Is it possible to download macOS updates to install later?

Question

Level 7

22,139 points

Is it possible to download macOS updates to install later?

That's it . . . I want to simply download the update file to keep and use later. I don't want it to install until I am ready.

Can it be done and if so, how do I do it?

Mac mini, macOS 14.6

Posted on Oct 20, 2024 5:59 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 20, 2024 7:16 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Click the Information icon ⓘ to the right of Automatic updates.

Switch ON 'Check for updates'.

Switch ON 'Download new updates when available'.

Switch OFF 'Install macOS updates'.

Click 'Done' and then exit.

Your computer will download macOS updates but will not install them until you tell it to by selecting the update from the list of available updates that it presents later.

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Answer 2

lanstrad1

Level 2

414 points

Oct 20, 2024 7:16 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

You absolutely don’t need to let macOS updates or upgrades install automatically. I believe there is an option to download only.

You can opt NOT TO install updates automatically. (And in the case you do so, for instance new macOS versions, why would you download if the idea is to wait and see ? That downloaded version may just take space for no reason and the update you will finally install might be different.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

81,694 points

Oct 20, 2024 7:38 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Yes you can.

However, keep in mind that the update could quickly go stale the way Apple releases updates.

Plus you may continually be hounded by a pop-up wanting to install the update on your system.

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Answer 4

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

22,139 points

Oct 20, 2024 10:56 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I actually did what was suggested before posting my question and the download went ahead. After it had supposedly downloaded I got a message saying "Processing . . . 20 minutes". Some time later the progress bar was in exactly the same place as though it was stuck.

So I eventually aborted it.

However, the wording did give me the impression that it was going to automatically install if it hadn't stuck. I could be wrong. I may give it another go tomorrow.

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