Introduction to 'softwareupdate' Command on Mac

The softwareupdate command on Mac is a powerful tool for managing software updates on your computer. It can be used to check for and install system updates, as well as updates to any installed Apple apps.

If you are a developer or a system administrator, you can use this command to automate the update process on multiple Mac computers.

Syntax

The syntax for using the softwareupdate command is as follows:

softwareupdate [options] [args]

Options can be used to modify the behavior of the command, and args specify the updates to be installed.

Options

The following options are available for the softwareupdate command:

• -h: Displays help information for the command.
• -l: Lists all available updates.
• -i: Installs one or more updates.
• -a: Installs all available updates.
• -v: Enables verbose mode, which provides more detailed output.
• -d: Enables debug mode, which provides even more detailed output.

Examples

Here are some examples of how to use the softwareupdate command:

• To check for available updates:

softwareupdate -l

• To install a specific update:

softwareupdate -i "Security Update 2021-001"

• To install all available updates:

softwareupdate -a

Conclusion

In conclusion, the softwareupdate command on Mac is a versatile tool that can save time and effort when managing software updates. It can be used to automate the update process and keep your Mac computer up-to-date with the latest software versions.