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Keeping Apple Software Products Up-To-Date

Article ID = 10
Article Title = Keeping Apple Software Products Up-To-Date
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 15th June 2011
Article Last Updated = 8th October 2019
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?10

Article Brief Description:
A guide to keeping your Apple software products up-to-date

Primary Apple Software List (for Mac users):

  • macOS 15.1.1 - included in the macOS 15.1.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 14.7.1 update)
  • macOS 14.7.1 - included in the macOS 14.7.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 13.7.1 update + latest Safari update - scroll to the very bottom of Software Update and click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • macOS 13.7.1 - included in the macOS 13.7.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install the 12.7.6 update + latest Safari update - click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • SECURITY WARNING: macOS 12 and earlier are no longer supported with security updates - see our securing older operating systems article.
macOS 10.14 and later
  • Check for an update now: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Check for Updates" and tick the boxes for your required options (NOTE: If your OS offers the "Install macOS Updates" option you are highly recommended to UNTICK this option, as this option will automatically install, a full, new entire operating system version on the day of release - which is a really bad idea.
  • Download the latest combo/security updates manually from the Apple support downloads page.
OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13
  • Check for an update now: Go to Apple menu > App Store… > click the "Updates" icon in the top right
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and tick the boxes for your required options underneath that heading (NOTE: If your OS offers the "Install macOS Updates" option you are highly recommended to UNTICK this option, as this option will automatically install, a full, new entire operating system version on the day of release - which is a really bad idea.
  • Download the latest combo/security updates manually from the Apple support downloads page.
Mac OS X (10.0 to 10.7)
  • Check for an update now: Go to Apple menu > Software Update…
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and tick "Check for Updates" plus set your preferred recurrence timeframe.
  • Download updates manually from the Apple support downloads page.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard malware definitions
  • NOTE: You must be running at least Mac OS X 10.6.7 + Security Update 2011-003 to be able to automatically update your malware definitions file.
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Security > General tab and tick "Automatically update safe downloads list".
  • Check for an update now: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Security > General tab and untick "Automatically update safe downloads list" and then immediately tick it again (this forces OS X to update the definitions list).
macOS / OS X / Mac OS X Combo Updates
Safari
Safari updates are now offered as part of the standard Apple Software Update feature of macOS.
SECURITY WARNING: Safari is no longer supported with security updates on unsupported versions of macOS.
Q. What are the current, supported versions of macOS?
A. macOS 15 (Sequoia), macOS 14 (Sonoma), and macOS 13 (Ventura) are supported by Apple. The latest security updates are:
  • macOS 15.1.1 - included in the macOS 15.1.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 14.7.1 update)
  • macOS 14.7.1 - included in the macOS 14.7.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update and install the 13.7.1 update + latest Safari update - scroll to the very bottom of Software Update and click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • macOS 13.7.1 - included in the macOS 13.7.1 Installer (or go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update and install the 12.7.6 update + latest Safari update - click the blue "More info" link under "Other updates are available" or "Another update is available")
  • SECURITY WARNING: macOS 12 and earlier are no longer supported with security updates - see our securing older operating systems article.
iTunes
iTunes updates are now offered as part of the standard Apple Software Update feature of macOS.
SECURITY WARNING: iTunes is no longer supported on OS X 10.9.5 or earlier. If you still use OS X 10.9.5 or earlier you are strongly recommended to be very careful with what media you add to your iTunes library - always and only add files from legitimate/trusted sources.
QuickTime + QuickTime web browser plug-in
QuickTime updates are now offered as part of the standard Apple Software Update feature of macOS.
SECURITY WARNING: QuickTime is no longer supported with security updates on OS X 10.11 El Capitan or earlier.
iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband (Mac App Store versions)
SECURITY WARNING: iPhoto is no longer supported. You should upgrade to an operating system that supports Photos or use a third party alternative.
  • Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > click "Updates" > click the "Update" button to the right of the application that you wish to update (sign in, if necessary).
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (macOS 10.14 or later): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Install app updates from the App Store" .
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and TICK "Install app updates".
  • Manual updates cannot be downloaded for these applications.
iLife suite including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, iWeb and iDVD (bundled or CD/DVD versions)
SECURITY WARNING: iPhoto is no longer supported. You should upgrade to an operating system that supports Photos or use a third party alternative.
  • Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > click "Updates" > click the "Update" button to the right of the application that you wish to update (sign in, if necessary).
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (macOS 10.14 or later): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Install app updates from the App Store" .
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and TICK "Install app updates".
  • Manual updates cannot be downloaded for these applications.
SECURITY WARNING: Some of these software versions are no longer supported any more. Upgrade to the Apple Mac App Store version or use a third party alternative:
  • iPhoto (all versions) --> upgrade to an operating system that supports Photos or use a third party alternative
  • iMovie v9 or earlier --> upgrade to the Mac App Store version Buy it now on the Mac App Store or try Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 Buy it now at Amazon UK Buy it now at Amazon USA
  • Garageband v9 or earlier --> upgrade to the Mac App Store version Buy it now on the Mac App Store
  • iWeb (all versions) --> try Sandvox
  • iDVD (all versions) --> try Roxio Toast
Pages, Keynote and Numbers (Mac App Store versions)
  • Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > click "Updates" > click the "Update" button to the right of the application that you wish to update (sign in, if necessary).
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (macOS 10.14 or later): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Install app updates from the App Store" .
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and TICK "Install app updates".
  • Manual updates cannot be downloaded for these applications.
iWork suite including Pages, Keynote and Numbers (bundled or CD/DVD versions)
  • Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > click "Updates" > click the "Update" button to the right of the application that you wish to update (sign in, if necessary).
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (macOS 10.14 or later): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Install app updates from the App Store" .
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and TICK "Install app updates".
  • Manual updates cannot be downloaded for these applications.
SECURITY WARNING: Some of these software versions are no longer supported any more. Upgrade to the Apple Mac App Store version if necessary:
  • Pages v5 or earlier --> upgrade to the Mac App Store version Buy it now on the Mac App Store
  • Keynote v6 or earlier --> upgrade to the Mac App Store version Buy it now on the Mac App Store
  • Numbers v3 or earlier --> upgrade to the Mac App Store version Buy it now on the Mac App Store
Aperture (all versions)
SECURITY WARNING: Aperture is no longer supported any more. Upgrade to a third party alternative:
Final Cut Express/Pro/Studio (retail versions)
SECURITY WARNING: Final Cut Express/Pro/Studio retail versions are no longer supported any more. Upgrade to:
Logic Pro
SECURITY WARNING: Logic Pro version 9 and earlier are no longer supported. Upgrade to the Mac App Store version.
  • Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > click "Updates" > click the "Update" button to the right of the application that you wish to update (sign in, if necessary).
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (macOS 10.14 or later): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced… > and TICK "Automatically: Install app updates from the App Store" .
  • Turn on Automatic Updates (OS X 10.8 to macOS 10.13): Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > App Store > TICK "Automatically check for Updates" and TICK "Install app updates".
  • Manual updates cannot be downloaded for these applications.

Primary Apple Software List (for Windows users):

Safari
SECURITY WARNING: Safari is no longer supported on Windows computers. If you still use Safari you are strongly recommended to use an alternative web browser.
  • Check for an update now: Go to Start menu > Apple Software Update
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Start menu > Apple Software Update > then go to Edit menu > Preferences… > Schedule tab and choose your preferred recurrence timeframe.
  • Download updates manually from the Apple Safari download page.
iTunes
  • Check for an update now: Go to Start menu > Apple Software Update
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Open iTunes and go to Edit menu > Preferences… > General tab and tick "Check for new software updates automatically".
  • Download updates manually from the Apple iTunes download page.
QuickTime + QuickTime web browser plug-in
SECURITY WARNING: As of 14th April 2016 QuickTime is no longer supported on Windows computers and there are security risks with using it/having it installed. You are therefore recommended to unistall it.
  • Check for an update now: Go to Start menu > Apple Software Update
  • Turn on Automatic Updates: Open QuickTime Player and go to Edit menu > Preferences > QuickTime Preferences… > Update tab and tick "Check for updates automatically".
  • Download updates manually from the Apple QuickTime download page.
iCloud Control Panel

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This article is © MacStrategy » a trading name of Burning Helix. As an Amazon Associate, employees of MacStrategy's holding company (Burning Helix sro) may earn from qualifying purchases. Apple, the Apple logo, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

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