Check and Install macOS Updates with softwareupdate
Use the built-in softwareupdate CLI to list, download, and install Apple software updates without System Settings.
Run `softwareupdate -l` to list available updates, and `sudo softwareupdate -i -a` to install all of them.
01Command
Command
$ softwareupdate -l -i -a --list-full-installer-versions02What it does
softwareupdate talks directly to Apple's Software Update service, which makes it the standard way to patch Macs remotely over SSH or in scripts. `softwareupdate -l` prints each pending update with an identifier you can pass to `-i <name>` for selective installs. Adding `--restart` lets the machine reboot itself after critical patches, and `--list-full-installers` shows every macOS version you can download as a complete installer.
03Risk
!Warning: Installing an update that requires a restart will drop any SSH session once the reboot begins — schedule accordingly.
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- SoftwareUpdate Command: How to update software in macOSEvidence: Documents softwareupdate -l to list, -i -a to install all available updates, and related flags.
- Update macOS on Mac - Apple SupportEvidence: Apple's guide to updating macOS; the Software Update mechanism behind the CLI is documented here.
Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings