macOS Updates and Upgrades

Audience: Faculty and Staff

Applies to: Colby-owned Mac computers

System Impact: High (Requires machine reboot)

 

Overview

To stay in alignment with Apple security releases, Colby ITS with the use of Jamf Pro will manage the deployment of macOS updates and upgrades for Colby-issued Apple computers.

Updates vs Upgrades

  • An update is a minor new release of the currently installed macOS or other software, such as an update from macOS Sequoia 15.1 to macOS Sequoia 15.4 or macOS Tahoe 26 to macOS Tahoe 26.4.

  • An upgrade is a major new release of macOS with a new name, such as an upgrade from macOS Ventura 13 to macOS Sonoma 14 or macOS Sequoia 15 to macOS Tahoe 26.

Instead of Colby ITS forcing a sudden, unannounced update or upgrade on your machine, your Mac is given a secure set of rules from Apple. Your Mac will monitor its own update status and prompt you to install updates so you can do it at a convenient time. However, to ensure critical security vulnerabilities are patched, all updates carry a strict 7-day compliance deadline from the time Apple releases updates.

The Update Time line: What to Expect

When Apple releases a critical security update or operating system patch, a 7-day countdown clock begins on your device.  Some updates and upgrades take more than 30 minutes to install and require your computer to fully reboot after installation.  Keep these factors in mind as you plan for initiating your updates and upgrades.

Phase 1 Time line: The Notification Window (Days 1–5)

  • What happens: Your Mac will detect the update and download it quietly in the background.

  • Notifications: You will receive gentle, non-intrusive system notifications in the top-right corner of your screen suggesting an update is available. (see example image below)
     

    Uploaded image
     

  • Action Required: None immediately. You can either close the notification or click it to open the Software Update pane to kick off the installation manually whenever it suits your academic, teaching, or work flow schedule.

Phase 2 Time line: The Urgent Window (Days 6-7)

  • What happens: As the 7-day deadline approaches, notifications will become more frequent and prominent.

  • Notifications: Visual reminders will appear on your desktop approximately every hour, reminding you of the specific date and time the hard deadline expires.

  • Action Required: We strongly recommend starting the update during a lunch break, before leaving your office or after finishing up your work at the end of the day during this phase to avoid interruption.

Phase 3 Time line: The Hard Deadline (Day 7)

  • What happens: On the 7th day, you will continue to get notification approximately every hour.  When the deadline is within an hour, notifications will appear approximately every ten minutes.  Once the 7-day timer expires and you have not updated, the Hard Deadline triggers immediately and macOS will begin the installation process.

  • Enforcement: There is no grace period or delay buffer once this time is reached. The Mac will automatically close all open applications and reboot to apply the update, regardless of current activity. Any unsaved work will be lost.  When this happens, it is important you don’t disrupt the update by closing the laptop lid, force shutting down, etc.  This will avoid macOS becoming corrupted and as a result becoming unstable or unusable.

Special Instruction

  • Password Prompts: When you click Update Now, from the notification window, macOS may prompt you for your password. This is expected so simply enter your standard macOS login password to proceed.

    Uploaded image

How to Manually Trigger Your Update Early (Recommended)

To avoid forced disruptions during the work week or during a class, ITS highly recommends triggering the update manually during a lunch break or at the end of a workday.

  1. Plug your Mac into a power source if on a laptop (updates may not install on battery power).

  2. Save and Quit all open documents and applications.

  3. Click the Apple Menu > System Settings

  4. Click General from the left sidebar.

  5. Click Software Update

    1. Note: if you are on an earlier version of macOS and there is another major version available, you will see buttons to Upgrade as opposed to Update (for more information between Updates and Upgrades, see Overview section above)

  6. Click Update Now or Upgrade Now and enter your local macOS computer password when prompted.

  7. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the process to complete. Your screen may go black or show a progress bar multiple times including rebooting several times. Do not close the laptop lid or unplug the power during this time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Why is it important to keep my computer up to date?

Outdated software is the primary target for cyber attacks. Updates do more than just add new features; they patch critical security vulnerabilities that hackers use to steal data, compromise passwords, or disrupt college operations. Additionally, staying up to date ensures your Mac remains fully compatible with Colby software, campus Wi-Fi networks, and other major software vendors commonly used.

I just updated my computer recently and now am getting another update prompt, what is happening?

Apple releases updates on an ongoing basis. This can happen for two reasons:

  1. Critical Zero-Day Patches: If a severe, unexpected security flaw is discovered, Apple will issue an immediate emergency fix—even if they just released a standard update the week or days before.

  2. Catching Up: If your computer was behind on multiple versions, it may install them sequentially. Your Mac will continue to prompt you until it reaches the latest, most secure operating system version approved by Colby.

Is there anything I need to do to receive the updates?

There is no manual setup required on your part. Your Mac is enrolled in Colby’s Jamf Pro management system, which automatically handles the background work. To ensure you receive updates seamlessly, simply keep your computer connected to the internet (on campus or at home) and plugged into a power source when not in use. The system will download the updates silently in the background and notify you when they are ready to install.

If I miss an update deadline because the computer was turned off, what will happen when I turn it on?

If your Mac was powered down or asleep when the 7-day deadline passed, the enforcement rule will trigger immediately upon boot-up.

  • You will receive an urgent on-screen notification stating that the update compliance deadline has passed.

  • Because there is no grace period, the system will immediately begin preparation and could force a restart to apply the patch.

  • To prevent this from disrupting your morning or a scheduled meeting, we highly recommend leaving your computer powered on and connected to power overnight when you see an update approaching its deadline or update it manually as instructed above

Can I opt out of or delay an update past the 7 days?

No. To maintain compliance with Colby security policies, all devices must be patched within the 7-day window.

Will this delete my files or applications?

No. This process installs security patches and operating system updates. Your saved local files, documents, and configured applications will remain completely untouched.

What happens if I am in the middle of a lecture, presentation, Zoom call, etc when the deadline hits?

Because there is no grace period, the machine will force a restart if the deadline has been reached, even if you are actively typing, presenting, or using the computer.  Again, ITS recommends you apply updates prior to the deadline to avoid this.

If I have any questions about Apple security updates or encounter any issues, what should I do?

If you experience any issues with updates, contact the ITS support center by phone 207-859-4222 (x4222 on campus), email support@colby.edu, or visit the Support Center on the first floor of Lovejoy

For more information about macOS updates feel free to visit Apple’s official article here

Print Article