Check for updates in Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any compatible update Apple offers. If your Mac says it is up to date, that means Software Update found no compatible update to install; it does not prove your Mac was never exposed to or exploited through a zero-day vulnerability.
Check for and install compatible macOS updates
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Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, select General, then choose Software Update. You can also search for Software Update directly in System Settings.
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Wait for your Mac to check for software compatible with its model. If an update is offered, choose the update, upgrade, or restart option shown, then follow the on-screen prompts. Apple recommends backing up your Mac before installing new software.
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Check Software Update again after installation if you want to see whether another compatible update is available. Apple recommends using the latest macOS version compatible with your Mac—not necessarily the newest major macOS release overall.
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Software Update is Apple’s supported way to check for updates. It only offers software compatible with your Mac model, so an older Mac may not be able to install the newest macOS version.
What “Your Mac is up to date” does—and does not—tell you
The message means that Software Update did not find a compatible update currently available to install. It is a check of update availability, not a forensic examination of your Mac. It cannot establish that your Mac was never exposed to a zero-day exploit, or determine whether an attacker previously accessed it.
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Apple does not generally disclose or confirm security issues until it has investigated them and patches or releases are available. For that reason, the absence of a public advisory about a particular issue is not proof that no unknown vulnerability exists.
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To see which security updates Apple has announced, check Apple Support’s Apple security releases index and open the security-content notes for the relevant macOS update. The index lists release dates and, where available, vulnerability details identified with CVE numbers. Use the notes for the macOS version your Mac can install; a fix listed for a newer release does not by itself show that your model can run that release.
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Choose the right action for your situation
| Action | Purpose | Who it is for | Trade-off or limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check Software Update and install offered updates | Install fixes and other software updates compatible with your Mac. | All Mac users. | Confirms update availability, not whether the Mac was previously exploited. |
| Turn on Lockdown Mode | Reduce the attack surface by restricting some apps, websites, and features. | People with a credible reason to believe they may be individually targeted by sophisticated attacks. | Some features and ordinary uses are restricted; it is not a zero-day scanner or a substitute for updates. |
Lockdown Mode is an optional protective measure, not a routine step everyone needs to take. Apple says most people are never targeted by mercenary spyware attacks.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Apple sends you a threat notification
Apple threat notifications concern activity Apple detects as consistent with mercenary spyware attacks. If you receive one, follow the instructions in the notification and Apple’s guidance on Apple threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware. Apple recommends updating your devices and also describes account-security measures and Lockdown Mode.
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If you suspect a specific compromise but have not received a notification, an update check alone cannot confirm or rule it out. The right assessment depends on details such as your Mac model, installed macOS version, the suspected vulnerability, and what signs or alerts you have encountered. Avoid treating a generic scanner or an “up to date” message as proof of a clean history.
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