How to Update macOS Software

Last updated on January 4th, 2026 at 3:30 am

Apple releases Mac OS updates periodically. These updates help you keep your Mac
more stable and
secure, and it brings better performance. These updates not only help you update the operating system, but they also include updates for apps that are part of macOS, such as Safari, iTunes, and more.

Once you receive a notification for a software update, you can pick the time to install the updates or simply select to be reminded the next day. You can also update Mac OS manually in the Software Update pane of System Preferences.  

You can visit the App Store to find updates to software you’ve downloaded from the App Store.

Note: Before you click the update button, you should free up disk storage on your Mac. To do this, you can use advanced Mac cleaner tools like Cleaner One Pro. This smart solution is designed to help you find & clean unnecessary files & applications to recover valuable disk space required for OS upgrade. The best part is Cleaner One Pro is all-in-one Mac disk cleaning software that helps you visualize, manage, and clean disk space in just one click.

How to get updates for macOS Mojave or later

If you have already upgraded to macOS Mojave or later, you need to follow the steps to keep the OS up to date.

  1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences, and click Software Update. Alternatively, select Apple menu > About This Mac, then click Software Update.
  2. Now, to install all available updates, click the Update Now button. If you want to check details of each available update, you can click the More info option. Here, you can choose
    Specific updates to install.
mac Software Update preferences
  • Once it completes updating the software, you will find a message that your Mac is up to date. It means the installed version of macOS and apps that are part of macOS are updated. These
    apps include iTunes, Safari, Messages, Books, Calendar, Mail, Photos, and
    FaceTime.
  • To update software downloaded from the App Store, such as iMovie, Pages, Keynote, GarageBand, and other apps, you need to open the App Store from the Apple menu and select the Updates tab.

Set Mac check for software updates automatically

 You can set your Mac to install macOS updates automatically. Here, it will also update apps downloaded from the App Store separately. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Apple menu > System
    Preferences and select Software Update.
  2. Now choose Automatically keep my Mac up to date.
  3. Click the Advanced button to set advanced update options. Here, you can
    Select any of these options:
  4. Select Check for updates to let
    Mac automatically checks for updates.
  5. Select Download new updates
    when available to let the Mac install updates without asking.
  6. Select Install macOS updates to
    allow the Mac install all available macOS updates automatically.
  7. Select Install app updates from
    the App Store to allow the Mac to download app updates from the App Store
    automatically.
  8. Select Install system data
    files and security updates to allow Mac automatically install system files and
    security updates.
  9. Click OK.

To get alal the available updates automatically, you should choose Check for updates, Install
system data files and security updates, and download new updates when available.

Note: If you have MacBookAir, MacBook, or MacBook Pro, then you should keep the power adapter plugged in to download all available updates automatically.

How to get updates for earlier macOS versions

If you are using macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or earlier macOS versions, then follow below mentioned steps to get updates.

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. From the App Store toolbar, click
    Updates tab.
available macOS update
  • Now you will find all available
    updates listed here. To download any of these updates, click Update button next to it.
  • Now that App Store says no more
    updates are available, the installed version of macOS and all apps that are
    part of it are up to date. It includes iTunes, Safari, Mail, Messages,
    Calendar, FaceTime, and Photos. You can find later versions by upgrading your
    macOS.

If you want to download updates automatically in the future, select Apple menu > System Preferences and select App Store > Download newly available updates in the background. You will be notified when updates are ready to install.

Conclusion

So this was a quick discussion on how to update Mac OS in a few easy steps. Follow these steps to update software on a Mac for better security and performance. You can also expect more stable performance once you have updated your Mac software. Do share your experience in the comments below.

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Popular Post

Recent Post

CCleaner PC Optimizer Review: A Complete Guide for Windows Users

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 17, 2026

If your computer has started to feel slow, you are not alone. Most Windows PCs slow down over time. Junk files pile up. The registry gets messy. Too many apps open when you start your PC. All this adds up and makes even a good machine feel tired. This is where a PC cleaner tool […]

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder: Full Review and User Guide

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 14, 2026

A computer quietly gathers clutter over time. This includes duplicate photos, repeated downloads, and forgotten backups hiding in random folders. This buildup slowly eats away at storage and can make even a fast PC feel sluggish. Manually finding and deleting duplicates is tedious. It means checking every folder, comparing file names, and guessing which copies […]

CCleaner Duplicate File Finder: Key Features, Pricing, Step-by-Step Guide and More

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 7, 2026

Every computer collects junk over time. Right? Well, yes! Photos often get copied twice. Documents get saved in two folders by mistake. Old downloads pile up and never get deleted. This slowly eats up your storage space, and most people do not even notice until their drive is almost full. That is where a duplicate […]

Duplicate File Finder Pro: A Complete Review, Everything You Should Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 4, 2026

Computers collect thousands of files over time. Well, yes! Many of them end up being duplicates created by backups, downloads, or accidental copies. These extra files take up valuable storage space and make it harder to keep everything organized. Finding and removing them manually can take hours. Right? Duplicate File Finder Pro is a tool […]

Monitor Screen Calibration Guide: Everything You Should Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 30, 2026

Your monitor shows colors every single day. But are those colors actually correct? Most people never stop to check this. They just use the screen as it comes out of the box. This habit can lead to wrong colors in photos, videos, and work files. Colors may look too warm or too cold without you […]

How To Check Installed RAM and RAM Slots [Complete Guide]

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 26, 2026

RAM plays an important role in how smoothly a computer runs. Short for Random Access Memory, it stores the data and instructions that Windows and active applications need at any given moment. From opening multiple browser tabs to running games and productivity software, RAM helps keep everything responsive. A system with limited memory may experience […]

What is Microsoft Autopilot Everything You Need To Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 21, 2026

Technology has changed the way companies manage computers. Well, yes! Employees now work from offices, homes, and remote locations. Setting up devices manually for every worker takes time and effort. It can also create mistakes that slow down productivity. This is where Microsoft Autopilot becomes useful. It helps businesses prepare and deploy Windows devices with […]

Enable Automatic Device Locking Feature Windows: Complete Guide

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 19, 2026

Introduction: Your computer stores important information such as emails, documents, passwords, and personal photos. Leaving it unlocked can put that data at risk. Thankfully, Windows includes built-in features that can automatically lock your device when you are away. Setting up automatic device locking is quick and does not require any extra software. In this guide, […]

How to Update Wireless Network Driver in Windows 11 and 10

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 17, 2026

Your Wi-Fi keeps dropping. Pages load slowly. The connection feels unstable? Well, you are not alone. Most of the time, the problem is not with your internet plan. It is with your wireless network driver. A driver is a small piece of software that helps your computer talk to its hardware. When it gets outdated, […]

Common Windows 11 Problems and Solutions (2026 Version)

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 14, 2026

Windows 11 has become more polished over the years, but it is still not completely free from problems. Even after regular updates from Microsoft, many users continue to face issues like lagging performance, failed updates, audio troubles, random crashes, and network errors. Some problems appear after installing new features, while others develop gradually as the […]