If you’re reading this, chances are you’re tired of seeing that pesky Software Update notification on your Mac and you want to know how to stop it from trying to update to the latest operating system, macOS Big Sur. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there are several ways to stop your Mac from updating to Big Sur. In this article, we’ll discuss various methods to prevent your Mac from updating to the latest macOS version.
Methods to Stop Mac from Updating macOS Big Sur
Method 1: Disable Automatic Updates
The first method to prevent your Mac from updating to macOS Big Sur is by disabling automatic updates. Follow these steps to disable automatic updates on your Mac:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on “Software Update.”
4. Uncheck the box next to “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”
5. Close the window.
With this method, your Mac will no longer automatically check for updates or download them, giving you control over when you want to update your Mac.
Method 2: Delete the macOS Big Sur Installer
The second method to prevent your Mac from updating to macOS Big Sur is by deleting the macOS Big Sur installer. Follow these steps to delete the installer:
1. Click on the “Finder” icon on your dock.
2. Click on “Applications” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Scroll down to find the “Install macOS Big Sur” application.
4. Right-click on the application and select “Move to Trash.”
5. Enter your admin password when prompted.
6. Empty the trash.
Now, your Mac won’t have the macOS Big Sur installer to install, preventing it from updating to the latest operating system.
Method 3: Disable the Big Sur Update Notification
The third method to stop the macOS Big Sur update notification is by disabling it. This method doesn’t prevent your Mac from updating to the latest operating system, but it prevents the constant annoying notifications. Follow these steps to disable the macOS Big Sur update notification:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on “Software Update.”
4. Click on “Advanced.”
5. Uncheck the box next to “Check for updates.”
6. Close the window.
With this method, your Mac won’t notify you with a red badge on the System Preferences icon or a pop-up notification, indicating a new update is available.
Concluding Thoughts on Stopping Mac from Updating to macOS Big Sur
Updating to the latest operating system can sometimes cause problems, or you might not be ready for a new OS. Luckily, you can stop your Mac from updating to macOS Big Sur by using the methods mentioned above. Whether you want to disable automatic updates, delete the macOS Big Sur installer, or disable the Big Sur update notification, you now have the necessary information to do so.
FAQs about Stopping Mac from Updating to macOS Big Sur
1. Did Apple remove the ability to “Ignore” or “Defer” updates?
Yes, Apple removed the ability to “Ignore” or “Defer” updates with macOS Big Sur. Once an update is available, you can either update your Mac or disable automatic updates and prevent your Mac from updating to the latest operating system.
2. Will my Mac be vulnerable if I don’t update to macOS Big Sur?
Your Mac might be vulnerable if you don’t update to the latest operating system. Still, it’s essential to balance the potential security risks with the need for stability, compatibility, or any other reason you might have for not updating your Mac to macOS Big Sur.
3. Can I revert to my previous macOS version if I’ve already updated to macOS Big Sur?
Yes, if you’ve already updated to macOS Big Sur, you can revert to your previous macOS version if you created a backup before updating to Big Sur. You can do this by booting into macOS Recovery mode and using the “Restore from Time Machine Backup” feature to restore your Mac’s backup.
