Periodically, Apple releases updates to your macOS software (which can include updates to apps that come with your Mac and important security updates). Software Updates are an essential part of maintaining supportability and securing your Mac. AppState's ITS supportability model states iOS devices must be able to be on the latest version of iOS or one version previous. We recommend you regularly check your device for any available updates and apply them as soon as possible. You can view the Supportability Standard in full here.
The currently supported operating system versions are:
- macOS 12
- macOS 13
If your device requires an update, you will receive a macOS Update Notification. You can view the Windows and macOS System Updates and Patches article for more information about the notifications. You should also understand the differences between macOS minor updates and major upgrades:
- Major Upgrades will include new features, be a larger install, and could potentially impact the support for 3rd-party software you have installed on your Mac. University policy requires Macs to be on the latest major version of macOS or one previous from the latest.
- Minor Updates are generally smaller and are typically provide bug fixes and patch security vulnerabilities. University policy requires that you install all minor updates within 7 days of availability in order to keep our systems secure from security vulnerabilities. or continue with the steps below to update the software your Mac:
Follow the steps below to either update or upgrade your Mac. To keep things simple, for most users, we recommend that you upgrade your Mac as soon as possible whenever a major macOS upgrade is available.
Skip directly to the steps for your macOS version here:
WARNING:
While generally very safe, updates run minimal risk of data loss. Please ensure you are backing up your data to another location regularly to avoid risk. One of our Desktop Support Specialists will be happy to assist with this process. Please visit tech.appstate.edu and submit a request for Computer Support.
Installing Apple Software Updates from System Preferences on macOS 12 and lower
- From the apple icon in the top left of the menu bar, launch System Preferences.
- In System Preferences, click on Software Update.
Software Update will show you both the latest minor updates and major upgrades available to your Mac (as allowed by ITS). By default, the latest version will appear and we recommend you complete that upgrade/update as soon as possible.
Important:
When you initiate an update, your Mac will download the necessary components and will need to restart to perform the installation. Before proceeding, save your current documents, quit any open applications, and copy all files and user data to another computer or backup drive. If this is a laptop, please connect to a charger at this time. This process could take a while and your Mac will be unavailable during this time.
- Depending on the availability of software updates for your Mac and whether you are ready to install the major upgrade or just the minor updates you will follow different steps outlined below. The steps below are listed in order of recommendation, for instance, we recommend you to always go to the latest major version of macOS so that will be the first step listed. If you are not ready to upgrade to the latest major version, then you can skip to the next step to only install the minor updates as required by University policy:
- Major upgrade recommended
- When there is a major upgrade shown in the window, clicking on More Info will allow you to see all minor updates still available.
- To update to minor versions, check all updates in this list, then click Install Now.
- To update to minor versions, check all updates in this list, then click Install Now.
- Minor update only shows
Note
You may be prompted to enter credentials. If required, use Privileges to elevate your account to an admin and then type in your password.
Installing Apple Software Updates from System Settings on macOS 13 and higher
- From the apple icon in the top left of the menu bar, launch System Settings.
- In System Settings, click on General → Software Update.
Software Update will show you both the latest minor updates and major upgrades available to your Mac (as allowed by ITS). By default, the latest version will appear and we recommend you complete that upgrade/update as soon as possible.
Important:
When you initiate an update, your Mac will download the necessary components and will need to restart to perform the installation. Before proceeding, save your current documents, quit any open applications, and copy all files and user data to another computer or backup drive. If this is a laptop, please connect to a charger at this time. This process could take a while and your Mac will be unavailable during this time.
- To install an available major upgrade, click the Update Now button to begin updating your Mac. Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
- When there is a major upgrade shown in the window, clicking on More Info will allow you to see all minor updates still available. To update to minor versions, check all updates in this list, then click Install Now.
- Software Update will begin downloading and preparing the update.
- When it is finished, a notification will appear to alert that the computer will restart in 1 minute. You can click Restart from the notification, or you can click Restart Now in the Software Update tab.
