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macOS updates

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Upgrade schedule and time estimates

Minor Apple updates (security patches, operating system (OS) “point revisions” and other minor updates) will be applied to your system monthly in alignment with the Microsoft updating schedule on UQ computers.

The minor updates will take roughly between 5 and 30 minutes to install depending on severity and hardware.

Major Apple OS upgrades (moving from one version of the OS to the next) will be applied to your system in alignment with the Microsoft feature updates installation schedule. These will be applied during the December monthly updates.

All other updates will be applied as normal with the inclusion of a delayable restart.

A prompt will be displayed notifying you of available updates and provide you with the option of installing now or postponing the update check. You will be reminded every 3 hours until the update is completed.

When the deadline has been reached, your computer will automatically install the updates.

Expected pop-up windows

macOS Sequoia (15), macOS Sonoma (14), macOS Ventura (13) and macOS Monterey (12)

Minor updates

When minor updates are ready to be installed, you will see the updates window below with the following options:

  • Install: This will close the window and begin the installation. Your system will be restarted automatically when the update is complete.
  • Try Tonight: Your system snooze and try again in the evening when you are no longer using the computer. Installation will begin automatically if the system is idle.
  • Remind Me Tomorrow: The update will be deferred until the following day. If you select this option you will not be given another opportunity to defer the update – it will be automatically installed the following day after this option has been selected.

Example of the update notifications.

Clicking the notification will open the Software Update window.

Example of a macOS minor software update pop-up notification.

Click 'Restart Now' to install the updates.

Major updates

When major upgrades are ready to be installed, you will see the upgrade window below with the following options:

  • Postpone: This will close the window and snooze the prompt for 3 hours.
  • Proceed: Your system will go ahead and install the OS upgrade. This will download and then install and may take some time depending on your connection. A separate window will display to show you the status of the upgrade process.

Example of a macOS major software update pop-up notification.

During the installation your computer will automatically restart. If you choose to postpone, you will receive reminders about the pending upgrade every 3 hours. When the deadline is reached, your computer will automatically be upgraded.

After the installation process is complete, you can log back into your computer as normal.

Should you experience any issues, submit an IT request for advice.

macOS Big Sur (11) and macOS Catalina (10.15)

Security updates

When security updates are ready to be installed, you will see the update window below with the following options:

  • Postpone: This will close the window and snooze the prompt for 3 hours.
  • Proceed: Your system will go ahead and install the OS upgrade. This will download and then install and may take some time depending on your connection. A separate window will display to show you the status of the upgrade process.

Example of a macOS major software update pop-up notification.

During the installation your computer will automatically restart. If you choose to postpone, you will receive reminders about the pending update every 3 hours. When the deadline is reached, your computer will automatically be updated.

Minor updates

To run minor updates:

  1. Open 'System Preferences' and select 'Software Update'.
  2. Click 'More info...'

    Example of Software Update window on macOS Big Sur.
     
  3. Click 'Install Now' to install the available updates.

    Example of available software update on macOS Big Sur

Major upgrades

When upgrades are ready to be installed, you will see the upgrade window below with the following options:

  • Postpone: This will close the window and snooze the prompt for 3 hours.
  • Proceed: Your system will go ahead and install the OS upgrade. This will download and then install and may take some time depending on your connection. A separate window will display to show you the status of the upgrade process.

Example of a macOS major software update pop-up notification.

During the installation your computer will automatically restart. If you choose to postpone, you will receive reminders about the pending update every 3 hours. When the deadline is reached, your computer will automatically be updated.

After the installation process is complete, you can log back into your computer as normal.

Should you experience any issues, submit an IT request for advice.