Apple persists on software updates. Since the updates are free, it is not exactly a monetary motivation, although new versions of macOS have an increasing number of services, like the new TV application from Catalina, which inherits the previous functionality of iTunes and allow Apple TV + subscriptions upon arrival.
Many people are simply not ready for macOS 10.15 Catalina and may be waiting for a “point one” version – 10.15.1 – or “never”. How can you prevent a persistent update reminder and badge? This involves command line instructions.
Warning!
Whenever you are working on the command line, you need to enter instructions exactly and it is best to have a current full backup before you start just in case.
Warning!
Turning off update notifications may mean that you are missing important security updates for your current version of macOS. Be aware of other updates if you continue this course.
How to stop Catalina update reminders
Apple replicates many of its utilities that appear with graphical interfaces in macOS as terminal commands. This includes the software update. Follow these steps to stop the reminders and remove the red badge from System Preferences showing an update.
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Launch System Preferences and click Software update.
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Click on Advanced.
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Uncheck the first three boxes: Check for updates, DDownload new updates when available, and Install macOS updates.
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Click on Okay.
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Launch now Applications> Utilities> Terminal.
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Enter the following commands below, copy and paste each line, then press Return at the end.
sudo softwareupdate --ignore "macOS Catalina"
defaults write com.apple.systempreferences AttentionPrefBundleIDs 0
killall Dock
The first item disables updates for macOS Catalina; the second and third prevent the red badge in System Preferences and restart the Dock (without affecting the rest of your system) to reset the state of the System Preferences icon.
The red badge will return, however, each time macOS checks for updates. Opening the software update preference can trigger this verification, which causes the badge to reappear!
If you want to get updates that include macOS Catalina, go back to the terminal and enter this command, followed by Return:
sudo softwareupdate --reset-ignored
This Mac 911 article answers a question asked by the Macworld Koen reader.
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