To update macOS applications, you can use three methods to efficiently operate: 1. Open the App Store, click the profile icon to enter "Account Settings", click "Update All" in the "Update" section or update one by one; 2. Advanced users can run brew outdated in Terminal to view the applications to be updated, then use brew upgrade to upgrade ordinary applications, brew upgrade --cask to upgrade cask applications; 3. For applications not installed in the App Store or Homebrew, you can find updates in the app or visit the developer's website to manually download the latest version. In addition, some third-party applications such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, etc. come with automatic update functions, so you must ensure that the relevant settings are enabled. Combining the above methods can fully maintain the latest application.

If your macOS apps aren't running smoothly or you're missing the latest features, it's probably time to update them. Keeping your applications current is important for performance, security, and compatibility. Here's how to do it efficiently.

Check the App Store for Updates

The most straightforward way to update most of your macOS applications — especially those downloaded from the Mac App Store — is through the App Store app itself.

• Open the App Store from your Applications folder or via Spotlight.
• Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Account Settings..."
• Look for the Updates section. If there are pending updates, you'll see a list here.
• You can either click Update All or update apps individually.

You can also go directly to the "Updates" tab in the sidebar to view available updates at a glance.

This method works best for apps that were originally installed through the App Store. Third-party apps may not show up here unless they were distributed through Apple's platform.

Use Terminal for Bulk Updates (for Advanced Users)

If you're comfortable with the command line and have apps managed through package managers like Homebrew, you can update them all quickly using Terminal.

• Open Terminal .
• Type brew outdated to see which apps need updating.
• Run brew upgrade to update them all at once.
• For cask apps (GUI-based apps installed via Homebrew), use brew upgrade --cask .

This approach isn't for everyone — especially if you're not already using Homebrew — but it's fast and efficient if you're familiar with the tools.

Manually Update Third-Party Apps

Some apps, especially those downloaded from independent developers or websites, don't update through the App Store or Homebrew.

Here's what to do:

• Open the app and look for an "Check for Updates" option under the app menu (usually under Help or the app name).
• If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
• Alternatively, visit the developer's website and manually download the latest version.

This method takes more effort, but it ensures you're getting the most recent release directly from the source.

Also, some apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, or Slack includes their own auto-update mechanisms, so make sure those services are enabled in the app settings.

Updating apps on macOS doesn't have to be complicated, but it depends on where you got them from. The App Store handles many updates automatically if you enable background downloads, but third-party and developer tools often require a bit more attention. A mix of these methods usually covers everything without too much hassle.

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