How to Update Your Apple MacBook Pro

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: macOS: Update

Periodically, Apple releases updates to your computer’s software (which can include 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 the App Store in the Apple menu to see if there are any updates.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.

2. macOS: Configure Automatic Updates

For the best security, we recommend keeping all apps and the operating system up to date.

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
Apple menu, with System Preferences selected. Screenshot.
  1. Click App Store.
Screenshot of the System Preferences window, with App Store selected.
  1. Select “Automatically check for updates.”
  2. To have your Mac download updates without asking, select “Download newly available updates in the background.”
  3. To have your Mac install app updates automatically, select “Install app updates.”
  4. To have your Mac install macOS updates automatically, select “Install macOS updates.”
  5. To have your Mac install system files and security updates automatically, select “Install system data files and security updates.”

App Store settings. Screenshot.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.

3. macOS: Check for Updates

  1. Click the Apple menu, then click onApp Store.
Apple menu with App Store highlighted.
  1. Select Updates on the bar at the top.
App store menu bar with Updates highlighted.
  1. Any pending updates for your Mac will be listed here. Select Update All to apply these updates.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.