How to Update your Mac using Terminal

In this post, we’ll using the Terminal to update a Mac and can dump the traditional way of updating macOS. Moreover, if you are using an older Mac device, you can download updates quickly, this process update macOS in the background. In simple words, this means you can continue using the Mac when the updates are installed. This makes updating Mac via Terminal a great idea.

How to update macOS via the Command Line

Note Note: The update process only helps update iTunes, printer driver, Photos, and other Apple systems apps. You cannot update apps that don’t come pre-installed.

Note Note: Keep administrator password handy as you will need it to download and install updates.

1. Type Terminal in Spotlight or open Finder and head to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

2. Type the following command to get the list of available updates for this Mac.

softwareupdate -l

Wait for it to search for available updates present in Apple’s servers. If no updates are available, you will get a message No updates available. However, if updates are available. The Terminal will show a list of updates with the file size.

flame:~ bonben$ softwareupdate -l
Software Update Tool

Finding available software
Software Update found the following new or updated software:
   * iTunes Device Support Update- 
	iTunes Device Support Update ( ), 105805K [recommended] [restart]
   * macOS 10.14.6 Update- 
	macOS 10.14.6 Update ( ), 2545010K [recommended] [restart]
   * macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-005-10.14.6
	macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-005 (10.14.6), 1735906K [recommended] [restart]
   * Safari14.1.2MojaveAuto-14.1.2
	Safari (14.1.2), 93397K [recommended]

3. You can install the updates one by one or install all updates at once.

###Install a specific update
sudo softwareupdate -i "iTunes Device Support Update"

###Install all available updates at once
sudo softwareupdate -i -a

Note Note: -a command gives instructions to the Terminal to install updates. Since both the commands are sudo, entering the administrator password when asked for is a must.

If restarting the Mac is required to install updates, Terminal will show a message.

flame:~ bonben$ softwareupdate -i -a
Software Update Tool

Finding available software

Downloaded iTunes Device Support Update
Downloaded macOS 10.14.6 Update
Installing iTunes Device Support Update, macOS 10.14.6 Update
Done with iTunes Device Support Update
Done.

You have installed one or more updates that requires that you restart your computer.
Please restart immediately.
To automate the restart process with softwareupdate(8), use --restart.

Or you can run the below command to allow Terminal to restart Mac automatically when finishing update.