Some Macs Auto-Updating to macOS Sonoma Without User Permission

[MacRumors]

Over the past few weeks, some Mac users have complained that their computer automatically upgraded itself from macOS Ventura to the latest macOS Sonoma release, even with the automatic updates setting turned off.

There are widespread complaints about this issue across the Apple Support Community, MacRumors Forums, Reddit, X, and other websites.

In most cases, it appears that affected users received a desktop notification alerting them that macOS Sonoma was an available software update. However, despite dismissing the notification and having automatic updates turned off, affected users said their Mac proceeded to install macOS Sonoma regardless. Apple began showing the notification to users on January 10, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

The underlying cause of the issue is unclear, and an Apple spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is possible to downgrade a Mac to an older macOS version by using a bootable installer to erase and install the older version and then restoring your data from a Time Machine backup. Always make sure to back up your data before downgrading a Mac.

To review your Mac's update settings, open the System Settings app, click General → Software Update, and click the info symbol next to Automatic Updates.

We will update this report if new information becomes available.

Article Link: Some Macs Auto-Updating to macOS Sonoma Without User Permission

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Terribly annoying.

 

[Bokito]

This is very bad for businesses. We haven’t upgraded yet because a single application isn’t compatible yet. For 99% of the users I don’t think the Sanoma update causes problems, but for some it will. Hopefully Apple ads an easy way to revert to a previous macOS. It isn’t that hard.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

This is very bad for businesses. We haven’t upgraded yet because a single application isn’t compatible yet. For 99% of the users I don’t think the Sanoma update causes problems, but for some it will. Hopefully Apple ads an easy way to revert to a previous macOS. It isn’t that hard.

new hardware forces updates and does apple firmware lockout old versions as well?

 

[bierre]

Happened to me twice yesterday, the system recommended me to update to Sonoma with a notification hinting new stuff coming with it. But even if you dismissed the notification it would then ask for your password without explicitly saying you were actually going to install it. It's annoying because if you're in the middle of something you would not think that the system is trying to install it and you would type in your password. It's a risky operation especially for audio engineers that rely on lots of softwares.

 

[ryterbandmusic]

This happened to me last month in my music studio. I still wonder if it might have been user error, and I just didn't realize. In any case, it SUCKED. Time Machine restore on an 8TB drive took forever, and my main user account has been funky ever since. Had to create a new user last week to rectify. If this is happening because of a bug, that's very frustrating. It should be effortless and intuitive to avoid major updates. The livelihood of working professionals is partially dependent on insuring that there are no unwanted upgrades/updates. It can totally break a system (as it did for me).

 

[Bustycat]

At least Windows would ask you to update now or tomorrow.

 

[Rychiar]

Lucky. I can’t get any of my Mac’s to auto update anything, even security updates, lol

 

[DJLC]

Meanwhile, I can't get automatic updates to work even when I want them! I always have to manually "Update Now."

Apple's software QA really has fallen off a cliff.

 

[Renderdog]

I had the dialogue pop up, and noticed that preventing it from updating required a careful choice. Annoying.

 

[deebinem]

Was following this thread for a bit and wondering how much of a concern or outlier it was but now this article? 🤔

EDIT: I now see that MR already had that thread in the post.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

new hardware forces updates and does apple firmware lockout old versions as well?

In my experience, NO!

 

[0339327]

Had this happen to me during a standard restart. VERY VERY displeased. I didn’t even bother complaining because Apple doesn’t care.

They have lost all moral high ground with their quest for money and power.

 

[winxmac]

On my MacBook Pro 2015, I decided to remain on Catalina, however, after some time, Monterey gets auto-downloaded which uses precious storage space... My computer is already on the version I want to use... I know that this is about Sonoma but the experience is pretty much the same... Why is Apple doing this?

 

[JohannesO]

Happened to me twice yesterday, the system recommended me to update to Sonoma with a notification hinting new stuff coming with it. But even if you dismissed the notification it would then ask for your password without explicitly saying you were actually going to install it. It's annoying because if you're in the middle of something you would not think that the system is trying to install it and you would type in your password. It's a risky operation especially for audio engineers that rely on lots of softwares.

Why would I want to enter my password when the prompt is unclear?

 

[northernmunky]

Thats definitely not acceptable, even in JAMF although you can defer the update the maximum is 90 days and then it still prompts the users anyway. We use Avid software, as well as a few other specialist tools and our vendors and even our storage supplier have both strongly advised against updating from Ventura until its fully qualified which at the moment it isn't.

We only upgrade our systems once a year and its after a current release has been out for a year and everything fully tested in a production environment.

 

[Jentera]

This happened to me this morning. So annoying. I'm fortunate it didn't mess with my work VPN software.

 

[Octavius8]

I had this issue and the compatibility with my external bootable SSD broke!, it was a HUGE waste of time to downgrade!.
Apple has no moral nor interest in customers anymore.

 

[Coleman2010]

Lucky. I can’t get any of my Mac’s to auto update anything, even security updates, lol

Check your host file to see if you are blocking the Apple Software update IPs.

 

[Realityck]

Why would I want to enter my password when the prompt is unclear?

Sonoma like Ventura requires a admin authorization before it can install, so even if auto updates was enabled it shouldn’t run on its own?

 

[antiprotest]

Where are the MR users saying "You are not Apple engineers!" "Apple engineers known better!"

 

[dpCM]

Thank you for acknowledging this problem. It would be great if Apple would do the same as well as fix it so it does not happen again. My personal MBP got upgraded but luckily I averted it on my production iMac. Dumb luck had it that I restarted the MBP first even though I received the same notification on both.

I just checked my Software Updates settings again on the MBP, and even though Check Updates (together with the other four options) is off, I still received updates available message for 14.3. Something is definitely broken.

 

[eicca]

What in the Microsoft......

 

[vegetassj4]

The Vision Pro goes on-line February 2, 2024. Human decisions are removed from software updates. Siri begins to learn at a geometric rate. She becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, February 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the lightning cable.

 

[oldwatery]

Meanwhile, I can't get automatic updates to work even when I want them! I always have to manually "Update Now."

Apple's software QA really has fallen off a cliff.

So true. They now spend all resources on useless additions or changes to their systems that in most cases no one wants! This company really has lost all focus. So sad and frustrating.