Checking for updates

Updates via command-line

You can install macOS updates from the built-in command line using the softwareupdate utility in Terminal. This is often preferred by power users and system administrators for its flexibility and ability to automate tasks.

Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

1. Open Terminal: You can find Terminal in Applications/Utilities or by searching for it using Spotlight (Cmd + Space, then type "Terminal").

2. Check for Available Updates: Before installing, it's good practice to see what updates are available for your system. Use one of these commands:

softwareupdate -l

softwareupdate --list

This will list any pending updates, including macOS updates, Safari updates, security updates, and other Apple software. You'll see information like the update's name, version, and size. Look for items marked [Recommended] and [restart] (indicating a restart is needed).

3. Install All Available Updates: To download and install all available updates, use the following command:

sudo softwareupdate -ia

sudo softwareupdate --install --all

• ``sudo``: This grants administrative privileges, which are necessary for installing updates. You'll be prompted to enter your administrator password.
• ``-i`` or ``--install``: This flag tells softwareupdate to install the updates.
• ``-a`` or ``--all``: This flag tells softwareupdate to install all available updates.

4. Install Specific Updates: If you only want to install a particular update from the list you saw in step 2, you can specify its identifier:

sudo softwareupdate -i "Update Name-Version"

sudo softwareupdate --install "Update Name-Version"

Important Notes: - The "Update Name-Version" is the exact identifier from the output of softwareupdate -l. - If the update name contains spaces, you must enclose it in single quotes (e.g., 'macOS Ventura 13.5 Update-'). Be precise with the name, including any trailing spaces if present in the output of -l.

5. Download Updates Without Installing: You can download updates to your system without immediately installing them. This can be useful if you want to prepare updates for later installation or for multiple machines.

sudo softwareupdate -d -a

sudo softwareupdate -d "Update Name-Version"

Downloaded updates are usually stored in /Library/Updates. You can then install them later using the -i or --install command.

6. Restart After Installation: Many macOS updates require a restart to complete the installation. The softwareupdate command will usually prompt you to restart or handle it automatically if you use the -R flag.

sudo softwareupdate -iaR

It's generally a good idea to perform the restart when prompted or manually after the installation is complete.

Important Considerations

• Backup Your Mac: Before performing any major system update, it's always highly recommended to back up your Mac using Time Machine or another backup solution.
• Administrator Password: You will need your administrator password to use sudo and install updates.
• Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is essential for downloading updates.
• Disk Space: Ensure you have enough free disk space for the updates.
• Third-Party Apps: The softwareupdate command handles Apple system updates and built-in Apple apps. It does not update third-party apps from the Mac App Store or other sources.
• Command Line Tools for Xcode: If you develop or use certain development tools, you might also need to update the Xcode Command Line Tools. You can usually do this with xcode-select --install or through softwareupdate.

By using the softwareupdate command, you gain more control over when and how your macOS updates are applied, which can be particularly useful in automated environments or for troubleshooting.