Learn · Mac
Turn on automatic updates on your Mac
5 min · essential
· HomeOS can check this for you
Why this matters. Apple fixes security problems in macOS updates, and some of those problems are already being used by attackers when the fix ships. Automatic updates close the gap without you having to remember. A separate switch installs small security fixes and data files between full updates.
1
Open Software Update
Click the Apple menu, then System Settings, then General, then Software Update. Install anything waiting.
System Settings › General › Software Update
Your Mac is up to date
Automatic updates
Click the ⓘ next to Automatic updates
2
Switch on every automatic option
Turn everything on, including the security switch. On macOS Tahoe 26 and later it's called 'Install system data files and security updates'; on older versions it's 'Install Security Responses and system files'.
Software Update › Automatic Updates
Download new updates when available
Install macOS updates
Install application updates from the App Store
Install system data files and security updates
Especially this one
Check your understanding
What does the 'security updates / system data files' switch do?
It lets Apple push small, urgent security fixes and protection data between full macOS updates.
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Checked against:
Apple: About background updates in macOS · Apple: Update macOS on Mac
· last reviewed 2026-09