Commands · Command
CommandmacOS
softwareupdate
softwareupdate [options]macOS's command-line tool for checking, downloading, and installing Apple system software updates — the CLI equivalent of the Software Update pane in System Settings.
// FLAGS
-l / --listcheck for and list available updates without installing anything-i / --installinstall a specific update by name-ia / --install --allinstall every available update--restartautomatically restart afterward if the update requires it// EXAMPLE
softwareupdate -l — checks Apple's servers and lists any available updates without installing them.
// GOTCHA
Major macOS version upgrades (moving to a new named OS release) generally aren't offered or installable through softwareupdate the same way routine minor updates are — those typically still require the full installer app from the App Store.
// RELATED COMMANDS