Useful macOS defaults: Software Update

2016-12-12 17:00

com.apple.SoftwareUpdate controls how macOS checks for system updates.

Check for updates daily instead of weekly

macOS checks for updates about once a week by default. To check every day:

defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1

The number is in days. Set it to 7 to go back to weekly.

Turn on automatic update checks

defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled -bool true

Turn on automatic downloading of updates

defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -bool true

Updates will download in the background so they are ready to install when you choose.

Turn on automatic installation of macOS updates

defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticallyInstallMacOSUpdates -bool true

Install system data files and security updates automatically

These are small updates like XProtect malware definitions and security configuration changes:

defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CriticalUpdateInstall -bool true
defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ConfigDataInstall -bool true

These are on by default and you should leave them on.

Check current settings

defaults read com.apple.SoftwareUpdate

Or check the update schedule specifically:

defaults read com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency

Using softwareupdate from the command line

You can also check for and install updates from Terminal:

# List available updates
softwareupdate --list

# Install all available updates
sudo softwareupdate --install --all

# Install only recommended updates
sudo softwareupdate --install --recommended

Notes

These settings match what you see in System Settings, then General, then Software Update, then Automatic Updates. The defaults commands are useful for scripting or managing several Macs.

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