macOS Catalina Security Update 2026-001 10.15.8 ????

This is about providing a new security certificate that will let services like iMessages and FaceTime continue to work after January of 2027.

The Eclectic Light Company (February 2, 2026) – Apple has just released security updates for Catalina and Big Sur

Apple recently released a slew of updates to iOS/iPadOS 12, 15, 16, 18, and 26 that are documented as, or appear to be, aimed at the same thing. (They should release one for iPadOS 17, too. Some iPads can't update past it.)

I have no idea if Apple plans similar updates for any versions of macOS prior to Catalina.

This legit Apple support document shows it:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

There are some reports today from other senior contributors that the download was slow. Might wait until you have time to deal with it. Servers get hit hard on the first few days of a new release.

Yes, I just updated our 2012 Mac mini server to 10.15.8 and all went well. 

[Edited by Moderator]

I CANT GET THIS UPDATE TO RUN PROPERLY, ITS CAUSING MY MAC PROBLEMS

I’ve tried three times now to install the update OS 10.15.8 and every time l gave the same problem.

Once the update is installed, upon restart, l can’t log into my user account, as l get the beachball every time, l then have to re-boot in into recovery mode and reinstall from Time Machine back -up.

Everything is working perfectly until l install the update. I even tried installing from SAFE mode, but that’s no good as this update requires a restart pre - installation so even if l initiate the update in safe mode, it re- boots and installs in normal mode, or so it seems.

Does anyone have any tips on how to install this software without causing issues?