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Device Update Notifications via Nudge for Apple Computers (MacOS)

Nudge is a tool that lets you know when it's time to update your MacOS device.

Last updated: April 2025

Apple periodically makes available security updates and system upgrades for MacOS and its built-in applications, including Safari, directly to Mac computers in the System Preferences Software Updates setting. Nudge is an application that notifies Mac computer users about security updates they are required to install. IT requires University of Miami computers running MacOS to be updated within a certain number of days from when a security update is released.

When a new security update is released, Apple computer users will periodically receive a pop-up notification, similar to the one below, alerting them an update is available. Please note these notifications will not pop-up and take focus while a webcam is in use and/or while sharing your screen via an application such as Teams or Zoom.

To apply an update when you receive this notification, click Update Device.

To defer the update, click I understand, then from the Defer drop down list, select one of the options provided. We recommend that you install updates as soon as possible.

  • You can defer an update for up to a certain number of days, as noted in the pop-up you receive. The frequency of these notifications will increase over time.

  • After the deferment period is complete, the notification can no longer be dismissed, and you must install the updates.

FAQs

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  • What do I do after I click "Update Device" in the pop-up?

    After clicking Update Device, you will see a Software Update dialog box like one of the two shown below.

    If the dialog box text begins with Updates are available for your Mac, and the button next to that text says either Update Now or Restart Now (the button could have either text), click that button to apply the update. Follow any subsequent screen prompts.


    If the dialog box starts by listing your MacOS version and the button text reads Upgrade Now, do not click it. This is informing you that, in addition to a security update, an upgrade to your MacOS is available.

    Upgrades are major releases and should only be applied after checking with the IT Service Desk. Instead, when you see this dialog box, click More Info.

    The next dialog box will list the updates available to you.

    Click Update Now, Install Now, or Restart Now (the button to click could have any of these text options). Follow any screen prompts until you complete the process.


    New with MacOS 13.1 update:     If you are prompted for an admin account login after updating, please authenticate with your computer's login name and password.

  • What happens if I run into an issue? What do I do?

    If you receive a message that you do not have enough free space, please review this guide from Apple.

    If Nudge shows that there is an update, but one is not found in System Preferences, please restart your computer and try again. If it is still not available, please contact the IT Service Desk.

For technical support at any time, please contact the IT Service Desk.

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