Nudge macOS Updates

What is Nudge for macOS

Nudge for macOS is an application designed to ensure university-owned macOS devices remain up-to-date and compliant with essential software policies. It effectively encourages users to install critical macOS updates through reminder popups, helping maintain security and compliance standards across the institution.

How does Nudge work?

The Nudge application launches on a schedule determined by different components within the app. The Nudge app allows you to defer an update to a later time. However, as time goes on and the required installation date nears, Nudge prompts become more frequent, and the allowed deferral period shortens. Once the installation date has passed, Nudge will no longer allow deferrals.

What are the advantages of using Nudge for university Mac computers?

Nudge encourages users to install critical macOS updates promptly, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities. Notifications are designed to be user-friendly and minimally disruptive. Nudge reduces the need for ITS to manually intervene in updating devices, saving time and resources while ensuring updates are rolled out consistently. By giving users control over when to install updates within a defined timeframe, Nudge minimizes disruption to academic and administrative tasks.

What do Nudge popups look like?

When a new security update is released, macOS users will periodically receive popup notifications reminding them to update. These notifications are designed to be non-intrusive and will not appear while a webcam is in use or during screen sharing in applications like Teams or Zoom.

Screenshot of Nudge pop up that says: Your device requires a security update. A friendly reminder from WLU ITS. Your device will restart during this updated. Updates can take around 30 minutes to complete. A fully up-to-date Mac is required to ensure your device is protected. If you do not update your Mac within the deadline, you may lose access to some items necessary for your day-to-day tasks. To begin the update, simply click on the Open Software Update button. That will take you to the update window where you can start the update process. Thank you for helping to keep Washington and Lee University's network safe.

If you're currently running an older macOS, you will have the option to Upgrade Now to the latest macOS.

Screenshot of the software update page that provides an option to Upgrade Now to macOS Sequoia 15.1.1

What if I don't want to upgrade to Sequoia?

If your computer is still on an older macOS version and you are not yet ready to upgrade to the newest version you don't have to. Follow these instructions below to update instead.

*NOTE* Only the most recent three releases of macOS are supported by Apple (currently, Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia).

  1. Click the Open Software Update button
  2. When the Software Update window opens, scroll down to the bottom and click More Info.
  3. A new window will open that says "Available Updates." Make sure each option is selected, then click Update Now.
  4. This will install any remaining security updates or device updates for your machine. Once the updates are installed, the computer will need to restart. Afterwards, open Software Update again to make sure there are no remaining updates.

Screenshot that says Also Available macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 and 1 more with a clickable link that says More Info...

Screenshot that shows Available Updates for macOS Sonoma 14.7 with an Update Now button

What if Nudge continues to prompt for updates, even though no updates are found?

Should this ever occur, users will need to send an email to the ITS Helpdesk at help@wlu.edu for assistance.