Update OS version on Apple devices

Use commands to update the operating system (OS) on Device Management for Apple (DMA) enrolled devices. The Update OS command updates software on Mac computers, iPhones, iPad tablets, and Apple TVs.

To send OS update commands to DMA enrolled devices, your user role must have the Update OS Version permission enabled. For more information see the Device Management for Apple section on Default system roles and their permissions.

OS update command considerations:
  • DMA sends commands to instruct the device to download and/or install available updates. We cannot guarantee that the Apple device will obey and fulfill the commands.
  • Depending on the device configuration and enrollment, the end user may need to enter their admin credentials to run the command.
  • We tested the command with macOS 13 Ventura and iOS 16, where the process is most mature. The command may succeed on previous OS versions, but the latest OS version is downloaded and installed. For example, if you run the command on macOS 12, and it succeeds, it updates to macOS 13.4. Each older OS decreases the likelihood of proper function.

Schedule an Apple OS update for devices from DMA

  1. On the left navigation, select Dashboards > Device Management for Apple.

    The Devices tab displays including device name, serial number, OS version, profiles and more.

  2. Select the checkbox for one or more devices and use the Commands drop-down menu to select Schedule OS Update.

  3. Select the method you want to use for updating the OS version.
  4. Review the resulting note information and select Update to confirm the command.

    The command is sent to the devices. The action is completed or queued for processing, and you can view the result in the Command log.

Update the Apple OS version on a device from the All Devices view

  1. On the All Devices view North-pane go to the Workstations, Mixed, or Mobile Devices tab.
  2. Right-click the target device and select Commands > Update OS Version.

    The Commands option is available when a device is enrolled in Device Management for Apple.

  3. Select an update option.

    When an unsupervised device receives the Update OS Version command, the user is prompted for action rather than the command simply performing the action.

  4. If prompted, review the OS command notice and select Yes, I understand.

    The command is sent to the device. The action is completed or queued for processing, and the result is returned to N-sight RMM where you can view it in the Command log.

Update options

Option Note
Download or install the update, depending on the current device state This option lets the OS decide which action to take based on whether a user is logged in and working or based on its configuration. This is the safest option and is considered the default option.
Download the latest update without installing it  
Download the latest update and trigger the restart countdown In iOS and tvOS, this installs a previously downloaded software update.

In macOS it downloads the software update and triggers the restart countdown notification via Notification Center.
Download the latest update and notify the user via the App Store Only available for macOS.
Download or install the latest update, force a restart if required This option lets the OS decide which action to take based on whether a user is logged in and working, or based on its configuration, but also make a device restart mandatory.

Only available for macOS.

Updated: Dec 16, 2024