Keep your Mac up to date
Periodically, Apple releases updates to your macOS software (which can include updates to apps that come with your Mac and important security updates).
If you receive a notification that software updates are available, you can choose when to install the updates, or choose to be reminded the next day. You can also check for macOS updates manually in Software Update system preferences.
Tip: To check for updates to software you’ve downloaded from the App Store, open the App Store.
Check for Mac updates manually
To install updates manually on your Mac, do one of the following:
To download macOS software updates, choose Apple menu
Open Software Update preferences for me
Tip: You can also click the Apple menu—the number of available updates, if any, is shown next to System Preferences. Choose System Preferences to continue.
To update software downloaded from the App Store, click the Apple menu—the number of available updates, if any, is shown next to App Store. Choose App Store to continue in the App Store
app.
Set your Mac to check for software updates automatically
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
To automatically install macOS updates, select “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”
To set advanced update options, click Advanced, then do any of the following:
To have your Mac check for updates automatically, select “Check for updates.”
To have your Mac download updates without asking, select “Download new updates when available.”
To have your Mac install macOS updates automatically, select “Install macOS updates.”
To have your Mac install app updates from the App Store automatically, select “Install app updates from the App Store.”
To have your Mac install system files and security updates automatically, select “Install system data files and security updates.”
Click OK.
To receive the latest updates automatically, it’s recommended that you select “Check for updates,” “Download new updates when available,” and “Install system data files and security updates.”
Note: MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.