Selectively Installing Apple Software Updates (Mac)

This article will show users how to delay a macOS upgrade (e.g., macOS Big Sur) but still install other available Apple software updates.

Sometimes when Managed Software Center (or Apple's built-in Software Update) checks for updates you may notice that there is a macOS upgrade available (e.g., macOS Big Sur) but you are not ready or willing to upgrade yet.

You do, however, want to make sure that other important Apple updates, such as security updates, get installed. This can be confusing if you aren't looking for them, because Apple sort of  "hides" or downplays additional updates where there is a macOS upgrade available in the Software Update preference panel.

Read on to see how you can still install any pending Apple updates without making the jump to a major macOS upgrade.


How to Only Install Specific Apple Software Updates


1) If you have not already been redirected there by Managed Software Center, go to the  (Apple) menu and choose “System Preferences...” and then go to the “Software Update” preference panel as usual.



2) Click the small light blue link labeled “More info…”

    Select "More info..."



3) Uncheck any software updates you do not want to install yet, then click on “Install Now” to install only the checked software updates.
    NOTE:  In our example, there was only the "Security Update 2020-007" available.

    Select the updates you wish to install



4) Let Software Update install the updates to the Mac as usual

    Installing Update...



Keywords:security, mac, macos, selective, selectively, update, big sur, catalina   Doc ID:108169
Owner:David P.Group:WCER Technical Services
Created:2021-01-06 10:27 CDTUpdated:2021-02-19 11:25 CDT
Sites:WCER Technical Services
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