When you run Software Update on computers, you can choose whether updates are installed from Apple’s Software Update server or an internal software update server.

You can run Software Update on computers by using a policy.

Note: Computers with Apple silicon (i.e., M1 chip) cannot be updated using a policy if a restart is required. Use the Download/Download and Install Updates remote command to update the computer. For more information, see Remote Commands for Computers.

General Requirements

To have computers install updates from an internal software update server, the software update server must be in Jamf Pro. For more information, see Software Update Servers.

Running Software Update Using a Policy

Log in to Jamf Pro.
Click Computers at the top of the page.
Click Policies.
Click New .
Use the General payload to configure basic settings for the policy, including the trigger and execution frequency.
Select the Software Updates payload and click Configure.
Specify a server for computers to install software updates from.
Use the Restart Options payload to configure settings for restarting computers.
Click the Scope tab and configure the scope of the policy.
(Optional) Click the Self Service tab and make the policy available in Self Service.
(Optional) Click the User Interaction tab and configure messaging and deferral options.
Click Save .

The policy runs on computers in the scope the next time they check in with Jamf Pro and meet the criteria in the General payload.

Related Information

For related information, see the following sections in this guide:

About Policies
Learn the basics about policies.
Policy Management
Find out how to create policies, view the plan and status for a policy, and view and flush policy logs.
Items Available to Users in Jamf Self Service for macOS
Find out how to make items available to users in Jamf Self Service for macOS.
User Interaction with Policies
Find out how to configure user interaction with policies.

For related information, see the following Best Practice Workflow for Jamf Pro:

Updating macOS
Find out how to update macOS on computers by sending an MDM command to computers using a mass action.