Forced macOS Version Updates (macOS 15 and later)
- Jim Zajkowski
- Steve Maser
ITS aims to have our managed systems running the latest versions of macOS within about two to three weeks from when they are released.
Starting with macOS 15, we will be using Apple’s built-in update deadline capabilities to update systems.
About a week before the update is required, users will start to see a notification like this:
And in System Preferences, Software Update will mention that this is a required update and the deadline it must be installed by.
Customers can install the update at any time before the deadline. Customers will be alerted to the approaching deadline every day, as well as three hours, one hour, thirty minutes, ten minutes, and one minute before the deadline.
When the deadline elapses the Mac will forcibly reboot and begin updating, and unsaved work may be lost.
If a customer’s laptop was asleep when the deadline expires, they will be given a brief extension before the system reboots and installs the update. This extension is only granted once.