Required macOS Update

How to install required macOS updates when prompted

Frequently Asked Questions

A pop up window saying that my computer requires one or more security updates has appeared. Why am I seeing this?

Each month Apple releases security updates for the currently supported major versions of macOS. These include security patches against known vulnerabilities that have been discovered. To protect UT computers we're required to install these updates. If a UT computer falls too far out of date, the Information Security Office may consider it a risk to campus and block it from accessing campus networks. To prevent this we use an app called Nudge that periodically pops up a reminder window, letting you know that an update is available, and how long you have to install it. You can defer these update reminders temporarily, but eventually the deadline will be reached and the update reminder window will become persistent.

I've clicked the Update Now button and more windows opened. What should I do?

Once you click Update Now, the Nudge app will open System Settings to the Software update section. The required update may be in the Other Updates Available section. If so you'll be instructed to click More Info to load the update. Click OK to close the informational window, then look for the Other Updates Available section and click More Info

More Info will load the required update. Click install Now to begin.

When prompted enter your user password.

Your computer will restart then restart and install the update.

I got a message saying that upgrades should only be done by IT staff? How can I complete the required update?

If you got this message while trying to perform a required update, you may have clicked on the option to perform a major upgrade by mistake. Required updates include things like going from macOS 13.5 to 13.6, while a major upgrade would be going from macOS 13 Ventura to macOS 14 Sonoma. Upgrades to the next major named version of macOS are not required and as they can result in software incompatibility, they should only be done by IT staff. To perform the required update instead, go to System Settings, General, Software Updates, look for the Other Updates Available section, and click More info to load the required update.