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Is your Mac up to date with the latest version of the Mac operating system (macOS or OS X)? Is it using the version required by some other product that you want to use with your Mac? Which versions are earlier (older) or later (newer, more recent)? To find out, learn which version is installed now.
If your macOS isn't up to date, you may be able to update to a later version.
Make sure Automatically keep my Mac up to date is checked. Select the Apple Menu, then App Store. Select the App Store menu, then Preferences. Make sure Automatic Updates is checked. MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates. I just activated the download of the latest Apple software update for my MacBook Pro, and it has been stalled for well over an hour, at about two-thirds of the way across the indicator bar. Update macOS to the newest version in 2019.
Which macOS version is installed?
From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You should see the macOS name, such as macOS Mojave, followed by its version number. If you need to know the build number as well, click the version number to see it.
This example shows macOS Catalina version 10.15 build 19A583.
Which macOS version is the latest?
These are all Mac operating systems, starting with the most recent. When a major new macOS is released, it gets a new name, such as macOS Catalina. As updates that change the macOS version number become available, this article is updated to show the latest version of that macOS.
If your Mac is using an earlier version of any Mac operating system, you should install the latest Apple software updates, which can include important security updates and updates for the apps that are installed by macOS, such as Safari, Books, Messages, Mail, Music, Calendar, and Photos. Free nvr software for mac.
macOS | Latest version |
---|---|
macOS Catalina | 10.15.7 |
macOS Mojave | 10.14.6 |
macOS High Sierra | 10.13.6 |
macOS Sierra | 10.12.6 |
OS X El Capitan | 10.11.6 |
OS X Yosemite | 10.10.5 |
OS X Mavericks | 10.9.5 |
OS X Mountain Lion | 10.8.5 |
OS X Lion | 10.7.5 |
Mac OS X Snow Leopard | 10.6.8 |
Mac OS X Leopard | 10.5.8 |
Mac OS X Tiger | 10.4.11 |
Mac OS X Panther | 10.3.9 |
Mac OS X Jaguar | 10.2.8 |
Mac OS X Puma | 10.1.5 |
Mac OS X Cheetah | 10.0.4 |
Oh the dreaded Mac error message that singlehandedly made me despise Apple: A Critical Software Update Is Required for Your Mac, but an Error Was Encountered While Installing This Update. It took me years to switch over from Windows to Apple, but that was all crushed when I got this error message on my 7 month old MacBook Pro when traveling abroad in Peru.
A Critical Software Update is Required for Your Mac
Here’s the situation: when you turn on your MacBook, even before it gets to your desktop, you’ll get the following message.
A critical software update is required for your Mac. To install this update you need to connect to a network. Select a Wi-Fi network below, or click Other Network Options to connect to the Internet using other network devices.
No big deal, you think. Let’s just hop onto a Wi-Fi network and install the update. But after doing so, you get another puzzling error message.
A critical software update is required for your Mac, but an error was encountered while installing this update.
At this point, there are only two options:
- Shut Down
- Try Again
Well, we don’t want to Shut Down, so I guess let’s Try Again. A minute or so later, the same error message pops up. Try Again again? Same thing. It’s official, your MacBook Pro is stuck in an infinite update loop.
Steps to Try and Fix It
My research tells me that sometimes this issue can be resolved by reinstalling macOS in recovery mode, but that was unfortunately not the case for me. Ultimately, I had to take my MacBook Pro to an Apple store and have the Logic Board replaced, but we’ll get into that later.
Here are some troubleshooting steps I took to try and fix the critical software update issue. Although none of these worked for me, they might work for you if your issue is slightly different than mine.
- Connect to another Wi-Fi network and try again
- Connect to the internet via ethernet in Other Network Options and try again
- Boot into Safe Mode and check for updates: reboot and hold Shift
- Reset NVRAM on your Mac
- Reinstall macOS via Recovery Mode: reboot and hold Command + R
- Reinstall macOS via Internet Recover Mode: reboot and hold Command + Option + R
- Last resort: wipe disk with Disk Utility and reinstall macOS
Like I said, none of these solutions worked for me, but your mileage may vary.
The Only Solution That Worked for Me
Unfortunately, I got the “critical software update is required for your mac” when I was traveling outside of the US in South America where there are no Apple Stores. I spent a good five hours on the phone with Apple in the US trying to find a solution, but was unsuccessful. I had to lug around my useless MacBook Pro for three more weeks before I could take it to an Apple store in the United States.
At the Apple Store in the US, they ran some basic diagnostic tests. After an hour, I was told they needed to keep my laptop for further extensive diagnostics that would take three days alone. My frustration must’ve been evident, because the guy helping me at the Genius Bar went back to the “lead genius” for advice. Ultimately, they decided to skip the extensive diagnostics, figuring it was a hardware issue, and sent my MacBook Pro directly to an Apple service center to be repaired. They estimated 11 days before I’d have my MacBook Pro fixed and shipped to my home address.
To my delight, my fixed MacBook Pro arrived to my house via FedEx just three days later. As you can see by the AppleCare Service Product Service Summary above, they had to replace the Logic Board. Thank goodness that my MacBook was still under warranty because otherwise I would have had to pay hundreds of dollars to have it fixed.
Misleading Error Message
Talk about a misleading error message. Was there really a critical software update? Perhaps there was. 3d structure software. In any case, there was a major hardware issue. Major enough that the entire motherboard needed to be replaced.
How Do I Update My Macbook Pro Software Download
Replacing a motherboard, which is essentially the brains, heart, and nervous system of the computer, is a major surgery. In my opinion, I got a brand new computer, just in the same shell as before. However, the AppleCare repair summary did say that the logic board might be refurbished.
In any case, I hope that you never run into the Critical Software Update issue on you MacBook Pro. The fact that you’re here tells me that you may be having this issue. Assuming you’re in the US, my recommendation is to make an appointment with your nearest Apple store to have it fixed.
![Pro Pro](https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/itunes/macos-mojave-itunes-12-9-file-sharing-apps-documents.jpg)
Macbook Pro System Update
If you do in fact have this issue, please share your experience in the comments below. I’d love to know if you were able to fix it without going to the Apple store.