How to Update MacOS Sequoia Without Installing MacOS 27 Golden Gate
If you’re still running MacOS Sequoia on your Mac, it’s probably for good reason. Whether that’s due to specific app compatibility, workflow, preference, or whatever else, if you have chosen not to install MacOS 27 Golden Gate let alone MacOS Tahoe 26, you’ll likely want to continue to stay on MacOS Sequoia. But Apple’s Software Update settings panel is fairly aggressive with the upgrade pitch to MacOS 27 Golden Gate, just like they were for Tahoe, and if you’re running MacOS Sequoia and would like to simply update MacOS Sequoia without installing MacOS 27 Golden Gate, read along to understand how this works.
And to be clear, MacOS 27 Golden Gate is a pretty good operating system, and for most users it’s an upgrade over MacOS Tahoe, and some even for Sequoia. This is simply aimed at users who have determined that they want to stay on MacOS Sequoia, and apply updates to MacOS Sequoia.
How to Update MacOS Sequoia and NOT Install MacOS 27
- From  Apple menu go to System Settings as usual
- Go to “General” and to “Software Update”
- Scroll down below the large “MacOS 27” Golden Gate download that is at the top of the screen, look instead for the “Also Available” section below the MacOS 27 banner promotion
- Here you will find “MacOS Sequoia” updates available where you can click to update now or later *
If you don’t see any MacOS Sequoia 15.x.x update aside from the prominent “MacOS 27” banner at the top, there are no updates available. You can always refresh Software Update by hitting Command+R if you need to be sure.
* Warning: Watch the (i) Info Button Behavior
Be aware that if you click on the (i) button next to a version of MacOS Sequoia to get more information about that system update, you will find “MacOS 27” is now selected to install, and NOT the version of MacOS Sequoia that is available.
This is really unfortunate behavior of that interaction, but it has been the default for a while in MacOS now.
Be very mindful of this, because if you’re in this (i) update information screen to read the release notes for example, and you click on “Update Now” without unselecting MacOS 27 and specifically selecting the MacOS Sequoia update, then you will inadvertently install MacOS 27.
If you choose “Update Now” button that is alongside the update for MacOS Sequoia within the Software Update screen, that will properly update Sequoia.
Once the update has begun you will be able to watch the progress bar as usual, before the Mac restarts to complete installation.
Another Sequoia update approach: use full installers
You can also update MacOS Sequoia to the latest available version (or to any version of Sequoia for that matter) by using the full installer. We maintain a list of all MacOS Sequoia installers that can be downloaded here, as well as a broader resource for all available versions of MacOS installers to download here.
Why still run Sequoia?
Many users choose to delay or avoid certain system software versions, for myriad reasons, including simply personal preference.
I personally continue to run MacOS Sequoia on an older first-gen M1 MacBook Pro (with Touch Bar!), and intentionally so. Performance of MacOS Sequoia on this Mac is really good, and the computer still feels remarkably fast and does everything I need it to do with Sequoia. I also like the simplicity of the MacOS Sequoia interface, before Liquid Glass came on scene. Perhaps down the road I will install a different operating system, but for now I like how MacOS Sequoia runs, and looks, on this MacBook Pro. Plus, Sequoia continues to receive security updates from Apple, making it secure as well as nice looking.
Regardless of the reason you’re still running MacOS Sequoia, you’ll want to keep it updated when possible, and so be mindful as you install those updates to not accidentally install MacOS 27.
