Updating macOS after Nudge prompts

Owned by Craig Moscicki
Last updated: Aug 28, 2024 by Tamara Phillips
3 min read

CIT deploys an app to campus-owned macOS computers called Nudge, which is designed to remind users to install critical macOS security patches in a timely manner. This article explains what a Nudge prompt looks like, how to determine if you need an update or an upgrade, and how to go about installing your required version.

Do I need an OS update or upgrade?

More importantly, what’s the difference between those two terms?

  • An update is a new minor-version release of your current major macOS version (i.e. current OS version is 13.6, required OS version is 13.6.1). Apple typically releases new updates roughly every month, though sometimes sooner if urgent security patches are needed.

  • An upgrade is installing a newer major macOS version (i.e. current OS version is 11.7.10, required OS version is 13.6.1). Apple releases a new major macOS version once per year, typically in September or October, but usually releases security patches for its three most recent major macOS versions.

  • In the screenshots below, the computer on the left needs an update, while the computer on the right needs an upgrade.