Install macOS Updates

To protect campus systems, ITS restricts network access for all university computers running macOS that have reached End-of-Support by Apple.
To learn more about macOS End-of-Support, please visit the Apple Support page …

Problem

"I need to update the macOS operating system on my Cal Poly computer."

Solution

Prepare for the update:

It typically takes a couple of hours to complete
Plug your laptop into power and,
Connect to the wifi/internet ON CAMPUS

Ensure that your data is secure with cloud storage:

Please confirm that your files are synced with OneDrive before you begin the macOS update. For more information, see this OneDrive article.

Updates are categorized as either Major or Minor.

A Major update would be to go from macOS 14 to 15.
A Minor update is going from macOS 15.7.1 to 15.7.2.

macOS will prompt to install available updates every 30 minutes. The update prompt can be deferred for 30 minutes (Later), 1 hour, 1 day, or a custom amount of time. As the enforcement date approaches, the prompt will become more aggressive. It is imperative that macOS is updated before the enforcement date to ensure the security of the device.

To Complete a Major macOS Update

macOS updates can be installed at a more convenient time by following the directions below.

Open the Self Service application from your Dock or the Applications folder.
Under the Featured Content section. locate macOS Software Update.
If a major update is available, you will see an icon for the latest macOS installer.
Click the macOS icon to run the update.
Your system will restart to complete the installation

Click the Update button.
1. The update can be deferred by clicking on the Defer drop-down and selecting a more convenient time.
Click the Update button.

To Complete a Minor macOS Update

macOS updates can be installed at a more convenient time by following the directions below.

Click on the Apple in the top left corner and select System Settings.
Click General (it should default to that tab) on the left
navigation menu, then click the Software Update icon.
Click the Check for Update button.
Click the Restart Now button.

Click the Update button.
1. The update can be deferred by clicking on the Defer drop-down and selecting a more convenient time.
Click the Update or Restart Now button.