How to Update macOS and Your Mac Apps

Keeping your Mac's software up to date is one of the most important things you can do to protect your computer and keep it running well. Software updates include security patches that close vulnerabilities that hackers could otherwise exploit, as well as bug fixes for issues that affect performance and stability. Apple releases macOS updates regularly, and App Store apps receive their own updates separately.

There are two types of updates to manage on a Mac. The first is macOS itself — the operating system that runs everything. The second is App Store apps — the individual programs you have installed from Apple's App Store. Both are handled through different parts of your Mac's settings.

To check for macOS updates, click the Apple menu (the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen), then click "System Settings" on macOS Ventura or later (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "General" in the left sidebar, then "Software Update." Your Mac will check for available updates and display them here. If an update is available, you will see a description and an "Update Now" or "Upgrade Now" button.

Minor updates — like a security patch numbered 14.4.1 — are typically quick to install and are safe to apply right away. Major OS upgrades — like going from macOS Sonoma to macOS Sequoia — involve a larger download and more significant changes. Before a major upgrade, it is wise to back up your Mac using Time Machine.

Time Machine is Apple's built-in backup tool. Connect an external hard drive, open System Settings, click General, then Time Machine, and select your drive. Once set up, Time Machine automatically backs up your Mac hourly. This gives you a full restore point before any major update.

To update App Store apps separately, open the App Store app from your Dock or from the Applications folder. Click "Updates" in the left sidebar. Here you will see any apps with available updates. Click "Update All" to install everything at once, or click "Update" next to individual apps.

To enable automatic updates for both macOS and App Store apps, go to System Settings, click General, then Software Update, and click the information (i) button next to "Automatic updates." From here, you can turn on automatic downloads and installs for both security updates and app updates.