Summary
ET&S uses this notification window to ensure that Faculty and Staff Apple computers are kept up to date.
This only applies to Faculty and Staff Apple Macs, and does not occur on Macs in computer labs.
This is only configured for the current major MacOS versions
- ex. Ventura (13), Monterey (12), Big Sur (11)
MacOS Notification Window
Below is what the notification window looks like:
Notice on the left side of the notification window that it lists the Mac's current OS version, the version that the Mac is required to update to, the days remaining to update to the required version (days until the Required Install Date), and how many times the update has been deferred.
Updating
To update Macs users can either:
- Click the "Update Device" button in the notification window, which opens System Preferences to the Software Update page, then click the "Update Now" button.
- If updates were already installed users will see the "Restart Now" button instead.
- Open System Preferences, navigate to the Software Update page, and click the "Update Now" Button.
Note: Updates can take up to an hour to complete, please plan accordingly.
Deferring Updates
To defer updates click the I understand button on the bottom of the notification window to show the defer drop down menu:
Later
- Defers and closes the window until the next time it is configured to notify (more on that below).
One Hour
- Defers and closes the window for hour, after which the window will notify again.
One Day
- Defers and closes the window for 24 hours, after which the window will notify again.
MacOS Update Time Frames
Updates are configure on the 1st of every month, or the closest Monday after the 1st, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.
Mac users will have two weeks to update their Macs.
- This will always be updating to the most current updates according to Apple.
- There may not always be an update available for a given month on every version of MacOS.
- In these cases there is no updates for those MacOS versions.
- Macs on those MacOS versions will receive no notifications (unless they have yet to update to the current MacOS version)
Required Install Date
The Required Install Date is the date by which the update is required, and is the number that "Days Remaining To Update" is counting down to.
- "Days Remaining To Update" = Days until the Required Install Date.
The Required Install Date is always two weeks after the 1st of the Month (or two weeks after the first Monday of the month if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday).
MacOS Update Notification Frequency
How often does the window pops up depends on how many days are left in "Days Remaining To Update".
- 2 or more days remaining = 1 notification per day.
- 1 day remaining = 2 notifications per day.
- 0 days remaining (past the Required Install Date) = notifications every 3 hours.
Need additional help?
Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.
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