Apple Device Management - Application Updates

Overview

The Unified Apple Device Management team provides a tool that automatically updates the applications and OS installed on your TAMU-managed macOS device. The tool allows updates to be deferred to a time that will least impact your work.

Automated Application Updates

The Application Update Tool checks the applications on a managed Apple computer to verify if updates are needed.

Update Deferrals 

When an application update is needed, you will receive an application update alert. Application updates must be completed once every 30 days if updates are available. The update can be deferred up to nine times before the application will be forced to update. 

1. Lists applications to be updated. 
2. Shows deferrals remaining. You have only 9 deferrals in each 30-day period. Once deferred, there will be a 3-day period before being asked to update again. 
3. Click Defer to defer updates for one day before the update window reappears. 
4. If no action is taken, updates will automatically be deferred when the timer expires.  If no deferrals are available, updates will begin after the time expires. 
5. Click Update Now to start the patching of applications. There is no way to stop the updates once patching has begun. 
6. Click the question mark icon (?) for Help Desk Central contact information. 

Update Progress

Once updates begin, you can track their progress. 

1. List of applications being updated.
2. Information on application currently being updated.
3. Computer information and number of updates.
4. Information on application currently being updated.
5. The Done button is disabled until all application updates are complete.
6. Help Information – Device and Help Desk Central contact information. 

Automated OS updates

The tool checks for macOS updates daily. If found, the update will be downloaded automatically in the background. Once the download is complete, an update window will be presented. Only minor OS updates are being enforced (14.5 -> 14.6 for example).

1. Click Restart to apply the OS update immediately.
2. Click the Defer software update for: drop down to select a period of time to defer the update. Options are 4 hours, 1 day, or 3 days. If there is less time left in the 30-day update cycle, the 1 and 3 day options will not be available.
3. Click Defer to defer the update for the amount of time you have selected.

Manual Application Updates 

If you have an application update pending but would like to run the update without having to wait until the next time patching is automatically triggered, you can manually start the update process in the Self-Service Hub. You cannot defer a manually started update.
 
To manually patch:

1. Open the Self-Service Hub using Spotlight Search or through the Applications folder. 
2. Expand the Browse section if it is not already open, then click Updates once Self-Service Hub is open.
   
   
    
3. Click Update under the “Check for App Updates” policy.