Outdated software can be very problematic at times, being buggy and posing security threats to your system. That's why it's vital to keep all your Mac's software up to date.
But how can you ensure that your machine is completely up to date? There's no one-size-fits-all maintenance solution, so let's look at how updates for your Mac and its software work.
macOS Software Updates
Apple frequently releases periodic operating system updates that include many important changes and, as such, they should be applied as soon as possible. These updates frequently patch security holes that can leave your Mac vulnerable to attack. At the same time, they improve general system stability and sometimes add new features.
For instance, Apple's macOS Monterey 12.1 update introduced SharePlay to the Mac, a much-awaited feature that was initially revealed at WWDC 2021.
Apple also releases updates specific to bits of hardware, like your MacBook trackpad or changes to the recovery partition. These are all tailored to your specific hardware, so your Mac won't download anything you don't need.
How to Update to the Latest Version of macOS
The method to update your Mac depends on which version of macOS you're currently running. Updates used to be done through the Mac App Store; however, starting with macOS Mojave, Apple introduced a new method to update macOS through System Preferences. We've covered both methods below.
Note: Before you apply any updates, we recommend that you make a Time Machine backup, just in case anything goes wrong.
Update via the System Preferences (macOS Mojave or later)
If you are running macOS Monterey or later, you can update your Mac using the Software Update section in System Preferences. This will ensure that both your operating system and all default software are running on the latest version.
Here's how to do it:
- Open up System Preferences on your Mac. You can do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top menu bar and selecting System Preferences.
- Click on Software Update.
- Your Mac will check for all available updates for your system. If any are available, click on Update Now to download and install them. You can view the details about each update and select specific updates to install by clicking on More info.
- If you want to enable automatic updates on your Mac, check the option to Automatically keep my Mac up to date.
When the Software Update page says that your Mac is up to date, macOS and all of the apps it installs by default are up to date. These apps include Safari, Messages, Mail, Music, Photos, FaceTime, and Calendar. For all other apps that you downloaded using the App Store, updates are available using the Updates section in the App Store.
You can also choose to upgrade your Mac to the next major version of macOS using the same method.
Update macOS Using the Mac App Store (macOS High Sierra and earlier)
If your Mac is running any version of macOS prior to Mojave, you won't see the Software Update option in System Preferences. Instead, updates are available from the Mac App Store.
Launch the Mac App Store with Spotlight or by clicking it from your Applications folder, click on the Updates tab and look at the top of the list.
Apple's own updates will always appear above everything else. They're often grouped together, and you can click on More to see each pending update or choose to install them individually. Click on Install, after which the update will be downloaded and applied.
Mac App Software Updates
The methods covered above allow you to update your version of macOS. Apps need to be kept up to date as well. For software installed via the Mac App Store, you can simply launch the store, and click on Updates from the left-hand pane. By default, automatic updates are turned off, so you'll need to update manually via this method.
To enable automatic updates for apps installed using the Mac App Store, go to App Store > Preferences from the top menu, and enable Automatic Updates.
If you installed software from anywhere other than the Mac App Store, you'll need to update the software by launching it and checking for available updates. This option can usually be found by clicking on the application's name at the top of the screen, then selecting Check for Updates.
Most apps will tell you when there's an update available, and many will install new versions automatically—like Google's Chrome browser. Some older software may even require that you manually download the latest version.
You should avoid third-party apps that promise to update other software for you, as this is a front commonly used to install malware.
Delaying Major Upgrades
There are valid reasons for delaying major upgrades and, provided you have the latest security updates installed for your current version of macOS, you'll only be missing out on the new features. The main reason to delay an upgrade is due to software compatibility.
If you're using a piece of software that you simply can't live without, make sure it works with the next version of macOS before you install it. We recommend checking with the developer, or testing on a spare Mac if you have one.
Every year, Apple rolls out a major upgrade, and every year apps stop working until their developers can patch them. Although this is rare now, it still happens. Be smart and think ahead.
About the macOS Public Beta Program
Apple's public beta program has been running for a few years now, allowing users to test software updates before they're ready for a full public release. You can opt in to the program on Apple's Beta Software Program website. Sign in with your Apple ID, download the public beta access utility to enroll your Mac, then check the Software Update section in System Preferences.
Apple's public betas are far more stable than the early versions they seed to developers, but beta software is still unfinished. As such, you might want to avoid using beta software on a Mac you depend on for work, study, or other important daily tasks.
Note: If you don't regularly back up your Mac, with Time Machine or otherwise, it is risky to automatically install beta operating system updates. If something goes wrong, you might wake up to a black screen and an unresponsive Mac. You might even need to reinstall the operating system via the recovery partition, and you'll lose anything you haven't backed up in doing so.
The Risk of Malware Hidden in Updates
In March 2016, Mac torrent client Transmission became infected with malware; well, ransomware to be precise. The app was hit again with yet more malware in August of the same year. The primary method for spreading the included malware was by including it in a software update.
Transmission acted quickly on both occasions, but blindly trusting the installer had consequences for more than a handful of users.
The main problem is that there's no way of knowing if the app you're about to update has been compromised until it's too late. It's a rare occurrence, and it's even rarer for it to happen twice, but it's never impossible. This is another great reason to back up your system regularly.
Mac App Store updates are scrutinized by Apple themselves. So these shouldn't pose too much of a threat. Software downloaded from the store is sandboxed too, a measure put in place to protect your system from unwanted changes.
If in doubt, we recommend you wait a week or more before installing any new updates. Then check the news regarding that software to find out how the update is performing.
Keep Your Mac Updated
We can't stress this enough—you should ensure your Mac is updated to the latest version available, whether it's for the operating system or for third-party apps. This will allow you to use all of the latest features as well as avoid any security vulnerabilities. The only reason to temporarily avoid an update is because of software compatibility, which should also only be for a short time.