What does Software update deferment mean for macOS in Hexnode?Solved

Participant
Discussion
2 weeks ago Jul 04, 2026

I’m looking at the macOS Advanced Restrictions section in a Hexnode policy and noticed the setting called Software update deferment. If I set it to 15 days, what exactly happens on the Mac? Is this for macOS operating system updates, and does it delay the update from being installed?

Replies (3)

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Hexnode Expert
2 weeks ago Jul 04, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

Hi @maatthew,

Software update deferment on macOS is used to delay the visibility and installation of macOS operating system updates on managed devices.

If the deferment value is set to 15 days, the macOS update is deferred for 15 days from its release or availability to the device. During this deferment period, the update is not immediately made available for installation on the managed Mac. Once the 15-day period ends, the update is no longer deferred and can proceed with installation according to the device’s update behavior and management settings.

Hexnode allows macOS software updates to be deferred for up to 90 days using this restriction.

Regards,
Sienna Carter
Hexnode UEM

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Participant
2 weeks ago Jul 04, 2026
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So this setting is only for macOS OS updates, not regular app updates from the App Store or other apps, right?

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Hexnode Expert
2 weeks ago Jul 04, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

Hi @maatthew,

The Software update deferment option under Advanced Restrictions in macOS applies to operating system updates. It is intended to help admins postpone macOS update visibility and installation on managed Macs for a defined number of days, up to a maximum of 90 days.

Regards,
Sienna Carter
Hexnode UEM

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