Updating macOS

Tip

Initial setup: 1. Updating macOS • 2. Determining your shell • 3. Installing the Xcode CLI Tools • 4. Installing Homebrew

macOS is the name of the operating system which runs on Mac computers. Before it was called macOS, it was called OS X (2011–2016), and before that, it was called Mac OS X (2000–2011).

The current release is macOS 15 “Sequoia”.

Checking your macOS version

1. Open your terminal by searching for it in Spotlight.

   

2. Run the sw_vers command.

   $ sw_vers
   ProductName:		macOS
   ProductVersion:		15.2
   BuildVersion:		24C5057p

   This is the output of my command; yours may be different. If there is a letter at the end of BuildVersion, it means you're running a Developer Beta or Public Beta.

3. Alternatively, you can use the user interface.

   1. In the upper left-hand corner is the Apple menu ().

   2.  → About This Mac

      

Installing updates

1. Open your terminal by searching for it in Spotlight.

   

2. Run the softwareupdate command to see if there are any macOS updates to install.

   $ softwareupdate -l -i -a
   Software Update Tool
   
   Finding available software
   No updates are available.

3. Alternatively, you can use the user interface.

   1. In the upper left-hand corner is the Apple menu ().
   2.  → System Settings…
   3. Once System Settings is open, navigate to General → Software Update.
   4. Install the updates which are available.