Overview
Swif now lets admins push a one-off OS update to Apple Devices directly from its Device Details page—no policy editing required. Use it when you need to patch an Apple device, ship the latest beta to a developer, or close a zero-day faster than your standard ring-based policy.
This feature is similar in spirit to Windows on‑demand updates, but is implemented separately for Windows.
For the Windows version, see Adhoc OS Updates for Windows Devices.
For Linux, see Adhoc Linux OS updates.
What you’ll see
UI area | What it shows |
Updates tab (new) | A live feed of every OS update Apple has advertised to that Device ▷ OS name, version, “Allows Install Later”, release date, and current status ( |
Manage ▸ Update OS | A wizard that lets you pick the install action and an optional target version for an immediate update. |
Step-by-step
Open Device Details → choose the Mac you want to patch.
Click the Updates tab to confirm the versions Apple is offering.
Pick Manage ▸ Update OS.
Select an Install Action:
Option | Behaviour | When to use |
Install as soon as possible (default) | Downloads immediately, installs at next opportunity (user can defer once). | Routine patches. |
Download & schedule to install | Automatically download and schedule to install the OS update on the selected device | This feature is available only for devices running macOS 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17 or later. |
5. (Optional) Pick a Target Version from the drop-down. If left blank, macOS takes the newest eligible build.
6. Click Continue to queue the command.
What happens under the hood
Phase | Detail |
Queueing | The command enters the high-priority “MDM” queue. Device Lock/Wipe still outrank it, but it jumps ahead of inventory collection or low-risk policies. |
Delivery | Swif uses Apple Push Notification service (APNs) to wake the Apple Device. |
Timeouts | If the Mac is offline, the command will stay in the queue for 30 days. |
Status updates | A full command trail appears in the Commands tab. |
Policy coexistence | Per-device actions do not override your fleet-wide regular Software Update policy; they simply run once. If a conflict arises, whichever action reaches the device first wins. |
Why does the device say the update is "past due"?
When you choose an "install as soon as possible" action (Download & install or Download, install & restart), the Apple device may show Apple's standard "past due" software update message. This is expected and doesn't mean anything is wrong.
iOS:
macOS:
Question | Answer |
Why it happens | Apple's declarative (DDM) update enforcement always needs an install deadline. To install as soon as possible, Swif sets a deadline that has already passed in every time zone. |
What the user sees | Apple's standard "past due" software update message. |
What happens next | The device installs the update within the next hour. |
Do I need to do anything? | No. You can follow progress in the Commands tab. |
Tip: If you want the update to install at a specific time instead, use Download & schedule to install. This is available only for devices running macOS 14, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17 or later.
Requirements & limitations
macOS 14 / iOS 17 / iPadOS 17 or later, enrolled with Swif MDM & APNs reachable.
“Download, install & restart” and deferral enforcement require supervised Macs (ABM/ASM ADE or User-Approved MDM + macOS 15 Sequoia).
Declarative Device Management (DDM) features—e.g., Software Update at Night—use Apple’s new scheduling keys and may supersede ad-hoc actions if both target the same patch.
Best practices
Combine with a macOS Software Update policy for low-touch fleet hygiene, reserving ad-hoc pushes for emergencies.
Encourage users to keep lids open and power connected overnight; updates that miss the window will install at next launch.
Need to force a reboot right now? Choose Download, install & restart—Swif will download the build, install, and trigger a reboot as soon as the Mac confirms the payload. As always, you can audit every step in the Commands tab via Swif’s webhook events.