TL;DR
To update apps on macOS:
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Click the i next to Automatic updates and turn on App Store updates.
- Click Done and enter your password.
Your Mac will now automatically install updates in the background.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
With so much going on, updating Mac apps often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. Now, I am going to share quick tricks that can help you keep your apps updated without disrupting your routine.
6 Quick Ways to Update Apps on macOS
Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.
Below, I’ll introduce you to 6 quick ways to update apps on macOS:
1. Enable Automatic Updates on Mac
Automatically update your apps in the background by enabling the macOS automatic update feature. Here are the steps to enable automatic updates on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click General and select Software Update.
- Click the small i icon next to Automatic updates.
- A new window will appear. Here, toggle on the Install application updates from the App Store switch.
- You can also enable the automatic installation of macOS updates, system files, and Security Responses updates. Once you have made your selections, click Done.
- Enter your Mac password to confirm.
- Now, your Mac will automatically check for and install updates in the background without any additional steps.
2. Update With Third-Party App
Use third-party apps to easily update your Mac applications, and for a one-click solution, try MacKeeper’s Update Tracker feature. Here’s how to use Update Tracker to update apps on macOS:
- Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
- Launch MacKeeper and click the Update Tracker tab in the left sidebar.
- Click Scan for Updates.
- MacKeeper will scan your Mac for outdated apps and display a list. To select an app, check the little box next to it or click Check All to select all apps.
- Click Update All.
- Wait for the updates to complete. Depending on the number and size of the updates, this can take a while.
- You’ll get an Update Completed notification. Click Rescan if you want to update more apps.
3. Manually Update Apps from the App Store
Manually check and update apps through the App Store, putting you in control of when updates happen. Here’s how to update apps on macOS via the App Store:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select App Store.
- Click the Updates tab in the App Store window.
- If updates are available, you will see a list of apps that can be updated.
- Click the Update button next to each app that has an update available.
- And just like that, you’ve updated an app on your Mac.
- Now, follow the same steps for all apps.
4. Use the In-App Update Option
Many apps, like Firefox, offer built-in options for updating directly from the app itself. Here’s how to use the in-app update option:
All apps don’t offer the in-app update option. I have used Firefox as an example.
- Open Firefox on your Mac.
- Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu.
- In the General tab, scroll down to the Firefox Updates section. Click the Restart to Update Firefox button if an update is available.
- After the restart, your Firefox will be updated with the latest features and bug fixes.
- You can also check the Automatically install updates (recommended) option to allow Firefox to install updates in the background.
5. Update Apps Downloaded From the Web
For apps downloaded outside the App Store, manually check for and install updates through the app or developer’s website. Here is how you can do it:
- Open the app you want to update.
- Click the app’s name in the menu bar, and select Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, click to install it.
- If encountering difficulty updating an application, access its About section and note its current version number.
6. Use Terminal Commands to Update Apps
Advanced users can use Terminal commands to manage and update apps through the command line quickly. Here’s how to update apps on macOS:
- Launch the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
softwareupdate -i
- This will activate the Software Update Tool.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo softwareupdate -ia --verbose
- Type your Mac’s password and press Enter.
Remember, the password won’t show in the Terminal window.
- You’ll get a Finding available software notification. Wait while the Terminal searches the macOS servers for available updates.
- If updates are available, you’ll get a list of available updates. But if no updates are available, you’ll get a No updates are available message and return to the command prompt.
Always Keep Your Mac Apps Up to Date
Apps crashing and Mac freezing are common when your apps or macOS are outdated. You’ll face fewer issues if your Mac is up-to-date. Here are some tips to keep in mind when updating your apps on macOS:
- Back up your Mac data before updating apps to save all necessary information.
- Delete temp files on your Mac to have enough space for downloading app updates.
- Uninstall the apps on your Mac that you no longer use to make up space for newer apps.