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Check and Install App Store Updates with mas

mas is the Mac App Store CLI: mas outdated lists pending updates, mas upgrade installs them — scriptable where the App Store app is not.

macOSupdatesmasapp storeLow risk
Run `mas outdated` to list pending App Store updates and `mas upgrade` (or `mas upgrade <app-id>`) to install them.

01Command

Command
$ mas outdated && mas upgrade

02What it does

The App Store app has no command-line interface, which makes unattended Mac setup painful; mas fills that gap with list (installed apps and IDs), outdated, and upgrade. Install it with `brew install mas`, and note you must be signed into the App Store for purchases to appear. mas can also install apps directly by numeric ID: `mas install 497799835`.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementsmas (brew install mas)
!Warning: mas only manages apps tied to the signed-in Apple Account — Enterprise/VPP distribution may not appear.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • mas-cli/mas README
    mas-cli (GitHub) · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents mas list, mas outdated, mas upgrade and installation via Homebrew; notes App Store account sign-in requirement.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Developer