselves within 15-20 minutes as background processes complete.

Automated updates

By default, Apple enables automatic updates. Apple sends notifications when updates are available. If you have not turned off these notifications, you will receive a prompt in the top-right corner of your screen.

If you've previously disabled automatic updates, you can enable them:

  1. Open System Settings. Click on the Apple icon  and select "System Settings."
  2. Click General in the sidebar.
  3. Click Software Update.
  4. Click the info circle in Automatic Updates. Toggle the item "Download new updates when available." You can customize this further by clicking on "Install macOS updates" to install macOS updates automatically. It's good to also toggle "Install Security Responses and system files" for enhanced protection.

When to disable automatic updates

At work, you may need stability over immediate minor patches.

Creative professionals working on deadline projects may want to avoid updates that could disrupt established workflows. Video editors or developers relying on a particular development environment should test updates on spare systems first.

Be careful with legacy software that is no longer maintained. Older applications might break with newer macOS versions, even minor updates. Check with software vendors before updating mission-critical systems.

When systems are business-critical

Wait 1-2 weeks after release for community feedback. Monitor forums and Apple's support communities for reports of compatibility issues. With security updates, don't wait as long—install within 2-3 days of release.

If you manage multiple Macs, test on non-production systems first. Install and test updates on a spare machine before updating users' work computers.

When "updates for this Mac are managed externally"

In some professional environments or educational institutions, updates might be managed externally through Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions or other IT management tools. In such cases, you might encounter a message indicating that "Updates for this Mac are managed externally."

IT departments use MDM solutions like Jamf, Microsoft Intune, or VMware Workspace ONE to manage updates and configurations remotely. These tools allow administrators to push updates, enforce security policies, and manage device settings without user intervention.

To see if your Mac is managed externally, go to System Settings > Privacy and Security > Profiles. If you don't see Profiles, it means no management profiles are installed on your Mac. If you see Profiles, it means your Mac is managed externally, either legitimately because of workplace rules, or if not wanted, from lingering enterprise profiles after job changes, NVRAM settings from previous management systems, or incomplete MDM removal. Most users can resolve these restrictions without IT assistance.

You can also check if your Mac is managed externally by running the following command in Terminal:

$ profiles status -type enrollment

Or run:

$ profiles list

If the output shows that your Mac is managed externally, for legitimate reasons, you will need to contact your IT department to find out when an update will be available.

If you don't want your Mac blocked by management profiles, you can disable them from System Settings.

  1. System Settings → Privacy & Security → Profiles (if visible)
  2. Select the profile you want to remove
  3. Click "Remove Profile" or the minus (-) button
  4. Enter your admin password when prompted

Alternatively, from the command line:

$ sudo profiles remove -all

You cannot remove certain profiles:

  • DEP (Device Enrollment Program) profiles from corporate enrollment
  • Profiles marked as "non-removable" by administrators
  • Profiles installed through MDM that have removal restrictions

If removal fails, try:

  • Reset NVRAM: Hold Option-Command-P-R during startup
  • Reset SMC: Different key combinations based on Mac model
  • Contact IT support if this is a work/school machine
  • Reinstall macOS

Restart your Mac after profile removal to clear cached restrictions.

Warning: Only remove profiles you understand. Corporate profiles often provide network access, security certificates, and email configuration. Removing them might break connectivity in a workplace or school.

Troubleshooting Update Problems

Update failures have predictable causes and solutions. Most issues stem from insufficient storage, network problems, or corrupted download files.

Stuck downloads or "Checking for updates" loops indicate network or cache problems. Safe Mode startup often resolves these issues by bypassing problematic system extensions.

Installation failures typically show "macOS could not be installed" errors. First Aid scans catch disk problems that prevent updates from completing successfully.

Common Solutions

  1. Restart and retry - Resolves temporary system conflicts
  2. Check date and time settings - Incorrect time prevents security validation
  3. Run Disk Utility First Aid - Fixes filesystem errors blocking installation
  4. Clear update caches - Delete /Library/Updates/ contents manually
  5. Use macOS Recovery - Install from recovery partition if normal methods fail

Apple Silicon firmware issues require external Mac revival through Apple Configurator. Connect your problematic Mac to another Mac via USB-C and follow Apple's DFU restoration process.

Verify Update Success

Confirm successful installation by checking your system version and testing core functionality. "About This Mac" shows the exact build number which is useful for troubleshooting specific update issues.

Test basic system functions after updating. Open several applications, check network connectivity, and verify peripheral devices work correctly. Most compatibility issues surface immediately after updating.

Post-Update Checklist

  1. Verify macOS version in "About This Mac"
  2. Test internet connectivity and Wi-Fi
  3. Open 3-4 frequently used applications
  4. Check external devices (printers, drives, cameras)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will updating delete my files? No—macOS updates preserve all user data and applications. However, make sure all important files are saved to the cloud or a USB drive before updating to protect against unexpected problems.

Can I skip update versions? Yes—you can install the latest available update without installing intermediate versions. Apple includes all previous fixes in current releases.

How often does Apple release updates? Expect 1-2 point releases monthly during active development cycles. Security updates arrive more frequently—sometimes weekly during vulnerability disclosure periods.

What about beta updates? Beta versions require separate enrollment through Apple's Beta Software Program. See the article macOS Beta.

What comes next

After you update your macOS, take a few minutes to configure your Mac setup for an improved Dock, Finder, and more. You can use a Mac without any configuration effort. But I'll show you the settings, utilities, and applications that professional developers use to set up their Macs. More important, I'll explain why you will want to use them.

Do you need Xcode Command Line Tools?

You'll need Xcode Command Line Tools for developing software on a Mac. Out of the box, a Mac doesn't contain all of the software and tools needed for programming. Many software utilities or system administration tools require command line programs or system tools that are installed with Xcode Command Line Tools.

See Xcode Command Line Tools for instructions. First, check Are Xcode Command Line Tools Already Installed?. Then:

Do you need Homebrew?

Homebrew is a package manager that helps you install software programs for the command line. Homebrew can install Xcode Command Line Tools for you, as well as thousands of other command line programs. There are alternatives but Homebrew is convenient and essential for most programming and system administration tasks.

See Homebrew for background (and alternatives) and Install Homebrew for installation instructions.

Do you need a programming language?

See instructions for:

I'll add instructions for other programming languages in the future.

Do you need Git?

You don't need Git to create software; however, most software projects use Git for version control and collaboration. As a solo developer, you'll use Git with a GitHub account for "save-as-you-go" version control and remote backup. As a team member, you'll commit code to a repository, participate in code reviews, merge code and deploy projects using Git and GitHub.

See instructions to:

Do you use ChatGPT?

If you haven't installed the ChatGPT desktop application, you should try it now. The ChatGPT Desktop app lets you use text, voice, and images to communicate with the latest OpenAI large language model. It's more convenient and more usable than using the web browser version.

See how to:

What's next

My mac.install.guide is a trusted source of installation guides for professional developers. Take a look at the Mac Install Guide home page for tips and trends and see what to install next.