Why does Apple now call an "upgrade" an "update" (on SysPref > Software Updates)?

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allan299 Author

Level 1

60 points

Why does Apple now call an "upgrade" an "update" (on SysPref > Software Updates)?

Am I misunderstanding here?

System Preferences > Software Updates

"Advanced" options include to have Apple "install mac OS updates"

Is not an 'update' on the OS (operating system) actually an upgrade?

-- and a substantial decision to make?

I don't think that this upgrading to a new and different OS can happen

automatically, but only that one is automatically notified that a

difference OS is available for the user's participation in installing;

correct?

Posted on Oct 8, 2019 2:49 PM

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Answer 1

allan299 Author

Level 1

60 points

Oct 8, 2019 9:21 PM in response to fyip

This is the best evidence that the OS Mac update is being

acknowledged as as "Upgrade", although it is being

used as a verb in this case, isn't it. There is a feeling of

a lack of transparency, that's all; and a practical lesson as to

have careful one needs to be to read all the 'more info' and the Apple documents on an "Upgrade" (a noun) very carefully and not make any rash decisions. It 'encourages'

increase awareness, which is arguably a good thing.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,960 points

Oct 9, 2019 3:24 PM in response to allan299

A macOS update is going from 10.14.2 to 10.14.3

An upgrade is going from anything below 10.15.0 to 10.15.0

If the middle number changes, it is an upgrade.

If the middle number doesn't. change, it is an update.

Nothing has changed except the delivery mechanism.

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Answer 3

fyip

Level 6

18,384 points

Oct 8, 2019 6:26 PM in response to allan299

it does other updates as well safari etc

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Answer 4

fyip

Level 6

18,384 points

Oct 8, 2019 6:39 PM in response to Barney-15E

mine says it will install Catalina for me I am on Mojave

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Answer 5

fyip

Level 6

18,384 points

Oct 8, 2019 7:02 PM in response to fyip

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,960 points

Oct 8, 2019 6:30 PM in response to allan299

In Apple's parlance, an update is a a change to a major version of software.

An Upgrade is a new, major version of the software. It will be updated until the next Upgrade.

I don't believe that Software Updates will install an upgrade to a new OS, it will only install updates to the installed OS.

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Answer 7

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,960 points

Oct 8, 2019 7:08 PM in response to fyip

All macOS updates/upgrades go through Software Update instead of the App Store (though that is still possible).

I don't know where they are going with that, but it seems they are separating OS updates from App updates.

Did it automatically try to upgrade the OS? Or is it just asking?

Software Update is the name of an app. That doesn't imply that it only does updates.

As far as I know, the "Automatically keep my Mac up to date" refers only to updates. I didn't upgrade to Catalina via the normal method, so I don't know if it would have upgraded my OS automatically.

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