How to Update Your Mac to the Latest macOS Version (Sequoia/Sonoma)

From time to time, apple releases New Operating System Updates and app updates with new features and bugs fixed on your Mac devices (iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air). So you do it in two different ways, Automatically and Manually update OS X and Downloaded Apps from the app store. On big updates, you have to keep back up your data. Sometimes stop updates in between might be because of an error after when it’s in use.

If you are facing a problem with application access and installing the third-party app, you must have to check updates manually in macOS in the cases it stopped updates coming in as notifications stopped.

Useful: improve battery life of MacBook.

How to Check for Updates Manually on Mac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini

Where is Software Update on Mac?

Due to system malfunction or bug, many users still didn’t get updates on their MacBook/Mac despite turning on auto-updates on macOS. If you are dealing with the same situation, then check for updates manually on your macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey/Catalina, and macOS Mojave like this.

On macOS Ventura & Latest

  1. Go to the Apple Logo from the top menu > System Settings.
System Settings on Mac
System Settings on Mac
  1. Next, Open General > Software Update.
software-update-option-on-mac-in-macos-ventura
software-update-option-on-mac-in-macos-ventura
  1. Wait for a few seconds and see the pending macOS Update. Click on Download and install. if you are not showing any updates or missing. then Force quit system settings (Command + Q) recheck.
  1. See all options for Automatically updating macOS and apps. Click on (i) button to see the Options.
check-for-update-automatically-on-mac
check-for-update-automatically-on-mac

On macOS Monterey & Earlier

  1. Click on Apple logo > System Preferences.
  2. Click on Software Update.
Auto Download and install Apps Update and MacOS Update on Mac
Auto Download and install Apps Update and macOS Update on Mac

Note: On the current screen, mark the option “Automatically keep my Mac up to date”, to install all the future updates automatically.

Automatically keep my Mac up to date
Automatically keep my Mac up to date

Here’s the more custom settings under “Advanced..” on Download and installation of Software Update and Apps Update.

Download New Apps Update Automatically
Download New Apps Update Automatically
  • If any pending update is available, click on the Update Now button. The more info option will show you the exact details of the update.

When you update the system software on macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave, all the applications such as FaceTime, Photos, Mail, Calendar, Safari, iTunes, Books, and Messages app are updated along. But to update other applications of Mac, visit the Mac App Store > Update tab.

Steps for Check updates manually on Mac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini

Auto-updates your Mac OS and Apps

Notification on if any updates available

The first time you will Always get an Updates notification. It Might be most of the users can be agreed with it after reviews about the updates feature users can do it. If you go to turn it on, then your Mac automatically updates itself by controlling all the processes and running program situations very well. After that, your system will be a restarted to apply changes.

Know updates notification from App store icon

check updates manually on Mac OS X Yosemite, Mavericks and lion

If you disable auto-update, you will see the red number badge whenever new updates come. That will give how many updates are ready for the update manually.

Check updates manually on Mac OS X: From App Store

  • Step 1: Go to the Apple Menu, Choose App Store From the Spotlight search, and find App Store.
  • Step 2: From the top bar, click on updates.
  • Read details about all available updates will be displayed there if available through more options.
Manually Update Apps and macOS Software on Mac
Manually Update Apps and macOS Software on Mac

Note: Your OS X update will also be available there in a list.

For Older Version: How to Check Updates Manually on macOS 

Go to the Apple menu > Software Updates and follow the on-screen instruction to update free and purchased the software.

Finally, are you fail to check updates manually on Mac OS X and apps or install them on your device, then contact Apple support. And gives reviews to us in the comment box.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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