Disable automatic updates
- macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
- Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
- Impact: High
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
- Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
- 7 scripts
- No subcategories
- Administrative (sudo) access requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
This category contains scripts to disable automatic operating system updates.
Disabling automatic updates gives users full control over when and which updates are applied to their system. It improves privacy by preventing unwanted data collection, new vulnerabilities and unapproved changes to system settings.
Disabling automatic updates can leave your system vulnerable to unpatched exploits. Manually check and apply updates to stay protected.
- Not Advised
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a Time Machine backup before doing any changes.
- Security Trade-off
This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.
Increased Privacy
Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Apply Now
Choose one of two ways to apply:
Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)
- Military-grade privacy protection
- Major system impact
- Consider having Time Machine backup.
Read more about Maximum and other protection levels
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic updates" using script
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on the button above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Shows the code
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic updates" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the category name: Disable automatic updates
- Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
Explore This Guide
- 7 Privacy settings
Choose what to protect based on your needs: Click any option to learn more about what it does. Each change can be applied and reversed individually.
Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
Disable automatic checks for updates
Cheatsheet for macOS users: disable automatic checks for updates to reduce data leaks for enhanced information privacy. Let me add, this update provides instructions to roll back any edits. System privacy safeguard ensures autonomy in decision-making, a cornerstone of personal freedom. Start via tutorial for sensitive data privacy maintenance options: choose the (Reference: option) that helps you move ahead. Accuracy during each step prevents the need for reversals. Reference: https://archi...
Disable automatic downloads for updates
MacOS secure data privacy enforcement: disable automatic downloads for updates in a few steps on this document that explains how to reduce data spying to improve secure privacy enforcement. For an added point, you'll learn how to return to the default setup on this entry. Maintaining system data privacy control helps preserve the diversity of thought. This guide improves cyber data privacy enforcement settings: pick a (Reference: route that suits you). Confirm your actions are correct before pr...
Disable automatic installation of macOS updates
This script stops macOS from automatically installing updates. This script improves privacy by reducing unwanted data collection and ensuring updates don't change settings or data without your approval. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) advises against automatic updates in scenarios where changes require thorough testing and approval processes to avoid operational disruptions. This script configures following to stop macOS from installing updates automatically: 1. `/Library/Preferences/com....
Disable automatic app updates from the App Store
This script disables automatic app updates from the App Store. It prevents automatic installation of application updates as soon as they become available from Apple. Thus, applications are updated only when you choose to do so. Disabling automatic updates prevents unexpected app behavior or settings changes. It helps you to maintain your current app configurations and privacy settings. It also protects against potential zero-day vulnerabilities in your apps. This gives you the ability to choose ...
Disable macOS beta release installation
Follow this how-to: disable macOS beta release installation on your macOS system to protect your files through the use of sensitive data privacy enforcement. By extension, this user configuration supports you in discovering how to undo the customization. Trust in digital technologies is strengthened by digital privacy defenses. Ready to set up online data privacy management preferences? Just, use the guide to (Reference: submit your application). Every step matters, so follow the instructions c...
Disable automatic installation for configuration data (e.g. XProtect, Gatekeeper, MRT)
To prevent unauthorized access to your data as part of personal data integration, this guidebook shows the path to learning: disable automatic installation for configuration data (e.g. XProtect, Gatekeeper, MRT) macOS. Deepening this, steps to undo and return to default are included in this module. Trust in digital and physical realms grows through cyber privacy guardrail. To adjust system data privacy security by following enhancement on this page, review and apply now using the full [detai...
Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates
This script stops automatic installations of critical updates, including security and system data file updates. It improves privacy by providing: Users can review updates before installation to ensure they meet privacy standards and do not introduce unwanted telemetry or changes. Reduces how often it connects to update servers, potentially protection user information. Control Over Update Timing: • Reduced External Communications: The script configures the `/Library/Preferences/com.apple....
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Wider Goal
The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
MacOS important privacy control: privacy over security in a few steps on this system preference that simplifies the process of how to manage online privacy safegua...
Same Goal
Other guides in Privacy over securitySee settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
undergroundwires- Certified security professional
- 7+ years experience securing banks
- Open-source developer since 2005
- EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
- Open-Source Contributors
- Hundreds across the globe
- Testers, reviewers, developers
- Companies, military agencies
- Community since 2017
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.