{"id":9302,"date":"2025-07-11T15:55:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T15:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/?p=9302"},"modified":"2025-07-11T15:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T15:55:38","slug":"how-to-update-operating-system-on-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/how-to-update-operating-system-on-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Updating macOS Matters in Cybersecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your Mac\u2019s operating system up to date isn\u2019t just about getting the latest features\u2014it\u2019s also a key part of your <\/span><b>cybersecurity strategy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whether you&#8217;re managing enterprise systems, overseeing IT infrastructure, or ensuring endpoint protection, knowing <\/span><b>how to update operating system on Mac<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this comprehensive guide, we\u2019ll show you how to <\/span><b>check for macOS updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>update macOS manually<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>upgrade to the latest macOS version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while also addressing common concerns related to security, performance, and device compatibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outdated software is a prime target for cybercriminals. Each new <\/span><b>macOS update<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> includes security patches that close vulnerabilities and improve system performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s why you should never delay updates:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Security Fixes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Patches for newly discovered threats.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stability Improvements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Enhanced performance and bug fixes.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>New Features<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Access to the latest tools and apps.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compatibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Support for new third-party applications and devices.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCyberattacks on outdated operating systems are up 42% year over year.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 2024 Threat Report<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Check for macOS Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before initiating an update, it\u2019s important to <\/span><b>check for macOS updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see if your system is already up to date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Steps to Check for Updates:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click on the <\/span><b>Apple Menu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> () in the top-left corner of the screen.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select <\/span><b>System Settings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or <\/span><b>System Preferences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on older macOS versions).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><b>General<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2192 <\/span><b>Software Update<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">macOS will now check for available updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an update is available, you&#8217;ll see an option to <\/span><b>Update Now<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>Upgrade Now<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Pro Tip<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Turn on <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automatic Updates<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by toggling the option in <\/span><b>Software Update Settings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This ensures critical updates install without user intervention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Update macOS Manually<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes automatic updates don\u2019t work as expected, or you may prefer to control when updates happen\u2014especially in enterprise environments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Manual macOS Update Process:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open <\/span><b>System Settings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigate to <\/span><b>General<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2192 <\/span><b>Software Update<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><b>More Info<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to view available updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select desired updates and click <\/span><b>Install Now<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter your admin credentials if prompted.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait for your Mac to download and install the update.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restart your Mac if required.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warning<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Always back up your data using <\/span><b>Time Machine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or another backup method before proceeding.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Upgrade to the Latest macOS Version<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re running an older macOS (like Catalina or Big Sur), you may need to <\/span><b>upgrade to the latest macOS version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as <\/span><b>macOS Sonoma<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Upgrade Steps:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open the <\/span><b>App Store<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Search for the latest macOS (e.g., macOS Sonoma).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><b>Download<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once downloaded, follow the on-screen installation prompts.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your system will reboot several times during the process.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Tip for IT Managers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Use <\/span><b>Mobile Device Management (MDM)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tools to roll out upgrades across multiple endpoints.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Enterprise Considerations Before Updating<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For business environments, updating macOS should be done strategically.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Key Points for IT and Cybersecurity Leaders:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compatibility Testing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Ensure apps and drivers are supported by the new OS.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Policy Compliance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Align updates with your company\u2019s patch management policies.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>User Communication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Notify employees and schedule updates during off-peak hours.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rollback Plans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Always have a contingency in case something goes wrong.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Best Practices for Secure macOS Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow these recommendations to maximize safety and minimize disruptions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backup critical files before any update.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use secure networks (avoid public Wi-Fi).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enable FileVault encryption before updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all Mac accounts.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply firmware updates if available.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Common Issues and Troubleshooting<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updating macOS is typically smooth, but here are a few hiccups you may encounter:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Problem<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Solution<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Update stuck on \u201cPreparing\u201d<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restart Mac and try again<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Update won\u2019t install<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free up disk space (at least 20 GB recommended)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wi-Fi disconnects during update<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use Ethernet if available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mac won&#8217;t boot after update<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start in Safe Mode and diagnose<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications crash post-update<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check for app updates or reinstall<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. How long does it take to update macOS?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually between 20\u201360 minutes, depending on your internet speed and Mac\u2019s performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Will I lose my data when I update macOS?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, macOS updates retain your data. However, backups are strongly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Is macOS Sonoma safe to install?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, it&#8217;s secure and includes enhanced security features\u2014especially beneficial for businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Can I skip updates and upgrade directly?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can skip incremental updates and upgrade straight to the latest macOS.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. How do I update macOS on multiple devices?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use Apple Business Manager or MDM platforms like Jamf or Itarian for centralized deployment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Final Thoughts: Stay Secure, Stay Updated<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing <\/span><b>how to update operating system on Mac<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is more than just a tech tip\u2014it\u2019s a core part of digital resilience and cybersecurity hygiene.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re a <\/span><b>CEO<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>IT leader<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><b>security analyst<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, keeping your fleet of Macs updated ensures stability, compatibility, and protection from evolving threats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to automate OS updates and endpoint security?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udc49<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/signup\/\"> <b>Get started with Itarian for free<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and simplify your IT operations today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keeping your Mac\u2019s operating system up to date isn\u2019t just about getting the latest features\u2014it\u2019s also a key part of your cybersecurity strategy. Whether you&#8217;re managing enterprise systems, overseeing IT infrastructure, or ensuring endpoint protection, knowing how to update operating system on Mac is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we\u2019ll show you how to check&hellip; <span class=\"readmore\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":9312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ticketing-system","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9302"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9322,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9302\/revisions\/9322"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}