How to: Manually install operating system updates on your Mac


Instructions

CAUTION: Some updates may require you to restart your Mac. To avoid losing data, please save all of your work before continuing.

  1. Open System Settings.

  2. Click General, then click Software Update.

    macOS System Settings with "General" selected and "Software Update" highlighted

  3. Click Update Now.

    Software Update screen with the "Update Now" button selected

  4. If you are presented with a license agreement, review the agreement. If you agree to the terms, click Agree.

    Apple software license agreement with the "Agree" button selected

  5. Type your password, then click OK.

    Dialog box prompting "Enter your password to install software update", with fields for username and password and the "OK" button selected

  6. Wait for the software update to download.

    NOTE: If the update indicates that a restart of your Mac is required, your Mac may restart without warning after this point.

    Software Update screen showing a progress bar for the installation preparation

Outcome

Your Mac is up to date.

TIP: We recommend enabling automatic updates to avoid having to manually install updates.

Software Update screen showing the message "Your Mac is up to date."