Swif now lets admins push a one-off macOS update to any single Mac directly from its Device Details page—no policy editing required. Use it when you need to patch a VIP’s laptop, ship the latest beta to a developer, or close a zero-day faster than your standard ring-based policy.
What you’ll see
UI area | What it shows |
Updates tab (new) | A live feed of every macOS update Apple has advertised to that Mac ▷ 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 |
Download & install (default) | Downloads immediately, installs at next opportunity (user can defer once). | Routine patches. |
Download only | Caches the update; user triggers install later. | Low-bandwidth sites, staged roll-outs. |
Notify user | macOS Software Update banner only. No auto download. | Informational / last-chance reminder before enforcing via policy. |
Download, install & allow deferral | Installs, but user may click Later up to your Max Deferral count (set in Software Update Policy). | User-centric orgs needing “nudge” rather than force. |
Download, install & restart | Forces a reboot once install finishes (supervised Macs only). | Urgent security fixes, kiosks. |
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 Mac; fallback polling occurs every 30 min. |
Timeouts | If the command is sent but macOS hasn’t replied within 15 minutes, it retries automatically. If the Mac is offline, the command will stay in 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 Software Update at Night or regular Software Update policy; they simply run once. If a conflict arises, whichever action reaches the device first wins. |
Requirements & limitations
macOS 11 (Big Sur) 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
Test first on a pilot Mac to verify driver or app compatibility.
Combine with a macOS Software Update at Night 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.