How to Update Apps on a New Mac

Step by step

1. 15 sec

   Open the Mac App Store

   Click the App Store icon in your Dock. If the icon is not present, press Command + Space, type App Store, and press Enter to launch the application.

   Note: Cmd + Space
2. 10 sec

   Access the Updates section

   Select the Updates tab located in the left-hand sidebar menu. If the sidebar is hidden, click View in the menu bar and select Show Sidebar.

   Note: The App Store automatically scans for available updates upon launching this view.
3. 1 min

   Update App Store applications

   Click Update next to an individual application to initiate a specific download. To install all pending updates at once, click the Update All button at the top right of the window.

   Note: You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password or authenticate via Touch ID.
4. 45 sec

   Update third-party software

   Applications downloaded directly from developer websites operate outside the App Store update cycle. Open these applications individually, click the app name in the menu bar, and select Check for Updates.

   Note: Most modern apps handle these checks automatically on startup; ensure this preference is enabled in the app settings.
5. 30 sec

   Enable automatic updates

   To prevent future manual labor, click App Store in the menu bar and select Settings. Check the box labeled Automatic Updates to ensure the system handles new versions in the background.

   Note: This does not apply to third-party apps managed by their own proprietary update engines.