How to List All Updates on macOS

Every application eventually receives updates, which may add new features or fix bugs. Similarly, the macOS operating system gets its own updates from time to time. However, these updates often come bundled together, and it isn’t always clear exactly what was updated. For this reason, you might want to see a list of recently updated applications and software on your Mac. The way macOS records update history can vary depending on the version you’re using.

In this article, we will show you easy methods to view all recent updates on most macOS systems. These steps are straightforward and should work without any problems.

1. Listing All Recent Updates through Terminal

The Terminal is a command-line app that allows you to control and make changes to your Mac. You can find the Terminal app in the Utilities folder inside your Applications folder. Alternatively, you can quickly access it using Spotlight search. Using Terminal, you can view a list of all recent updates with a simple command.

1. Hold the Command key and press Space to open Spotlight. Type Terminal in the search bar and press Enter to open it.

   

2. Type the following command and press Enter to see a list of all recent updates:

   softwareupdate --history

   

3. The list will show the version and date for each update.
4. If you add the word –all to the command, like this:

   softwareupdate --history --all

   it will also display installer packages in the list.

   

2. Listing all Recent Updates through System Information

The System Information app on macOS gives you a detailed overview of your software, hardware, and network. Here, you can see information about all the applications that have been recently installed or updated. This method gives you a clear and organized view, and you don’t have to type any commands.

1. Hold the Command key and press Space to open Spotlight. Type System Information and press Enter to open it.

   

2. In the left panel, scroll down and click on Applications under the Software section. You’ll see a list of all your installed apps, along with the last modified date for each one.

   

3. You can also view other software by selecting the Installations option under the Software section. This will show you a complete list of installed updates.