Enable App Store Updates

What the App Store update enabler does

This Automox Worklet™ automates the enablement of automatic App Store updates on macOS endpoints. The Worklet checks the AutoUpdate preference value in /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce and enables it if disabled.

By default, macOS may have automatic App Store updates disabled, leaving applications without critical security patches. This Worklet ensures that any app distributed through the Mac App Store receives updates automatically as soon as they become available.

By default, macOS may have automatic App Store updates disabled, leaving applications without critical security patches.

Why enable automatic App Store updates

App Store applications often contain security fixes for vulnerabilities discovered in the software. Manual update processes are error-prone and time-consuming, especially when managing hundreds of endpoints across your organization.

Enabling automatic updates reduces the window of time your endpoints are exposed to known vulnerabilities. Your IT Operations team can focus on other security priorities rather than tracking which apps need updates on each machine.

Many compliance frameworks and security standards require organizations to maintain current patches across all software. Automating App Store updates helps you demonstrate compliance and maintain a secure endpoint posture.

How App Store update enablement works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet reads the AutoUpdate preference from /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce to determine if automatic App Store updates are currently enabled (exit code 0) or disabled (exit code 1).

2. Remediation phase: If automatic updates are disabled, the Worklet uses the defaults command to set the AutoUpdate preference to TRUE, enabling automatic updates for all App Store applications on the endpoint.

App Store update requirements

• macOS 10.12 Sierra or later

• Root or administrator access required

• Access to modify /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce

• Active Mac App Store account or enterprise system configuration

Expected App Store update behavior

After this Worklet runs successfully, your macOS endpoints will check the App Store for updates regularly and apply them automatically in the background. Users no longer need to manually check for or install updates to App Store applications.

You can verify the change by running defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce AutoUpdate on any remediated endpoint. It should return 1, indicating automatic updates are enabled. Your endpoints will also appear in the Automox console with status indicators showing successful remediation.

How to validate enable app store updates changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot macOS endpoint and review evaluation output for enable app store updates.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as exit, else.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as defaults, else, exit, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for enable app store updates. This supports repeatable security workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as exit, else and remediation operations such as defaults, else, exit. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for enable app store updates. This supports repeatable security workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as exit, else and remediation operations such as defaults, else, exit. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.