If macOS Software Update is not showing an update you expect, check your internet connection, restart your Mac, confirm that your Mac supports the release, and open the correct Software Update settings. If the update still does not appear, remove a failed download, check available storage, and try Safe Mode or Terminal as a last resort.
Quick Answer
- Connect your Mac to a reliable internet network.
- Restart the Mac and open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any update that appears, then check again.
- Confirm your Mac is compatible with the macOS version you want.
- Make sure the Mac has enough free storage and is connected to power.
- If Software Update remains blank or says your Mac is up to date incorrectly, use the troubleshooting steps below.
An update may not appear because Apple releases updates in stages, your Mac is not eligible for that version, an administrator has restricted updates, or Software Update is temporarily stuck.
Why a macOS Update May Not Appear
Software Update does not display every macOS release on every Mac. Common reasons include:
- Your Mac model does not support the update.
- The update has not been offered to your Mac yet.
- The Mac is offline or connected through an unreliable network.
- A previous update download is incomplete or damaged.
- Your Mac has too little free storage.
- A work or school administrator controls software updates.
- The Software Update service or related background process is temporarily stuck.
- Your Mac is already running the newest version available for its hardware.
Before changing system files or using Terminal, complete the basic checks first. They are safer and often solve the problem.
Check Software Update in System Settings
The location of Software Update depends on your macOS interface.
On newer versions of macOS
- Select the Apple menu in the upper-left corner.
- Choose System Settings.
- Select General in the sidebar.
- Click Software Update.
- Wait while your Mac checks for updates.
Keep the Software Update window open for a minute or two if the result does not appear immediately. If an update is listed, select Update, Upgrade, or Restart Now, depending on what macOS displays.
On older versions of macOS
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences.
- Click Software Update.
- Wait for the check to finish.
If you recently changed Software Update settings, close System Settings or System Preferences, reopen it, and check again.
Perform the Basic Checks
Verify your internet connection
Software Update requires an internet connection to contact Apple’s update servers. Open Safari and visit a reliable website to confirm that the connection works.
If the connection is unstable:
- Select the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar.
- Turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again.
- Reconnect to your network.
- Try Software Update again.
If possible, test another network. A captive portal, VPN, firewall, content filter, or company network may prevent Software Update from reaching the required services. Temporarily disconnect from a VPN or security filter only if you control it and understand the effect.
Restart your Mac
A restart clears temporary processes that may prevent Software Update from refreshing.
- Save your work.
- Close open apps.
- Select the Apple menu.
- Choose Restart.
- After the Mac starts, open System Settings > General > Software Update again.
Do not force the Mac to shut down while an update is actively installing. If the screen shows an installation progress bar, allow the process to continue unless it has clearly stopped and you have followed Apple’s recovery guidance.
Connect your Mac to power
Connect a Mac laptop to its power adapter before checking for or installing an update. Low battery power can prevent an installation from starting, even when the update appears correctly.
Check the date and time
An incorrect date or time can interfere with secure connections to update servers.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Date & Time.
- Turn on Set time and date automatically if it is available.
- Confirm that the correct time zone is selected.
Check Software Update again after correcting the clock.
Confirm That Your Mac Supports the Update
Software Update generally shows only updates that are available for your Mac model. If you are looking for a major macOS upgrade, first confirm compatibility.
You can identify your Mac model by selecting Apple menu > About This Mac. Note the model name and year, if shown. Then compare it with Apple’s official compatibility information for the macOS release.
You can also review our guide on how to check Mac compatibility before installing a macOS update.
If your Mac is not supported, Software Update will not normally offer that major release. Security updates for the macOS version already installed may still appear separately.
Check Available Storage
A macOS update may fail to appear, begin downloading, or stop before installation when the startup disk is nearly full. You may need substantially more temporary space than the final installer size suggests.
To check storage:
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select General.
- Click Storage.
- Review the available space on the startup disk.
Remove unnecessary downloads, old installers, unused applications, or large media files. Empty the Trash afterward if you need the space immediately.
If storage is the likely cause, follow our guide to fix “Not Enough Space” when installing a macOS update.
Do not delete system folders or unknown files simply to create space. Removing the wrong data can make apps or macOS unstable.
Check for Restrictions or Managed Updates
A Mac owned by an employer, school, or organization may use device-management policies. These policies can delay, restrict, or control macOS updates.
Look for signs that the Mac is managed:
- A message says that settings are managed by an administrator.
- Software Update shows a deadline or organization-specific instruction.
- You cannot change automatic update settings.
- A work or school account, configuration profile, or management app is installed.
If the Mac is managed, contact the organization’s IT department. Do not remove management profiles or security software without permission. Doing so may violate policy or prevent access to work resources.
Refresh Software Update Without Deleting Personal Files
If the basic checks do not help, you can ask macOS to check for updates from Terminal. This does not erase personal files, but it can start a download or installation if an update is available. Save your work first.
- Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Enter the following command:
softwareupdate --list
- Press Return.
The command asks macOS to list available updates. If it reports an update, you can install a specific update by using the exact label shown in the results:
sudo softwareupdate --install "UPDATE-LABEL"
Replace UPDATE-LABEL with the label returned by softwareupdate --list. You will be asked for your administrator password. The password will not appear as you type it; press Return when finished.
To install all updates reported by the command, use:
sudo softwareupdate --install --all
This may close apps, restart the Mac, or begin an installation. Save documents and quit apps before running it. Do not interrupt the Mac during installation.
These commands change update status by checking for and optionally installing Apple software updates. There is no separate reversal command. If an update is installed, macOS does not provide a general built-in method to undo it; restore from a backup or reinstall the previous system only when appropriate.
Remove an Incomplete Update Download
A damaged or incomplete installer can interfere with a fresh update check. Before removing anything, confirm that no update is currently installing and save your work.
The safest approach is to use Apple’s built-in storage recommendations and remove an installer that you recognize. Check Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage for a macOS installer or update-related item.
You can also review our guide on how to remove a failed macOS update download.
Do not delete random files from /System, /Library, or other protected folders. If you are unsure which item is the failed installer, skip this step and continue with Safe Mode or Apple Support.
Try Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts macOS with only essential components and performs certain startup checks. It can help when third-party software, cached data, or login items interfere with Software Update.
The startup process differs between Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers.
Apple silicon Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select a startup volume.
- Hold the Shift key and select Continue in Safe Mode.
- Sign in.
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update and check again.
Intel-based Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in if requested.
- Open Software Update and check for the update.
Safe Mode may make the Mac appear slower or change the screen resolution temporarily. Restart normally afterward by choosing Apple menu > Restart.
If the update appears only in Safe Mode, a login item, security utility, VPN, or other third-party software may be interfering. Review recently installed software and login items, but avoid removing security tools without understanding their purpose.
Check Automatic Update Settings
Automatic update settings do not control whether every major macOS release appears, but they can affect background downloads and installation behavior.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select General.
- Click Software Update.
- Select the Info button next to Automatic Updates, if shown.
- Review the available options.
You may see settings for checking for updates, downloading new updates when available, installing macOS updates, installing security responses, and installing app updates from the App Store.
Turn on the relevant options, then close and reopen Software Update. If a setting is unavailable or locked, the Mac may be managed by an administrator.
Troubleshooting
Software Update says the Mac is up to date, but you expect a newer major release
Confirm that the Mac supports the release and that you are looking for a major upgrade rather than a smaller update. Apple may also offer different releases depending on the Mac model and the version currently installed.
Install any pending update shown first, restart the Mac, and check again.
The update appears on another Mac but not yours
The Macs may have different model years, hardware, macOS versions, settings, or management policies. Compare the exact model information and installed macOS version rather than relying only on the computer’s general product name.
Software Update keeps spinning or never finishes checking
Restart the Mac, test another network, disconnect a VPN, and try Safe Mode. If Terminal also cannot list updates, the issue may involve networking, system software, or Apple’s update service rather than the graphical interface.
An update appeared and then disappeared
The update may have been withdrawn, replaced by a newer package, or temporarily unavailable. Restart and check again later. Do not repeatedly delete system files or run unofficial “update fixer” utilities.
The update downloads but will not install
Check storage, connect the Mac to power, disconnect unnecessary peripherals, and restart before trying again. If the installation is stuck on a preparation stage, see our guide on how to fix a macOS update stuck on Preparing.
Nothing works
Back up important files before more advanced troubleshooting. Then contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider with the Mac model, installed macOS version, exact message shown, and steps you already tried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Software Update not showing an update?
The Mac may not support that release, the update may not yet be available for your model, or Software Update may be affected by a network problem, incomplete download, low storage, or administrator restriction.
How do I force my Mac to check for updates?
Open System Settings > General > Software Update and wait for the check to finish. You can also run softwareupdate --list in Terminal to request a list of available updates.
Can I update macOS if Software Update shows nothing?
Only if an update is available for your Mac. You can use Apple’s official installer for a compatible release, but do not install software from unofficial download sites or attempt to bypass compatibility checks without understanding the risks.
Will restarting erase my files?
A normal restart does not erase personal files. Save open documents first because unsaved changes may be lost if an app closes unexpectedly.
Why does my Mac say it is up to date when it is not?
You may be comparing your Mac with a release that does not support its model, or your Mac may need to install an intermediate update first. A managed Mac may also be restricted from installing a particular release.
Final Thoughts
Start with the safe fixes: verify the network, restart the Mac, connect it to power, check compatibility and storage, and review Software Update settings. If the update still does not appear, try softwareupdate --list, Safe Mode, and a check for managed-device restrictions. Back up important files before advanced troubleshooting or any installation that may restart the Mac.