charlie_juxgold
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Software Updates

Hi, can anyone tell me how to determine the size of software updates? I am restricted to 8GB per month so have to be carefully manage downloads.

iMac

Posted on Nov 7, 2013 4:09 PM

by babowa,Solvedanswer
babowa babowa
Level 7 (32,374 points)
iPad
A:

No, the app store doesn't show sizes - you have to go to Apple support > downloads to find the file size:

 

http://support.apple.com/downloads/

 

The easiest way to navigate is to click on 'browse by product' then search for the one you are looking for (after checking in Software Update what it is).  It will show you the file size.

 

And yes, I know Mavericks is more than 5 GB -  I'd take it to an Apple store and have them download it for me.

Posted on Nov 9, 2013 3:44 PM

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charlie_juxgold

Q: Software Updates

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Nov 7, 2013 5:32 PM in response to charlie_juxgold
    Level 10 (124,824 points)
    Apple Music
    Nov 7, 2013 5:32 PM in response to charlie_juxgold

    Charlie ..

     

    Read here >  Mac OS X: Software update sizes can vary

  • by charlie_juxgold,

    charlie_juxgold charlie_juxgold Nov 7, 2013 5:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 5:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    thanks Carolyn, but this doens't help!! Also, the KB you link to is outdated and the "Patch" folder it mentions hasn't had anything added on my Mac since December 2012!

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Nov 7, 2013 7:33 PM in response to charlie_juxgold
    Level 7 (32,374 points)
    iPad
    Nov 7, 2013 7:33 PM in response to charlie_juxgold

    Here is the link to the manual download of the new Mail update for Mavericks:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1703

     

    It mentioned the file size. If you are on Mavericks, you can go to Apple Support > Downloads > drill down to what you are looking for and visually check for the sizes. That's about the best I can think of since they discontinued the old Software Update which had all that information. Apple thinks that everyone is on lightning fibre with unlimited bandwidth.

  • by charlie_juxgold,

    charlie_juxgold charlie_juxgold Nov 9, 2013 3:18 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 3:18 PM in response to babowa

    Thanks Bobowa, but i'm still on Lion - it's a 5+GB download which will use most of my 8GB for the month! With Lion, I click on the Apple, Software Update (which opens the app store). I see a list of all the updates available with "More" links which either expand with more info or link to the knowledge base on the apple website ... but no info re size! (unless I'm going blind... which I am a bit )

     

    Screen Shot 2013-11-10 at 9.07.59 AM.png

  • by Klaus1,Helpful

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Nov 9, 2013 3:43 PM in response to charlie_juxgold
    Level 8 (48,918 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 3:43 PM in response to charlie_juxgold

    If you are anywhere near an Apple Store, go there and talk nicely to them explaining the situation. They are generally very good at downloading and installing Apple software there in situations like yours.

  • by babowa,Solvedanswer

    babowa babowa Nov 9, 2013 3:44 PM in response to charlie_juxgold
    Level 7 (32,374 points)
    iPad
    Nov 9, 2013 3:44 PM in response to charlie_juxgold

    No, the app store doesn't show sizes - you have to go to Apple support > downloads to find the file size:

     

    http://support.apple.com/downloads/

     

    The easiest way to navigate is to click on 'browse by product' then search for the one you are looking for (after checking in Software Update what it is).  It will show you the file size.

     

    And yes, I know Mavericks is more than 5 GB -  I'd take it to an Apple store and have them download it for me.

  • by charlie_juxgold,

    charlie_juxgold charlie_juxgold Nov 9, 2013 5:11 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 5:11 PM in response to babowa

    ah ha!!  Thanks soooo much!! I see it!!

     

    I know Apple stores are very good, but it's a bit of a hassle with the 27" iMac. I do have a Mac Book though so maybe I can get the apple store to download a file which I can use to ugrade that and copy to the iMac to upgrade. Good plan!

     

    Thanks for your help!

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Nov 9, 2013 6:11 PM in response to charlie_juxgold
    Level 7 (32,374 points)
    iPad
    Nov 9, 2013 6:11 PM in response to charlie_juxgold

    Good idea with the Macbook - make sure that you do NOT install while still at the store as the installer will self destruct after installing. So, copy the installer from the Applications folder to another folder or drive to use with another machine, then install. On the other machine, simply drop it into the Applications folder and double click to install.

  • by Muriel Areno,

    Muriel Areno Muriel Areno Jun 21, 2014 6:51 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apple Music
    Jun 21, 2014 6:51 PM in response to babowa

    Well isn't that just lovely. Apple (and Adobe, incidentally) need to realize that not all their customers are their ideal customer, living in a city with screaming bandwidth and bottomless pockets.
    I had the same question, and I need to know the size of updates for the same reason as the OP. Moreover, those of us who live in the boonies and have satellite  internet because it's the only thing available, are also far from Apple stores. Sixty-five miles one way in my case. I get the large updates at my daughter's house in the city.
    Thanks for the info, and no thanks to Apple for making something that worked well (the old Software Update) into an annoyance. That, and the repeated reminders to download and the insistence that I change my settings to let the Mac download automatically. If I wanted that, I would have bought a Windows PC.