When to Use?
To learn about when and how updates are applied to GVSU-managed Mac computers.
Procedure
GVSU-managed Macs in the office domain follow a general, yet variable update schedule. Apple releases updates approximately once a month and full operating system versions annually. The goal of our update schedule is to have updates pushed to managed Mac devices within two weeks of Apple's release of the update. The update process is as follows:
1. Apple will release a full software update patch or a beta version.
2. Our Mac admin will test the software for a week to determine if the patch is stable enough to deploy to our Mac computers.
3. The Mac admin pushes an MDM (mobile device management) command to all GVSU-managed Macs compatible with the update.
4. Community members will receive the following notification letting them know an update is available for their Mac.
Note: You will have the following install options available in a dropdown menu that appears when you hover your mouse cursor over the notification:
Note: If you choose the Install Tonight option, or take no action, the update will install later that night. If your computer is turned off, disconnected from Wi-Fi, or otherwise unable to receive the update, once you reconnect to a network and the update downloads, you will receive this pop-up notification:
Annual Mac Operating System Versions
As stated above, Apple releases a full OS (operating system) version annually; most often, the update is released in the fall. GVSU supports the most current OS and the two versions preceding the current one. OS versions are tested while they are still in their beta release form. Updates will still push via MDM command, but community members will have the option to defer or hide the update until they are ready to upgrade. Community members receive a notification the following spring that will urge users to update to the most recent OS version. The two preceding OS versions will continue to receive updates during this time.
Mac Software Update Schedule
Software (apps) such as Adobe Reader, Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, and Firefox are updated by IT each month. If a security risk is found, IT will release updates sooner to keep your Mac safe. For a more in-depth software update schedule, please review this knowledge document: Mac App Updates.