How to Update Apps on macOS: 7 Quick and Easy Ways

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Hashir Ibrahim

Last updated: July 27, 2024

Expert verified

Keeping your Mac apps up to date is key to getting the most out of your device. But updating apps one by one can be a total drag. So, to make the process a little less boring, I’ll show you some quick and easy ways to update apps on macOS and stay on top of the latest features and fixes.

How to Check for Mac App Updates Using the App Store

Before you update apps on macOS, you must know if any updates are available. Follow these steps to check app updates in the App Store:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select App Store.

2. Click the Updates tab in the App Store window.

3. You will see a list of apps with available updates.

Now that you know how to check available updates on the App Store, let’s update apps on macOS.

7 Quick Ways to Update Apps on macOS

Below, I’ll introduce you to not one or two but 7 quick ways to update apps on macOS. Whether you prefer to use the App Store, third-party software, or other lesser-known alternatives, you’ll find the steps below.

1. Keep Your Mac Apps Up to Date With MacKeeper

MacKeeper is your one-click solution to update your Mac apps. Its Update Tracker feature is a super convenient and secure way to manage and update your Mac applications.

Here’s how to use Update Tracker to update apps on macOS:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. Launch MacKeeper and click the Update Tracker tab in the left sidebar.

3. Click Scan for Updates.

4. MacKeeper will scan your Mac for outdated apps and display a list.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.

5. Click Update All.

6. Wait for the updates to complete. This can take a while, depending on the number and size of updates.

7. You’ll get an Update Completed notification. Click Rescan if you want to update more apps. 

2. Enable Automatic Updates  on Mac

If you’re as forgetful as I am, remembering to check for updates and installing them can be a hassle. For people like us, there is a convenient way to update apps on macOS: enable automatic updates on your Mac.

Here are the steps to enable automatic updates on Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

2. Click General and select Software Update.

3. Click the small i icon next to Automatic updates.

4. A new window will appear. Here, toggle on the Install application updates from the App Store switch.

5. You can also enable the automatic installation of macOS updates, system files, and Security Responses updates. Once you have made your selections, click Done.

6. Enter your Mac password to confirm.
7. Now, your Mac will automatically check for and install updates in the background without any additional steps.

3. Manually Update Apps from the Mac App Store

If your automatic app updates are taking longer than you’d like, consider manually updating them through the App Store. This approach puts you in control, allowing you to choose when to download the latest features and security updates.

Here’s how to update apps on macOS via the App Store:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select App Store.

2. Click the Updates tab in the App Store window.

3. If updates are available, you will see a list of apps that can be updated.

4. Click the Update button next to each app that has an update available.

5. And just like that, you’ve updated an app on your Mac.
6. Now, follow the same steps for all apps.

4. Update Apps Downloaded From the Web

Did you know there’s a whole world of apps beyond the Mac App Store? You can download apps directly from your browser. But here’s the catch, if you download an app from the web, you won’t see any updates for it in the App Store. Keeping these non-App Store apps updated is still straightforward, though.

Here’s how you can manage updates for apps you’ve downloaded from the web:

1. Open the app you want to update.
2. Click the app’s name in the menu bar, and select Check for Updates.
3. If an update is available, click to install it.
4. If encountering difficulty updating an application, access its About section and note its current version number. Check the developer’s website for any available updates and compare them to the current version. If you find a newer version, uninstall the current app from your Mac and install the updated version.

5. Use the In-App Update Option

Apple’s App Store makes it easy to update your apps, but some apps also have their own in-app update option. This makes updating them easier and faster than ever. Here’s how to use the in-app update option to update apps on macOS:

1. Open Firefox on your Mac.
2. Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. In the General tab, scroll down to the Firefox Updates section. Click the Restart to Update Firefox button if an update is available.

4. After the restart, your Firefox will be updated with the latest features and bug fixes.
5. You can also check the Automatically install updates (recommended) option to allow Firefox to install updates in the background.

6. Update Stock Apps With macOS Update

Some of your most-used apps, like Calendar, Music, and Notes, cannot be updated via the App Store. Instead, they update automatically when you update your macOS.

Here are the steps to update your Stock Apps with a macOS update:

1. Make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet.
2. Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

3. Click General and select Software Update to open the updates menu.

4. Your Mac will check for updates automatically. If your Mac is up-to-date, it will show your current macOS version. But if an update is available, click the Update Now button to download and install it.

5. Wait for the update to finish downloading and installing. Once the update is installed, your Stock Apps will also be updated to their latest versions.

7. Use Terminal Commands to Update Apps

Using Terminal commands might seem a bit intimidating at first, but it’s a handy tool that can streamline your update process, especially when you have numerous apps to manage.

Here’s how to use Terminal commands for updating apps on macOS:

1. Launch the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

softwareupdate -i

3. This will activate the Software Update Tool.

4. Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo softwareupdate -ia --verbose

5. Type your Mac’s password and press Enter.

6. You’ll get a Finding available software notification. Wait while the Terminal searches the macOS servers for available updates.

7. 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.

What If the Mac App Store Cannot Update Apps

If you’re having trouble updating an app on your Mac and getting the Cannot Update App error, here’s how to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. 🛜 Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet. Sometimes, connectivity issues can prevent apps from updating.
2. 🔛 Restart Your Mac: A simple restart can often resolve many issues, including problems with app updates.
3. 🔍 Check for macOS Updates: Make sure your Mac is running the latest macOS version. Sometimes, app updates require the latest version of the operating system.
4. 📱 Check the App’s Compatibility: Some apps may not be compatible with your macOS version, which can prevent them from updating. Check the app’s requirements on the App Store or the developer’s website.
5. 🔑 Sign Out and Sign In to the App Store:
   • Open the App Store.
   • From the menu bar at the top of your screen, choose Store > Sign Out.
   • Sign back in with your Apple ID and try updating the app again.

6. 💾 Free Up Storage Space: Lack of storage space can prevent apps from updating. Check your Mac’s storage and free up space if necessary.
7. 📞 Contact Apple Support or the App Developer: If none of the above solutions work, contact Apple Support or the app developer for further assistance.

Always Keep Your Mac Apps Up to Date

Apps crashing and Mac freezing are common when your apps or macOS are outdated. You’ll encounter 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 if something goes wrong during the update.
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions