How to Use the Software Update Feature in Mac OS Mojave
Posted on 19th June 2023
Check for updates
Click the Apple icon in the top left of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select System Preferences.
In the System Preferences window, click Software Update.
Your Mac will now check for available updates. If any updates are found, you will be given the option to install them.
Install updates
Once you have found and selected the updates you wish to install, click the Install button.
You may be prompted to enter your password. This is to verify that you are indeed the administrator and have permission to install updates.
The installation process will now begin. Depending on the size and number of updates being installed, this may take a few minutes.
What happens if I don’t install updates?
It is highly recommended that you install all available updates as soon as possible. Not doing so can leave your Mac open to security vulnerabilities and other issues.
That said, there are occasionally times when an update may cause problems with your Mac. In these cases, it may be best to wait a little while before installing the update. This gives Apple time to release a fix for the problem.
Conclusion
Using the software update feature in Mac OS Mojave is a simple and effective way to keep your Mac up-to-date and secure.
Assuming that you have completed all of the above steps, you are now ready to update your Mac to the latest version of macOS Mojave. To do this, simply follow these steps:
1. Open the System Preferences application.
2. Click on the “Software Update” preference panel.
3. The Software Update preference panel will now check for updates and, if any are available, will download and install them automatically.
4. Once the process is complete, your Mac will be running the latest version of macOS Mojave.
That’s all there is to it! Updating your Mac to the latest version of macOS Mojave is a simple process that can be completed in just a few minutes.
How to Use the Software Update Feature in Mac OS Mojave
About Software Update on Mac
The Software Update feature on a Mac checks for available updates to Apple software installed on the computer, as well as updates to any third-party software installed using Homebrew, MacUpdate Desktop, or the MacPorts package manager. Software Update can also be used to install Mac system updates, such as security patches and new versions of macOS.
Check for and Install Software Updates on Mac
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Click the Apple menu icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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Click System Preferences.
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Click Software Update.
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If there are any available updates, click the Update Now button to install them.
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Enter your admin password when prompted.
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Click Restart to complete the installation of any updates that require a restart.
Install a Specific Software Update on Mac
In some cases, you may want to install a specific software update, rather than install all available updates. For example, if you know that a particular update fixes an issue you’re experiencing, you may want to install that update right away.
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Click the Apple menu icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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Click System Preferences.
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Click Software Update.
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Click the Update History button.
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Click the Installed Updates tab.
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Select the checkbox next to the software update you want to install, then click the Install button.
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Enter your admin password when prompted.
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Click Restart to complete the installation of the selected update.
Enable Automatic Software Updates on Mac
You can set your Mac to check for and install software updates automatically. This is the recommended way to keep your Mac up to date, as you’ll always be running the latest versions of Apple and third-party software.
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Click the Apple menu icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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Click System Preferences.
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Click Software Update.
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Click the Automatically keep my Mac up to date checkbox.
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By default, your Mac will check for updates daily. If you want to check for updates more (or less) often, you can click the Schedule button and choose a different schedule.
Turn Off Automatic Software Updates on Mac
If you’ve previously enabled automatic software updates on your Mac, but now you want to disable that feature, you can follow the steps below.
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Click the Apple menu icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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Click System Preferences.
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Click Software Update.
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Uncheck the Automatically keep my Mac up to date checkbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Mac needs a software update?
If you’re not sure whether your Mac needs a software update, you can always check manually by following the steps in the “Check for and Install Software Updates on Mac” section above.
How often are software updates released for macOS?
Apple releases new versions of macOS, as well as security updates and other smaller updates, on a fairly regular basis. In general, you can expect to see a new version of macOS every year, and security updates released as needed.
Do I need to install every software update that’s released?
It’s always a good idea to keep your Mac up to date with the latest software updates. That said, you don’t necessarily need to install every single update that’s released. If you’re not experiencing any issues with your Mac, and you don’t need the features or bug fixes in a particular update, then you can choose to skip that update.
Can I install software updates without an Internet connection?
Yes, you can install software updates on your Mac without an Internet connection. However, you’ll need to have already downloaded the software update from Apple’s website, and it must be saved on a disk or drive that’s connected to your Mac.
What happens if I don’t install a software update?
In general, it’s a good idea to install software updates as they’re released. That said, you don’t necessarily need to install every single update that’s released. If you’re not experiencing any issues with your Mac, and you don’t need the features or bug fixes in a particular update, then you can choose to skip that update.
How do I uninstall a software update?
In general, it’s not possible to uninstall a software update once it’s been installed on your Mac. If you’re not happy with a particular update, you can always try installing an older version of the software. Or, you can wait for the next software update to be released, which may include fixes for the issues you’re experiencing.
