How to Update Apps on Mac Using Terminal

Terminal is a command-line interface that allows you to interact with your Mac’s operating system using text commands. Homebrew, on the other hand, is a package manager that simplifies the installation, updating, and management of software on macOS. It uses a simple command-line interface to handle software packages, making it an essential tool for developers and power users.

To use Homebrew, you first need to install it. Open Terminal and paste the following command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Updating Apps with Homebrew

Once Homebrew is installed, updating your apps is straightforward. Follow these steps:

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• Open Terminal.
• Type brew update and press Enter. This command updates Homebrew itself and the list of available packages.
• Next, type brew upgrade and press Enter. This command upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions.

If you want to update a specific app, use the command brew upgrade [formula], replacing [formula] with the name of the app.

Automating Updates

Automating app updates can save time and ensure your software is always up-to-date. You can create a simple script to automate the update process:

#!/bin/bash
brew update
brew upgrade
brew cleanup

Save this script as update.sh, make it executable with chmod +x update.sh, and run it periodically or set it up as a cron job.

Using Terminal for Non-Homebrew Apps

Not all apps are managed by Homebrew. For apps installed via the Mac App Store, you can use the mas command-line tool. Install mas using Homebrew:

brew install mas

To update all apps from the Mac App Store, use:

mas upgrade

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Occasionally, you might encounter issues when updating apps via Terminal. Common problems include outdated Homebrew formulas or permission errors. To resolve these:

• Ensure Homebrew is updated by running brew update.
• Check for permission issues by running sudo chown -R $(whoami) $(brew –prefix)/*.
• If an app fails to update, try reinstalling it using brew reinstall [formula].

Best Practices for Using Terminal

When using Terminal to update apps, follow these best practices:

• Regularly update Homebrew and its formulas to ensure compatibility.
• Backup your system before performing bulk updates.
• Use scripts to automate repetitive tasks, reducing the chance of human error.