How to Manage Software Updates for macOS?

• Jan 15, 2021
• By Celia Swift

How to manage software updates in macOS? How to use macOS features to keep all your installed app up-to-date?

If you’re one of those users who don’t know how to keep all installed apps up to date and manage software updates in macOS, then here is a place to figure out. If you receive a notification that a software update is available, you can choose to install the update at any time you want, or choose to be reminded the next day. You can also manually check for macOS updates in Software Update from System Preferences.

Manually check for software update

1. Click Apple icon at the top-left corner on your Mac. Click System Preferences…

2. If you want to install macOS updates automatically, you can check the option “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”

3. To set advanced update options, click “Advanced…”, and check the options below you need.

• If you want to let your Mac update automatically, select Check for updates
• If you want to let your Mac download updates without asking, select Download new updates when available
• If you want to let your Mac update macOS automatically, select Install macOS updates
• If you want to let your Mac automatically install apps from App Store, select Install app updates from the App Store
• If you want to let your Mac automatically install files and security updates, select Install system data files and security updates

4. Click OK.

To automatically receive the latest updates, it is recommended that you select “Check for updates”, “Download new available updates” and “Install files and security updates.”

Before you update your macOS, we suggest you have a backup of your Mac. Updating macOS to the latest version is free and easy. However, if you have a backup, you can get your old macOS come back if you don’t like the latest version. Refer to how to backup macOS here.