How Do I Update My Mac When It Says No Update?

Updating your Mac is usually straightforward, but what happens when Software Update tells you your Mac is up to date, even though you know there is a newer version available? This can be frustrating and confusing, as it prevents you from upgrading to the latest macOS version to keep your Mac secure and compatible with the newest apps.

If you are asking, 'How can I update my Mac when it says no update?'—you are not alone. The good news is there are ways to resolve this issue. In this guide, we’ll walk you through effective tips to help you troubleshoot and force your Mac to update, even when the update option doesn’t appear.

Why Is There No Software Update Option on My Mac?

Typically, your Mac will notify you when a new macOS update is available, especially for major updates or system upgrades. However, if the software update option is missing, there could be several reasons behind it.

Incompatible Mac Model

If your Mac isn’t compatible with the latest macOS version, the update won’t appear in Software Update. This occurs when your device no longer meets the requirements for the new operating system. For instance, if you are using a MacBook Pro from before 2018 or a MacBook Air from before 2020, the macOS 15 Sequoia update won’t be available to you.

Unstable or Disconnected Network

A poor or disrupted network connection can prevent your Mac from accessing the software update server. Without this connection, your Mac won't display available updates. In this situation, connect to a stable, high-speed network and reopen Software Update to allow your Mac to scan for available updates again.

Apple Server Issues

macOS updates are delivered through Apple’s servers. If these servers are experiencing temporary issues, your Mac may be unable to connect and download updates. This can lead to the update not appearing.

System Bug or Glitch

A temporary glitch or bug in your Mac’s system causes Software Update to stop working properly, making the update option hidden or unavailable. This might happen due to minor software issues, outdated caches, or incomplete system processes that interfere with how Software Update functions.

How Do I Update My Mac When It Says No Update?

If you are unsure what's causing the 'No update available' issue, try the following troubleshooting steps one by one until the problem is resolved.

Clear Cache Files on Mac

As mentioned, cache files may disrupt the Software Update feature. Since it’s hard to pinpoint which cached data is causing the issue, it's a good idea to clear all of them.

You can manually clear cache files by navigating through each cache folder and dragging the files to the Trash, but this can be time-consuming. Fortunately, BuhoCleaner can help. This powerful Mac cleaner quickly and easily identifies and removes junk files, including system caches, logs, and other unnecessary data, saving you time and effort.

Deleting accumulated system cache files not only helps resolve update problems but also frees up space on your Mac, ensuring it runs smoothly and has enough storage available for future software updates.

Click the Download button to install BuhoCleaner on your Mac and start clearing the system cache.

Step 1. Open BuhoCleaner on your Mac.

Step 2. Choose Flash Clean on the left sidebar and click Scan.

Step 3. Click View Details to view all found junk files.

Step 4. Select User Cache Files and System Cache Files and click Remove.

Step 5. Restart your Mac and check if there is an update available in Software Update.

Check if Your Mac Is Compatible with the macOS Version

Have you ever wondered, "Is my Mac too old to update?" If the software update option isn’t available, it’s likely because your Mac doesn’t support the latest macOS version. As a result, the system doesn’t notify you about new updates. You can check the basic information of your Mac model and see if it supports the latest update.

Here is how:

Step 1. Click the Apple menu > About This Mac.

Step 2. Check the details under your Mac model, including its screen size and production year. Step 3. Go to support.apple.com to check if your Mac is listed as compatible with the specific macOS version you want to update to.

If it supports the latest macOS, move to the next solution. If it doesn’t, you can still install an unsupported macOS on your Mac (steps are provided below).

Check Your Network Connection

If you have confirmed that your Mac supports the latest macOS version but your Mac is still showing up to date, you might be wondering, 'How do I update my Mac when it says no update?' In this case, it's a good idea to check if a weak network connection is causing the issue.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Disconnect from Wi-Fi and wait a moment before reconnecting.

Step 2: Open a website in your browser to check if the Wi-Fi connection is stable.

Step 3: Move your Mac closer to the Wi-Fi router or switch to a stronger connection.

Step 4: Turn off the router, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

Next, reopen the Software Update window and see if the macOS update is available.

Check the Apple Server Status

A problem with Apple’s macOS Software Update server can prevent your Mac from updating. To check if the Apple server is down, visit the Apple System Status page. This real-time dashboard shows the status of all Apple’s services.

If the indicator next to macOS Software Update is yellow, red, or gray, it means there's an issue with the macOS update service, probably leading to the missing update notification on your Mac. In this case, you will need to wait until Apple resolves the problem. Once the server is back to normal, the indicator will turn green and show macOS Software Update available.

Directly Download the Update from the App Store

There are alternative methods to update your Mac when no update is available through Software Update. One option is to download the macOS installer from a different source.

The easiest way is through the App Store:

Step 1. Click the Apple menu > App Store.

Step 2. Search for the Mac OS version you want to update.

Step 3. Click Get and install the macOS version on your Mac.

Alternatively, if the update isn’t available in the App Store, you can try searching for a direct download link through a browser. Just be cautious and ensure the link is from a trusted, authorized source.

Force Your Mac to Update with OpenCore Legacy Patcher

If your Mac doesn’t support the latest macOS or the version you want to install, OpenCore Legacy Patcher can help force an update even when no compatible update is available. This tool allows you to install macOS on unsupported Macs.

Before proceeding, it’s highly recommended to back up your Mac to protect your data. Keep in mind that running an incompatible macOS on your Mac may lead to performance issues or unexpected behavior.

Here's how to force your Mac to update to an unsupported macOS version:

Step 1. Download the macOS installer on a compatible Mac. When the download process finishes, quit the installation so the installer will remain in the Applications folder in Finder.

Step 2. Create a bootable USB macOS installer.

Step 3. Download and install OpenCore Legacy Patcher on your Mac.

Step 4. Launch OpenCore Legacy Patcher, select Build & Install OpenCore > Settings to choose the Mac you’ll run the macOS, then back to the main menu, choose Install OpenCore to USB/internal drive.

Step 5. Restart your Mac while pressing and holding the Option key. Choose EFI Boot on the screen to load up OpenCore, and select Install macOS.

Conclusion

This post thoroughly answers the question, 'How do I update my Mac when it says no update?' by exploring potential causes and offering solutions to make the update available. Even if your Mac doesn’t support the latest macOS, we provide a method to run an unsupported version.

To resolve the update issues and ensure a smooth update process, use BuhoCleaner to clean up your Mac. It removes system cache files and other junk files, giving your system the stable environment and enough room it needs for the update.