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macOS 10.14 Mojave Removes Software Update Mechanism From the Mac App Store and Returns it to System Preferences

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As the dust settles on Apple's macOS 10.14 Mojave announcement at WWDC on Monday, developers are already busy digging into the beta version that Apple made available to download shortly after the keynote for testing purposes.

Among other headlining features, Apple is introducing a new redesigned Mac App Store with MacOS Mojave, and as part of the change, it looks as if Apple has decided to stop delivering system software updates via the Mac App Store's Updates tab.

macos-mojave-system-updates-0.jpg

Instead, Apple has moved the system update mechanism to System Preferences, and in doing so has re-introduced the Software Update preference pane of old. The re-instated pane, which was discovered by a Reddit user, includes Advanced options previously found in the old Mac App Store preference pane, which it replaces.

The change will likely be warmly received by Mac owners, as it means they will no longer have to open the Mac App Store to check for and download system updates, which has been criticized for being a slow and clunky affair in current versions of macOS. As expected, the Mac App Store will continue to be the delivery mechanism for individual app updates, the section for which can be accessed via a new sidebar.

macos-mojave-system-updates-1.jpg

macOS Mojave is limited to registered developers at this time, but later in the summer, Apple plans to make a public macOS Mojave beta available, giving public beta testers a chance to try the software before it sees a public launch in the fall.

Apple likes to focus on tentpole features when it unveils a new operating system, but there are always lots of small tweaks and improvements that gradually come to light in the days and weeks after the WWDC keynote. Stay tuned to MacRumors for upcoming coverage of all the little things new to macOS Mojave and iOS 12.

Article Link: macOS 10.14 Mojave Removes Software Update Mechanism From the Mac App Store and Returns it to System Preferences
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/05/macos-mojave-software-update-in-system-preferences/
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Oh thank goodness. System updates were always a pain in the Mac App Store, and it didn't make sense that they were there.

Last time I had to message Apple support, they wanted me to update my minor rev of Sierra before diagnosing stuff. I opened the MAS, went to the updates section, and it said I was up to date. After lots of back and forth and the service person probably thinking I'm an idiot, trying to find a DMG somewhere online instead, the update randomly appeared. No loading wheel or anything before that. And it was an update from weeks ago.
 
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The idea has one little disadvantage. Of course, each user will set to "automatic update". Since unfortunately updates often load large amount of data for longer periods of time (they have all become terribly memory intensive, MS WORD 5.1 was only 1 MB) I have noticed that for example, FaceTime transmissions become a game of chance. Even with somehow fast DSL connection.

Apple should integrate an advanced option to stop running updates in the background as long as current user programs do not need the network resources themselves.
 
macOS 10.14 Mojave Removes Software Update Mechanism From the Mac App Store and Returns it to System Preferences
Click to expand...
How does it return to System Preferences? Software Update on Mac OS X was never a part of System Preferences but a separate application you could launch from the Apple Menu.
 
MattJessop said:
Hmm. I actually always thought it made more sense in the App Store personally.
Click to expand...

Nah, always used to be separate and I wish they hadn't made that change in the first place. The trouble with implementing it into the App Store was it was slooooow. I can't count the number of times I've searched for an OS update after MR says there's one and the App Store would just load with a white screen or clicking the Updates tab would show nothing, even when there's an update available, then randomly show it after 14 CMD + Qs.

It just needs to be a separate app that shows any updates. No frills, no shoving in with other applications.
 
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n-evo said:
How does it return to System Preferences? Software Update on Mac OS X was never a part of System Preferences but a separate application you could launch from the Apple Menu.
Click to expand...
I think they mean the preference pane returned, but now it has more functionality than it ever did. I do miss that app though.
 
Apple has moved the system update mechanism to System Preferences, and in doing so has re-introduced the Software Update preference pane of old.

I approve. :cool:
 
keysofanxiety said:

You don't have iOS updates in the iOS App Store. Why should macOS updates be in the Mac App Store?

These aren't apps, these are OS updates. It's like if Microsoft had their Windows Updates available in the W10 Store. That would be silly.​
Click to expand...

I for my point would also prefer iOS updates through App Store.

One place to rule them all!

But I can see how it’s now in common with iOS, so Apple decided this way around, I can live with that.
 
MathiasLM89 said:
Meanwhile I can recommend:

Code: 
softwareupdate -ia
Click to expand...

Also, 'mas' (not built in, alas) is a decent App Store CLI client.
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n-evo said:
How does it return to System Preferences? Software Update on Mac OS X was never a part of System Preferences but a separate application you could launch from the Apple Menu.
Click to expand...

Software Update used to be a preference pane. You would interact either through that or by launching the app from the Apple menu, but you wouldn't really launch the app directly, as it's (deliberately) fairly hidden at /System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app.

This presumably brings this back halfway, although I wonder how you initiate a manual check — will they bring back an Apple menu item?
 
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keysofanxiety said:

You don't have iOS updates in the iOS App Store. Why should macOS updates be in the Mac App Store?

These aren't apps, these are OS updates. It's like if Microsoft had their Windows Updates available in the W10 Store. That would be silly.​
Click to expand...
Now, I guess Safari updates would also go to System Preferences. What about iTunes updates? And iWork updates?
 
keysofanxiety said:

You don't have iOS updates in the iOS App Store. Why should macOS updates be in the Mac App Store?

These aren't apps, these are OS updates. It's like if Microsoft had their Windows Updates available in the W10 Store. That would be silly.​
Click to expand...

It's kind of hard to draw the line, though. Xcode updates used to come through Software Update, but Xcode now gets distributed in the App Store. Why? No real reason. Safari updates come through Software Update and always have.

What makes for the "OS"? Which apps are part of it, and which ones aren't? Pretty much the only definition you could come up with would be tautological: apps that ship through the App Store aren't part of the OS, even when they come from Apple.
 
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Well this will confuse a lot users for needless reasons. I’d argue all updates need to go through the App Store on all devices. The less you have to send users to settings/system preferences the better.
 
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