macOS - Configuration - Disable Auto-Updates

What the macOS automatic update disabler does

This Automox Worklet™ disables three critical macOS update mechanisms: automatic system update checks, automatic download of system updates, and automatic App Store application updates. The Worklet targets the system preferences stored in com.apple.SoftwareUpdate and com.apple.commerce configuration domains.

The Worklet also unloads the softwareupdate_notify_agent launch agent and disables the softwareupdate scheduler, preventing background update notifications and scheduled update attempts. This multi-layered approach verifies that endpoints cannot initiate updates through any macOS update mechanism.

This configuration is particularly useful in controlled IT environments where administrators need to validate updates before deployment or coordinate patch management across multiple endpoints simultaneously.

Why maintain centralized update control on macOS

Automatic updates can disrupt critical workflows, trigger unexpected reboots, or deploy untested configurations to your endpoints. In enterprise environments, IT teams need to validate updates for compatibility, security impact, and organizational readiness before deployment.

By centralizing update management through Automox, you gain visibility into patch status across all macOS endpoints, schedule deployments during maintenance windows, and maintain consistent software versions for compliance and security testing. This approach reduces unexpected downtime and allows your IT team to control the pace of change in your infrastructure.

Organizations with strict change management policies, regulatory requirements, or critical production systems benefit significantly from preventing automatic updates and using centralized deployment instead.

How automatic update disabling works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet reads three preference values: AutomaticCheckEnabled, AutomaticDownload from com.apple.SoftwareUpdate, and AutoUpdate from com.apple.commerce. If any value equals 1 (enabled), the endpoint is flagged for remediation.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet unloads the softwareupdate_notify_agent, disables the update scheduler with softwareupdate --schedule off, and writes false boolean values to AutomaticCheckEnabled, AutomaticDownload, and AutoUpdate preferences using the defaults command.

macOS update disabling requirements

• macOS endpoint with System Preferences accessible

• Administrative privileges to modify system defaults and unload launch agents

• com.apple.SoftwareUpdate and com.apple.commerce preference domains must exist

• FixNow compatible for immediate deployment

Expected macOS update behavior after remediation

After remediation, your macOS endpoint will no longer check for, download, or install updates automatically. The Software Update application will remain available for manual checks, but no background update processes will run. The System Preferences, Software Update pane will reflect disabled settings for all automatic update options.

Users can verify the change by opening System Preferences, navigating to Software Update, and confirming that automatic update options are disabled. To deploy updates after running this Worklet, use Automox directly or manually trigger updates through the Software Update system preference pane.

How to validate disable auto-updates changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot macOS endpoint and review evaluation output for disable auto-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 launchctl, sudo, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for disable auto-updates. This supports repeatable system preferences 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 launchctl, sudo. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.