macOS · System
Control How Updates Install Automatically
This is the set of individual toggles inside Software Update that decide whether macOS checks for updates, downloads them, and installs security responses, system files, and app updates without asking you each time. You can automate the whole pipeline or keep manual approval at any step.
How to open Automatic Updates
- Open System Settings → General → Software Update.
- Click the info button (ⓘ) next to 'Automatic Updates'.
- Turn on or off each option: check, download, install macOS updates, install app updates, install security responses.
- Close the panel — changes apply immediately.
What you should know
- Toggle 'Check for updates' to control whether macOS looks for new updates in the background.
- Toggle 'Download new updates when available' to pre-fetch updates before you approve installing them.
- Toggle automatic installation separately for macOS updates, app updates, and security responses.
- Security responses and system files can be set to install immediately without waiting for a restart.
Why it matters
Automating security-critical updates closes the window between a vulnerability being disclosed and your Mac being protected, which matters most for security responses that patch actively exploited issues. Leaving everything manual is fine for control, but it only helps if you actually remember to check regularly.
Best practices
- Keep 'Install Security Responses and system files' turned on even if you prefer manual control over macOS version upgrades.
- Leave 'Check for updates' on at minimum so you're notified promptly even if you install manually.
- Review update settings after a major macOS upgrade, since some options can reset to defaults.
Common problems and fixes
- Automatic updates seem to never actually install.
- Confirm the Mac isn't set to sleep overnight (updates often install while idle and connected to power), and check that all four automatic toggles are enabled.
- An update installed automatically at an inconvenient time.
- Turn off automatic installation for macOS updates specifically while keeping security responses automated, so major installs wait for your approval.
Tips and tricks
- Run `softwareupdate --schedule on` in Terminal to enable automatic checking from the command line on managed Macs.
Frequently asked questions
Do automatic updates require my Mac to be plugged in?
Larger downloads and installs generally happen more reliably on power and Wi-Fi, but macOS will still check and download on battery in most cases.
Can I automate security patches without automating full macOS version upgrades?
Yes — the 'Install Security Responses and system files' toggle is separate from the 'Install macOS updates' toggle, so you can automate one without the other.
Related settings
- Software UpdateSoftware Update in System Settings keeps macOS current with the latest security fixes, features, and app compatibility improvements. Regular updates help keep your Mac fast, stable, and protected.
- Rapid Security ResponsesRapid Security Responses are small, fast-turnaround updates Apple issues between full macOS releases to patch urgent, actively exploited security issues. They install quickly, often without a restart, and are labeled with a letter suffix like 'macOS Sonoma 14.5 (a)'.
- Update HistoryUpdate History lists every macOS update, security response, and Apple software update that has ever been installed on this Mac, along with the date and version number. It's the fastest way to confirm exactly what's been patched and when.
More System guides for macOS
- Beta UpdatesBeta Updates lets you opt this Mac into pre-release macOS software — either the public beta or, with a developer account, the developer beta — so you can try upcoming features before they're officially released. Beta software is less stable and should only run on a Mac you don't depend on daily.
- App Store Automatic App UpdatesControl whether apps downloaded from the Mac App Store update automatically in the background as new versions become available.
- Update Now vs. Upgrade LaterWhen both are available, decide whether to install just the latest security or point update for your current macOS version, or perform a full upgrade to the newest major macOS release.
- Update Installation SchedulingFine-tune whether macOS installs downloaded updates immediately, overnight, or only after explicit confirmation, minimizing disruption during active work sessions.
- Managed Updates (Enterprise/School)See when an employer or school's device management policy is deferring, restricting, or controlling macOS update availability on a managed Mac.
- Update macOS from the Command LineUse the built-in softwareupdate command-line tool in Terminal to list, download, and install macOS updates without opening System Settings, useful for scripting and remote management.