Where to find Mac updates and why they matter

Mac updates live in System Settings under the General tab, in a section called Software Update. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), click General on the left side, then click Software Update. Your Mac will check for available updates and show you what's waiting. If an update is ready, you'll see an "Update Now" or "Upgrade Now" button.

Updates patch security holes, fix bugs that slow your computer down, and add features. A Mac that hasn't been updated in months is slower and more vulnerable to the kinds of problems that make your machine feel sluggish. Most updates install in the background and restart your Mac automatically, so you won't lose work if you save before bed.

Your Mac can also check for updates automatically. In that same Software Update window, you'll see options to turn on automatic updates for system updates, app updates from the App Store, and security updates. Turning these on means your Mac handles the routine work without you having to remember.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click General, then Software Update to see what updates are waiting for your Mac right now.
  • Security updates and bug fixes make your Mac faster and safer, so checking monthly takes five minutes and prevents bigger problems later.
  • You can turn on automatic updates in the same Software Update window so your Mac installs routine patches without you having to check manually.
  • Major macOS upgrades (like Sonoma or Sequoia) take longer to install and restart your Mac, so plan to do those when you won't need your computer for an hour.
  • If an update fails or your Mac gets stuck, restarting usually fixes it — hold the power button for ten seconds, wait thirty seconds, then turn it back on.

The difference between security updates and major upgrades

Your Mac gets two kinds of updates. Security updates are small patches that fix vulnerabilities and bugs. They're usually numbered like 14.1.1 or 14.2, they install quickly (often in under ten minutes), and they restart your Mac automatically. These are the ones you want to install as soon as they show up, because they close holes that malware or hackers could use.

Major upgrades are new versions of macOS itself — Sonoma, Sequoia, Ventura. They're bigger downloads (several gigabytes), take 30 minutes to an hour to install, and change how your Mac looks and works. You don't have to upgrade to a new macOS version right away. If your Mac is running smoothly on the current version, waiting a few weeks lets Apple fix any problems that show up after release. But you should upgrade within a few months, because Apple stops supporting old versions after about two years.

Check which macOS version you're running now by clicking the Apple menu (top left) and selecting "About This Mac". The version number appears at the top. If it's more than one or two versions behind the newest one, a major upgrade is waiting for you in Software Update.

What to do before you install a big update

Before you install a major macOS upgrade, back up your Mac. The easiest way is to plug in an external hard drive and let Time Machine handle it automatically — it's in System Settings under General, then Time Machine. If you don't have an external drive, you can use iCloud, but it's slower for a full backup. A backup takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much is on your Mac, but it means you can recover everything if something goes wrong.

Close programs you're working in and save your files. Quit your email client, web browser, and any other apps that are open. Plug in power if you're on a laptop — don't let your Mac run on battery during an upgrade. Make sure you have at least 20 to 30 gigabytes of free space on your drive; if you're close to full, delete old files or move them to external storage first.

Tell anyone else who shares your Mac that an update is coming. If you're on a shared computer, give people a heads-up so they can save their work and close their programs too. Once the upgrade starts, your Mac will restart and be unavailable for a while.

How to restart your Mac if an update gets stuck

Updates usually finish without problems, but occasionally one will stall or your Mac will seem frozen. If the update screen hasn't changed in 15 minutes and the progress bar isn't moving, try a restart. Hold down the power button on your Mac for ten seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Your Mac will pick up where it left off.

If your Mac restarts but gets stuck on the Apple logo or a loading screen, hold the power button again for ten seconds and let it restart. Most updates recover on the second or third restart. If it's still stuck after three restarts, your Mac may have a deeper problem — try restarting in Safe Mode by holding Shift while it boots up, which loads only essential software and can help you troubleshoot.

If you're still stuck after that, you can contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Bring your Mac and any external drives you use with it. The process usually takes a few hours, and Apple can often fix it without losing your files.

Why your Mac might say "updates available" but not show them

Sometimes Software Update shows "Your Mac is up to date" even though you know an update exists. This usually means one of three things: your Mac is already installing an update in the background, an update is waiting for a restart, or your Mac needs more free space to read the next update.

If an update is waiting for a restart, you'll see a message that says "Restart Required" or "Update and Restart" in the Software Update window. Click that button and your Mac will restart and finish the installation. If you see a message about free space, delete old files, empty your Trash, or move large files to external storage, then check for updates again.

If you've just installed an update and restarted, wait a few minutes before checking again. Your Mac sometimes needs time to finish background tasks after a restart before it's ready to check for the next update.

Turning on automatic updates so you don't have to check manually

In System Settings under General > Software Update, you'll see a button that says "Automatic Updates" or "Automatic Updates Settings". Click it to see your options. You can turn on automatic updates for system updates, app updates from the App Store, and security updates separately. Most people turn on all three.

When automatic updates are on, your Mac checks for updates daily and installs them in the background. For small security patches, it restarts your Mac automatically, usually at night or when you're not using it. For major upgrades, your Mac will notify you and ask when you want to install it, so you have control over the timing.

Automatic updates mean you don't have to remember to check, and your Mac stays current without extra work. The only downside is that your Mac might restart without warning if you leave it on overnight. If that's a problem, you can turn off automatic restarts and just let your Mac notify you when an update is ready, then restart it yourself when it's convenient.

What to do if an app stops working after an update

Occasionally an app will break after a macOS update. The app might not open, might crash when you use it, or might be missing features. Usually this means the app's developer hasn't updated it yet to work with the new macOS version.

First, try restarting your Mac — sometimes an app just needs a fresh start. If that doesn't work, check the App Store or the app's website to see if an update is available. Click the App Store icon in your dock, go to the Updates tab, and see if the broken app has a newer version waiting. If it does, install it. If the app doesn't have an update yet, you may have to wait a few days or weeks for the developer to release one.

If the app is old and the developer isn't updating it anymore, you might need to find a replacement. Search the App Store for similar apps, read reviews, and try a few until you find one that works. This is rare — most apps update within a week or two of a major macOS release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delay a macOS upgrade if I'm not ready?

Yes. Security updates are small and install automatically, but you can delay a major macOS upgrade for weeks or months. In Software Update, you'll see an option to "Remind Me Later" for big upgrades. You should upgrade within a few months though, because Apple stops supporting old versions after about two years.

Will an update delete my files?

No. Updates preserve all your files, settings, and apps. But you should back up your Mac before a major upgrade anyway, just in case something unexpected happens. Time Machine makes this automatic if you plug in an external drive.

Why does my Mac restart for updates in the middle of the day?

Security updates restart automatically because they fix urgent vulnerabilities. If this is disruptive, you can turn off automatic restarts in System Settings under General > Software Update > Automatic Updates Settings, and restart manually when it's convenient.

How much space do I need for a macOS upgrade?

Major upgrades need 20 to 30 gigabytes of free space to read and install. If you're running low on space, delete old files, move photos or videos to external storage, or empty your Trash before you start the upgrade.

What if I don't want to update my Mac at all?

You can turn off automatic updates in System Settings, but you should install security updates at least. Skipping security patches leaves your Mac vulnerable to malware and hackers. Major macOS upgrades you can delay, but security updates should install within a month of release.