Automatic Updates in macOS 15.4

[davbro (David Brostoff)]

With the Sequoia 15.4 update, I am trying to understand System Settings > Software Update > Automatic Updates > Security Responses.

If I leave “Download new updates” unchecked (so I can do that manually), will Security Responses still be automatically downloaded and installed?

Also, what does “system files” mean here? Are they part of Security Responses?

[alvarnell]

@davbro

will Security Responses still be automatically downloaded and installed?

Yes.

@davbro

what does “system files” mean here? Are they part of Security Responses?

Rarely used these days, but something less than either a security or macOS update.

[Shamino (David C.)]

@davbro

Also, what does “system files” mean here?

I think these are data files used by existing system services. Like the XProtect service’s database of apps to block.

[Will_M]

I think there was a discussion a while back about new software being installed automatically if it was downloaded, even with the “Install macOS updates” switch being off. Am I remembering correctly? If so, is that still the case? Do you recommend not downloading new updates when available for any reason, inappropriate automatic installs or other?

Edited to add

Maybe I should have checked my own settings.

I have had “Download new updates when available” enabled for at least a few weeks. I don’t know if any have been downloaded, but I’m still on 15.1, so apparently they are not being installed.

Even though I have “Install Security Responses and system files” enabled, I got a notification of something being available. (Sorry, I didn’t save it.) But System Settings defaults to the following.

Wi-Fi is off most of the time (and I get my internet over Wi-Fi), but how does Software Update know there is a Security Response available without being unable to install it, which it should do automatically? And Wi-Fi has been on for the better part of an hour; what is Software Update waiting for? (Clicking the circled “i” to the right of Security Responses simply opens the dialog box in the first screenshot above.)

[davbro (David Brostoff)]

@alvarnell

@davbro

will Security Responses still be automatically downloaded and installed?

Yes.

Thanks for the tip.

Just so I understand, do Security Responses get downloaded in a different way than macOS and application updates?

Also, do you get a notification when Security Responses are installed? (I’m not sure I have ever gotten one.)

EDIT: Please ignore my questions in this post. I didn’t see @Will_M’s edit above until just now, which gives me the answers. My original confusion came because on my screen (MBPro 2019 16-inch) I hadn’t noticed that “Install Security responses and files” is separated from the items above it. (In @Will_M’s screenshot, the separation is clear.)t

[davbro (David Brostoff)]

@Shamino

I think these are data files used by existing system services. Like the XProtect service’s database of apps to block.

Thanks for the explanation.

[davbro (David Brostoff)]

@Will_M

Edited to add

Maybe I should have checked my own settings.

Thanks for the additional information in your edit, which I didn’t see until just now.

It looks like your screen has a lot more contrast than mine does, so now I can see that “Install Security Responses and system files” is a separate item and not subject to “Download new updates when available” as I mistakenly thought.