Nudge for macOS

What is Nudge?

Nudge is an application that Weitzman School of Design IT uses to let staff and faculty know about macOS updates or upgrades available for your Apple devices. When new macOS updates come out and are approved for use with Penn systems and software, a Nudge window will be sent out to all WSOD Mac devices.

How to use Nudge

Nudge will prompt your device with the required update and instructions, similar to the image below:

Nudge will prompt your Mac device with the required update and instructions, similar to this image.

If you are ready to update now, click the Update Device button. This will open the regular macOS System Preferences Software Update screen.

If you need more time, click "I understand," which will let you choose the next time you'll be reminded of this update.

Please keep in mind that this update will need to take place by a certain date, which is indicated by the "Days Remaining to Update" message. If you do not take care of this update within the indicated time frame, the pop-up message will become more insistent.

What if Software Update never stops checking or doesn't show updates?

Sometimes Software Update gets stuck in an incorrect state.  Pressing Command+R will usually refresh the Software Update.

What won't Nudge do?

Nudge will not automatically update your machine or restart the computer. Nudge is just a notification tool to let you know when updates are required for your computer.

Nudge also will not interrupt you if you are in the middle of a Zoom call, PowerPoint, video playback, or other full screen activity.

What do I do if I don't want to upgrade to Sonoma?

If your computer is still on an older macOS version and you are not yet ready to upgrade to the newest version, you don't have to!

Follow these instructions to install macOS updates for your current OS version instead:

  1. Click "Update Device" button.
    If prompted to update, click "Update Device" button.
  2. When the Software Update window opens, scroll down to the bottom and click More Info.
    When the Software Update window opens, scroll down to the bottom and click More Info. This will allow you to avoid upgrading to a newer operating system version, while still installing important updates to your current operating system version.
    When the Software Update window opens, scroll down to the bottom and click More Info. This will allow you to avoid upgrading to a newer operating system version, while still installing important updates to your current operating system version.
  3. A new window will open that says "Updates are available for your Mac." Make sure each update is selected. Then click "Install Now."
    A new window will open that says "Updates are available for your Mac." Make sure each update is selected. Then click "Install Now."
  4. This will install any remaining security updates, point updates (such as going from 13.6.1 to 13.6.2), or device updates for your machine. Once the updates are installed, the computer will need to restart. Afterwards, open Software Update again to make sure there are no remaining updates.

More help

If you have any questions, please contact your support person by emailing ithelp@design.upenn.edu.