Managed Software Updates End User Experience for Computers

Jamf Pro Documentation 11.16.0

Solution
Application
Content Type
Technical Documentation
Utilities & Services
version
11.16.0
ft:locale
en-US
vrm_version
11.16.0

Sending update commands via managed software updates to computers belonging to smart or static groups results in specific behavior depending on the type of update command. Each command and their behavior on the end user's computer is defined below:

  • Download onlyThe update downloads on the target computer, but no install action takes place. The update is made available to install in System Settings. Further action is required by the end user to initiate the installation of the update.
    Screenshot of macOS system settings with a macOS download in progress
  • Download and installThe update downloads on the target computer and an installation attempt is automatically initiated. If the computer is asleep or if the user is logged out when the command is received, installation is attempted when the computer wakes up or the user logs back in to the computer.
  • Download and schedule to install (via declarative device management)A declaration containing an update command is sent to the computer. The update executes at the scheduled time based on the local time of the computer. If the computer is asleep or if the user is logged out when the command is received, installation is triggered when the computer wakes up or the user logs back in to the computer. After the update completes, the computer proactively reports to Jamf Pro. Because an authorization token is generated with the users login credentials, the end user does not need to log in to the computer for the update to install. No action from the end user is necessary.
    Screenshot of a scheduled managed update notification
  • Download, install, and allow deferralThe update downloads on the target computer and installation is automatically initiated. The end user will have an option to defer. Each deferral delays the installation for 24 hours. Once the predetermined number of deferrals have been used, the update installs automatically.
    Screenshot of a deferral notification
    Note:

    Download, install, and allow deferral is only supported for minor updates.

  • Download, install, and restartThe update downloads on the target computer and installation is automatically initiated with a 60-second countdown prior to restart. There is no option to prolong the countdown. The computer then restarts and the update is installed.
    Warning:Download, install, and restart can cause data loss because the computer will restart without warning when the countdown completes.
    Screenshot of a restart notification